The holy grail of materials science, room-temperature superconductors, could soon become a reality if experiments by scientists in South Korea and now China prove true.

According to reports in the last week, South Korean scientists have conducted success with room temperature superconducting, from a breakthrough material called LK-99.

On Tuesday, Chinese media reported Scientists there had replicated the experiments.

“We believe that our new development will be a brand-new historical event that opens a new era for humankind,” the authors wrote in one of two preprint papers of their findings uploaded to the internet. (Neither paper has been peer-reviewed).

Reports said LK-99 is synthesized through a solid-state reaction between lanarkite (Pb2SO5) and copper phosphide (Cu3P), the materials needed are lead oxide, lead sulphate, copper and phosphorus.

The news sent the prices of some stocks soaring, including one company American Semiconductor Corp (AMSC) up over 100% and various global ‘superconductor’ stocks soared in China as speculators looked to capitalise on the hype.

Game Change for Humanity?

“As we attempt to survive the existential threat of climate change and global warming from the continued use of fossil resources. Let’s make no bones about the energy-saving ramifications of this once-in-a-lifetime game-changing discovery for humanity,” Publication ‘Advanced Science News opined.

Scientists Skeptical

There is a debate in the scientific community on the validity of the experiments and findings. Scientific American magazine notes, room-temperature superconductor breakthroughs have been announced and then shot down many times previously.

The Implications for a Lower Carbon Emissions Society

Meanwhile, the hunt is on by investors into the possible revolution, possibly one to rival the advent of AI, semiconductors and even the wheel.

There are various implications if such a material proves to work as some suggest.

Among the green possibilities are:

Much more efficient batteries, from transport to mass energy storage to electronics.

Light, efficient and fossil fuel-free range for air, sea, and land transportation.

Increased efficiency in energy distribution networks, which may mean much more efficient and lower emissions of energy use. One estimate suggests a 7% reduction in global power usage could be achieved. 

Other implications:

Super-fast magnetic trains and other transportation.

Quantum computers, for everyday consumer products and households. 

Cheaper, more effective and efficient medical imaging devices.

Superconductor Minerals Boom? 

The LK-99 material is made from key base metals, including lead, copper, and phosphate.

If the material is the holy grail as some hope, demand and speculative pricing for those key metals (and mining companies associated with them) could soar.