Nature magazine is the top scientific magazine in the world. It is the lifelong dream of many scientists at home and abroad to publish papers in Nature. This year's 20 18 annual selection puts the discovery of Cao Yuan, a young scientist born in 1995, at the top of the annual paper, which is enough to imagine the importance attached by the scientific community to this discovery. The cover of this issue of Nature is based on the concept of "Magic Horn" graphene.
The most exciting thing about the study of "Magic Horn" graphene is its theoretical significance for high-temperature superconductors. Although it is also made near absolute zero, it simulates the characteristics of high-temperature superconductors in a very simple form. The study of high temperature superconductors is of milestone significance. High-temperature superconductors generally refer to objects whose superconducting critical temperature is higher than liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees). Relatively speaking, objects with superconducting critical temperature between absolute 0 and-196 degrees are low-temperature superconductors. Now people have a clear understanding of low-temperature superconductors, but the superconducting physics principle and related condensed matter physics of high-temperature superconductors are still unknown in physics. The study of "Magic Horn" graphene may break this situation and become a milestone in the research of room temperature superconductors.
19 1 1 year, Dutch scientist Kamelin discovered the superconductivity of mercury, thus discovering superconductivity. Only two years later, he won the Nobel Prize with 19 13. And became the founder of low-temperature physics. The study of "Magic Horn" graphene proves once again that any research in the field of superconductors may affect the nerves of the whole natural science.
So what is the significance of normal temperature superconductors? Simply put, where electricity is used is of epoch-making significance, and when superconductors are superconducting at room temperature, their application concerns will penetrate into all aspects of life. Fingertip Technology said to take stock with you:
1. Superconducting electrical appliances. Superconductors have no resistance, which will greatly promote the use of existing electronic technology. The electronic technology we use every day is based on resistance circuits. Because the power consumption caused by resistance is extremely huge, people have invested countless resources to solve the heat dissipation problem caused by resistance. Computers will become superconducting computers. Imagine that your computer has no resistance, does not need heat dissipation, and can be thinner. Using integrated circuits of superconducting transistors, the speed of computers can be directly increased by dozens of times; The higher the efficiency of electricity consumption, the lower the electricity consumption at home, the brighter the light bulb, the faster the electric car runs, the more convenient the use of electrical appliances, and more fine electrical components can be used in our lives. It is said that many companies are now studying superconducting computers and quantum computers.
2. Quantum computer. Now two quantum computers have been developed, one based on electromagnetic laser technology and the other based on superconducting microwave technology. Among them, IBM's quantum computer based on superconducting microwave technology makes people see the feasibility of superconductors in the computer field.
3. Superconducting power generation. At present, superconducting generators have two meanings. One meaning is to use superconducting winding instead of copper winding of ordinary generator to improve current density and magnetic field strength, which has the advantages of large power generation capacity, small volume, light weight, low reactance and high efficiency. The other layer means superconducting magnetic fluid generator, which has the advantages of high efficiency and large power generation capacity, but the traditional magnet will produce great loss in the power generation process, and the superconducting magnet itself has small loss, which can make up for this deficiency. Minimizing power generation losses may also make power generation easier. Perhaps many energy sources around us can be used as power generation components to provide daily electricity, such as solar energy and sports energy.
4. Superconducting power transmission: Superconducting wires and transformers made of superconducting materials can transmit power to users almost without loss. According to statistics, about 65,438+05% of electric energy is lost on the transmission line when copper wire or aluminum wire is used for power transmission. In China alone, the annual power loss exceeds 1000 billion kWh. If we switch to superconducting power transmission, the energy saved is equivalent to building dozens of large power plants.
5. Maglev traffic. Superconducting maglev train: using the diamagnetism of superconducting materials, superconducting materials are placed on permanent magnets. Because the magnetic field lines of the magnet can't pass through the superconductor, there will be repulsive force between the magnet and the superconductor, which will make the superconductor suspend above the magnet. This magnetic levitation effect can be used to make high-speed superconducting magnetic levitation trains. Maglev car: It is said that this kind of car has been invented, but if the superconducting technology is mature, it can enter the practical stage. It is reported that the prototype of magnetic levitation tire has been invented by a young man in China, which has high performance characteristics that the current tire does not have. There is also a magnetic levitation skateboard, which may replace our daily walking.
6. Magnetic levitation machinery. The application of magnetic levitation characteristics in mechanical research and development can make important parts have no friction, and the braking efficiency and speed of machinery will be greatly improved, and many functions that existing machinery can not do can be realized.
7. maglev building. Magnetic levitation technology can make human beings use space more efficiently, and it may not be a dream for human beings to live in the air in the future. When the daily necessities use magnetic levitation technology, our life will become extremely convenient.
8. Superconducting medical treatment. It is said that there is a superconducting magnetic vibrator in the medical field now, which can diagnose many important diseases.
9. Nuclear fusion reactor "magnetic shell": In the process of nuclear fusion reaction, the internal temperature is as high as 1 100 million to 200 million degrees Celsius, and any conventional substance can not accommodate these substances. The strong magnetic field generated by superconductor can be used as a "magnetic shell" to enclose and restrain the ultra-high temperature plasma in thermonuclear reactor, and then release it slowly, thus making the controlled nuclear fusion energy become a new energy with broad prospects in 2 1 century. Due to the universality of nuclear fusion raw materials, the energy problem is expected to be completely solved. Even long-distance space travel will be possible.
10. superconducting gravity simulation. There is no gravity in the spacecraft, which greatly limits the activities of astronauts in the spacecraft. If we can walk on the ground in the spaceship, it will be of great significance to the astronauts' work and even their life in the spaceship. Perhaps the force of normal temperature superconductor can be used to simulate this gravity effect.
It can be seen that once the normal temperature superconducting technology is mature, there will definitely be a super-technological revolution, and the whole world will change its face from now on. Welcome to pay attention to Fingertip Technology (official WeChat account). If you have other ideas, please leave a comment.