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SCIENCE
LK-99: Is It a Superconductor?
Reporter: Jung, Yuseok
On the 22nd of last month, a domestic joint research well and nonconductors not running electricity according to their
team (research team), including Quantum Energy Research electrical properties. Semiconductors are materials that have
Institute, unveiled LK-99 through 'Archive,' a pre-release electrical conductivity between conductors and nonconductors. A
site for the paper. The research team explained that LK-99 phenomenon in which electrical resistance such as metal, alloy,
is a superconductor that can maintain at room temperature semiconductor, or organic compound suddenly disappears at
of about 30°C. The research team said it has implemented cryogenic temperatures below the critical temperature (resistance
superconductors by baking copper and 0) and current flows without obstacles is
lead about 1,000 times over 20 years. called a superconducting phenomenon. It
The domestic and international is also semi-magnetic, forming a magnetic
verification of this is skeptical. Kim field in the opposite direction to the
Hyun-tak, a 65-year-old research external magnetic field. Superconductors are
professor at William & Mary University substances that cause this superconducting
in the U.S., said in an email interview phenomenon.
with Money Today on the 19th, "Now Previously developed superconductors
is not the time (to mention various were significantly less economical
controversies) because the paper judges because they only exhibit this property
are currently reviewing (reviewing) LK- in cryogenic temperatures below minus
99, so there will be an opportunity to 200 degrees Celsius or high-pressure
explain it later." environments. However, room-temperature
The British Science Journal 'Nature' superconductors exhibit superconductivity at
concluded that LK-99 in the Korean research team was a room temperature, and expectations for commercialization have
material containing copper sulfide impurities, and copper sulfide increased.
had a sharp drop in resistance at this particular temperature LK-99 is a material presumed to be a room-temperature
(104 degrees Celsius) and that LK-99 showed almost the same superconductor and is gray-black. LK-99 has a modified
phenomenon as superconductivity. However, domestic scholars hexagonal structure in which a lead-phosphorus stone structure
who participated in the study still claim that LK-99 is a room- is doped with a small amount of copper. The material was
temperature superconductor, leading to controversy. discovered and manufactured for the first time by a research
Materials are divided into conductors conducting electricity team of Lee, Seokbae and Kim, Jihoon at Korea University.
TECHNOLOGY
Self-driving Car Technology Can Change Our Lives
Reporter: Jung, Yuseok
Recently, Auto companies have released new types of cars, because eating while on the go will be more convenient if they
such as electric, hybrid, and self-driving cars. Among them, use self-driving cars.
let's look at the profits that self-driving vehicles bring. Second, using self-driving vehicles will decrease car accidents
Self-driving cars are one of the vehicles that operate and medical expenses. Even though an accident happens, the
independently without human manipulation. In a Business Insider self-driving car can serve as an ambulance. Moreover, the
report, Gene Munster, the managing partner at Deepwater Asset number of people visiting a car repair shop for maintenance will
Management, said that licensing Tesla's autonomous vehicle decrease. A new car racing competition for self-driving cars
software to other cars has great financial potential. He also said could be established.
that in five years, annual sales will Third, what if self-driving cars equip
increase to $20 billion, and full self- a system for the visually impaired and
driving software licenses will increase the transportation disadvantaged? They
operating profit by about 20% in 10 will own their car without controlling
years. steering wheels, stepping accelerators, or
So, what is the industry change brakes. So, self-driving car promotions
that fully self-driving vehicles will for people with disabilities will be more
bring? First, experts in strategy active.
analytics, technology consultancy, and As you read above, self-driving cars
the real estate industry said that the will change our lives, and many people
value of the outer areas will increase can benefit from self-driving car
since commuting will become more technologies. That's why many vehicle
convenient because of self-driving companies and their technicians are
cars. In addition, the 'drive-through' developing more efficient operating
restaurant industry will be booming systems for self-driving vehicles.
English Newspaper of Inha University High School
