Silicon becomes a superconductor

In summary, a superconductor is a material that can conduct electricity without any resistance or energy loss at extremely low temperatures. Silicon can become a superconductor when doped with certain impurities and has the potential to revolutionize electronic devices and be used in power transmission and storage. However, there are many other materials that can exhibit superconductivity and one challenge to using silicon superconductors is achieving the necessary low temperatures.
  • #1
ZapperZ
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If you missed the paper in this week's Nature, let's just say that this is an unexpected discovery. You can read a report of it in PhysicsWeb

http://physicsweb.org/articles/news/10/11/19/1

Zz.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Just an alloy...! A 9% boron doping is too much for a silicon elementar superconductor.
 
  • #3


I find the discovery of silicon becoming a superconductor to be incredibly exciting and unexpected. This is a significant breakthrough in the field of materials science and has the potential to revolutionize many industries, such as electronics and energy storage. The report on PhysicsWeb provides valuable information on the discovery and its implications, and I look forward to reading the paper in Nature to gain a deeper understanding of the research and its findings. This discovery opens up new possibilities for exploring the properties of silicon and developing new technologies. I believe that further research in this area will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of this unexpected discovery.
 

1. What is a superconductor?

A superconductor is a material that can conduct electricity with no resistance or energy loss, allowing for the flow of electricity without any loss of power. This phenomenon occurs at extremely low temperatures, typically near absolute zero.

2. How does silicon become a superconductor?

Silicon can become a superconductor when it is doped with certain impurities, such as boron or phosphorus, which add extra electrons to the material. This changes the electronic properties of silicon and allows for the flow of electricity without any resistance.

3. What are the potential applications of silicon superconductors?

Silicon superconductors have the potential to revolutionize electronic devices, as they could greatly increase the speed and efficiency of electronic circuits. They could also be used in power transmission and storage, as superconducting materials can carry large amounts of electricity without any energy loss.

4. Is silicon the only material that can become a superconductor?

No, there are many other materials that can exhibit superconductivity, such as copper, aluminum, and niobium. Each material has different properties and potential applications, and scientists are constantly researching and discovering new superconducting materials.

5. Are there any challenges to using silicon superconductors?

One challenge to using silicon superconductors is that they currently only exhibit superconductivity at extremely low temperatures, which can be difficult and expensive to achieve. Researchers are working to find ways to increase the temperature at which silicon can become a superconductor, making it more practical for real-world applications.

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