Quantum Levitation: The Coolest Science You'll See Today

[vxicepickxv]

Wow I'm learning a simplified concept of this in physics. right hand rule anybody.

Not so much here. I was thinking that exact concept at first, but then I realized that it changes the fundamental electromagnetic field around the superconductor. I don't think liquid nitrogen isn't going work for my idea. I think I need something that's going to be a little bit warmer. (Probably in the range of -170C).

 

[Mailman]

Is one of the goals of superconductor research is to create some sort of generator using superconductors and magnets?

 

[Iron Lightning]

Question: Doesn't the laws of thermodynamics disprove true super-conductivity? Is it not impossible to get absolute zero resistance in an object (though not impossible to get it really, really low, thus making it look like no energy is lost)?

Yep, any temperature at all will cause some minor energy loss. It would only violate thermodynamics if it was at absolute zero, which is probably impossible due to that whole zero-point energy business.

That depends on what you think "true super-conductivity" is. Any conductor would have null resistance at absolute zero, which is unreachable. The whole point of superconductivity is that for some materials it happens above absolute zero.

Yeah, I know, I just think Realitycrash meant "superconductor that can move perpetually" by "true superconductor." It is true that even superconductors are not perpetual motion machines. That's all I was saying.

 

[ShAmMz0r]

Yeah, I know, I just think Realitycrash meant "superconductor that can move perpetually" by "true superconductor." It is true that even superconductors are not perpetual motion machines. That's all I was saying.

Well you can trap some current in superconductive ring and it will go around as long as the ring stays cold enough. That's the idea behind SMES [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMES]. Don't rightly know what exactly you meant by "perpetual motion machines" here.

 

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

Odd, I thought the most exciting thing was that the interviewer sounded a little like Jeff Goldblum.

 

[ssgt splatter]

The force is strong with this one.

That is cool.

 

[Iron Lightning]

Yeah, I know, I just think Realitycrash meant "superconductor that can move perpetually" by "true superconductor." It is true that even superconductors are not perpetual motion machines. That's all I was saying.

Well you can trap some current in superconductive ring and it will go around as long as the ring stays cold enough. That's the idea behind SMES [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMES]. Don't rightly know what exactly you meant by "perpetual motion machines" here.

I meant a machine that moves forever without any energy input. Even SMES machines don't spin forever.

 

[McGuinty1]

Pssh, there is only one inanimate object worthy of our worship:

 

[wgering]

SMES is just a storage method (it's right there in the acronym); you have to put in energy in order to get any back out. It is just a very efficient method of energy storage.

If you want to waste an afternoon, check out http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/unwork.htm

Bonus points if you can explain why they can't work (no peeking!)

I'm sure if the Internet had existed when these were conceived, there would be videos galore (faked, obviously).

 

[Draconalis]

Yeah... but can it get me a job?



I kid. I've seen such a response in other scientific threads, and was surprised it didn't pop up here.

It's neat to watch, but sadly it's not practical at all.

That being said... holy shit, I wish I had gone to high school in Australia...

 

[Reincarnatedwolfgod]

SORCERY BURN THE WITCH!!!

exactly
i might as well toss in what i said as well

it's magic i tell magic.
he is a wizard... WE MUST KILL THE WIZARD

 

[ShAmMz0r]

SMES is just a storage method (it's right there in the acronym); you have to put in energy in order to get any back out. It is just a very efficient method of energy storage.

If you want to waste an afternoon, check out http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/unwork.htm

Bonus points if you can explain why they can't work (no peeking!)

I'm sure if the Internet had existed when these were conceived, there would be videos galore (faked, obviously).

I meant a machine that moves forever without any energy input. Even SMES machines don't spin forever.

Um. I may be wrong here, but isn't superconductive ring a perpetual motion machine of the third kind? I'm only talking about storage here (not considering energy loss on cooling and conversion), so don't correct me on that count please.

 

[Saxnot]

a tech article followed up by the writer telling us he does not trust this new technology and is afraid of it in his monkey brain?
wow escapist, that's new! not like EVERY SINGLE new tech article you've done in the last 6 months at all!

 

[Russian_Assassin]

I think this calls for Dawkins' great quote:


Amazing. Think of all the potential this has!

 

[Erana]

I can't help but feel a bit disappointed that it doesn't make Jetsons sound effects... Or any sound for that matter! D:

 

[brainslurper]

Is the disk evaporating, or is it falling apart because of it's conductivity?
Edit: Just noticed the other disks on the table, that are not smoking. From someone who knows nothing about conductivity, how hard would it be to make one of these not evaporate?

 

[ShAmMz0r]

Is the disk evaporating, or is it falling apart because of it's conductivity?
Edit: Just noticed the other disks on the table, that are not smoking. From someone who knows nothing about conductivity, how hard would it be to make one of these not evaporate?

The superconductive disc itself is very thin ceramic plate. To keep it cool enough for superconductivity to take place it is encased in frozen nitrogen. What you see as "evaporating" is actually fog (water in the air around the frozen nitrogen is condensing due to low temperature). That said, frozen nitrogen is evaporating. We just don't see it directly.

In other words conductivity actually has nothing to do with evaporating. It's just that nitrogen crystals turn to liquid at 63K which then turns to gas at around 77K. As to why the discs on the table are not smoking, I have no idea. My best guess would be that we just don't see it. Or perhaps they are wrapped in some extremely good insulator, though that is unlikely.

 

[Craazhy]

Something deep within my primal instincts is telling me to punch that contraption in the face. I think its Nature being pissed the fuck off.

And I realize only an American could say this, so I apologize in advance, but never mind developing useful technology out of this science. If you just sold me the magnet pad in the first scene and the track-table I would never play Xbox again.

You hear that? That's the sound of American capitalism getting a boner.

 

[brainslurper]

Is the disk evaporating, or is it falling apart because of it's conductivity?
Edit: Just noticed the other disks on the table, that are not smoking. From someone who knows nothing about conductivity, how hard would it be to make one of these not evaporate?

The superconductive disc itself is very thin ceramic plate. To keep it cool enough for superconductivity to take place it is encased in frozen nitrogen. What you see as "evaporating" is actually fog (water in the air around the frozen nitrogen is condensing due to low temperature). That said, frozen nitrogen is evaporating. We just don't see it directly.

In other words conductivity actually has nothing to do with evaporating. It's just that nitrogen crystals turn to liquid at 63K which then turns to gas at around 77K. As to why the discs on the table are not smoking, I have no idea. My best guess would be that we just don't see it. Or perhaps they are wrapped in some extremely good insulator, though that is unlikely.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Hijax]

Problem, gravity?