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- cross-posted to:
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Beijing Superconductor (LK-99) Levitation Video Author Admits Fraud, Takes it Down::The author of one of the Billibilli videos posted as proof of LK-99’s levitation capabilities has admitted that his posting was a hoax.
Question for clarity, does it’s levation have anything to do with whether or not it’s a superconductor?
What I’ve gathered from many of the discussions around this topic is that the levitation is a notable feature of superconductors due to th Meissner(?) Effect. So if it couldnt levitate, there would be no reason to suspect that it is a superconductor. Because it does levitate, superconductivity is one of a few possibilities.
There have been indicators it may be a semiconductor instead, but apparently the conditions to accurately produce the material are vague/not fully understood - so attempts at reproduction have failed to rule it in or out 100%
Which is also sadly a common component of hoaxes, include some vague component so you can just claim your detractors are doing it wrong.
Very interesting, had no idea of the meissner effect. Thanks!
The reason that superconductors levitate it that they are perfectly diamagnetic. There are other materials that are strongly diamagnetic, such as bismuth , that can be made to levitate but normally the effect is not stable enough without additional components, such as being sandwiched between two powerful magnets. However Pyrolytic carbon will levitate , at room temperature, above a strong enough magnet in the same way as a superconductor would.
Levitation is a fun way to demonstrate that you’ve got a superconductor. That’s not the only way to make things levitate, so not all levitating things are superconductors.
Yeah thats a pretty good summary of what I was trying to convey. If this didn’t levitate, no one would’ve blinked twice. But since it did, its being investigated more thoroughly to check if its one of those other things that levitate (or actually a superconductor)
Diamagnetic materials are also pretty nice. However, normally you would use 4 magnets to make a tiny flake of carbon levitate, so using that to fake a superconductor might be too obvious.