3 comments

  • human_llm 4 hours ago
    I found it odd that they call it high-temperature, but then perform all their experiments at 4.2 K. Also, at 4.2 K, the magnet performs worse than established Nb-Ti technology, so it doesn't seem to be a significant advancement.
    • scythe 3 hours ago
      High-temperature superconductor refers to the critical temperature at zero field. But the crucial field decreases sharply with temperature, so the superconducting phase appears concave on a T–B phase diagram. Therefore, in order to operate superconducting magnets at high field, liquid helium is necessary irrespective of the superconducting transition temperature (critical temperature).
      • namibj 41 minutes ago
        Liquid hydrogen cooled superconductors (20K) would be good especially if we manage to use some materials that don't suffer hydrogen embrittlement processed/machined economically enough to really play out the cost benefits of not relying on the rare noble gas.
  • Simboo 4 hours ago
    That’s awesome!!!!
  • fnord77 4 hours ago
    don't MRI machines run at temps around 4-5K?
    • human_llm 4 hours ago
      Yes, they operate at 4.2 K (liquid helium temperature).
      • stavros 51 minutes ago
        Jesus Christ, a regular MRI is cooled that close to absolute zero? Insane.