Those who follow scientific news have probably heard of #LK99, an hexagonal crystalline structure (CuO₂₅P₆Pb₉) manufactured at Korea University which would unlock the holy grail of superconductivity at room temperature and pressure.

My two reactions after reading the paper were:

1. Darn, the data collected in this research seems more convincing than other bollock claims of room temperature superconductivity I've read in the past.

2. Darn, the elements and the process used to create this wonder material are very common, and the experiment could be easily replicated by any physics lab with some lead, copper and an oven that can reach 1000 °C.

After a few days, we've finally got some data from other researchers around the world trying to replicate the same results of the original experiment.

And we may be up for a bit of a disappointment: none of those who repeated the experiment has managed so far to get the same results of the Korean researchers.

What surprises me is that these folks have come up with very different results - some experiments have resulted in a semiconductor, others in an insulator, others in a partial superconductor (either replicating levitation, or diamagnetism, but not both). Which is quite surprising for an experiment that was supposed to be straightforward, with off-the-shelf elements and processes.

Many experiments are still in progress and may still change the outcome, but so far it seems that the original research may (at the very least) require another round of refinement to explain how exactly this compound should be manufactured - or it may just join an increasing list of false claims around room temperature superconductivity.

Is any of the wonderful science folks on my contacts list currently in the process of replicating this experiment too? If so, feel free to share your findings!

p.s. How come gaming forums have become the main place to share a lot of important knowledge?