South Korean experts have created a committee to verify claims about a potential breakthrough in superconductor technology that has been driving both excitement and controversy among markets and industry participants.
The Korean Society of Superconductivity and Cryogenics (KSSC) asked the Quantum Energy Research Centre to submit samples that are required in the verification process of room-temperature superconductors, the institution said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The claim of a room temperature superconductor discovery is causing a great controversy at home and abroad, but we are concerned about the situation in which unverified claims are being poured out by fellow researchers without an entity responsible for verifying it,” said the KSSC, which consists of professors and experts.
Photo: screen grab from the Web site of ScienceCast
Papers published on July 22 showed researchers at the Quantum Energy Research Centre and other South Korean experts synthesized the world’s first superconductor known as LK-99 that is capable of conducting electricity at room temperature with ambient pressure.
Excitement grew further after a video of a team of Chinese scientists replicating the South Korean team’s findings went viral.
The KSSC said it is difficult to say if the material is a room-temperature superconductor at this point, based on the archived papers and published videos.
Research institutes of KSSC members are to conduct cross verification if the Quantum Energy Research Centre provides samples, the statement said.
The verification committee is to be led by Kim Chang-young, a Seoul National University professor who is an expert in a related field.
“If it is verified, it will be a groundbreaking research result that will have a great impact on science and technology. However, it is worrisome that this verification is being disclosed without academic review, and that it is having economic and social impacts,” the KSSC said.
Meanwhile, investors continued to pile into some South Korean stocks seen as related to superconductors, even as the stock exchange warned of speculative bets and unfair trades.
Korea Exchange late on Wednesday asked investors to be wary before investing in Duksung Co, Mobiis Co and Shinsung Delta Tech Co.
“Investors should be cautious on increased volatility in these superconductor theme stocks as their substance is not clear,” Kiwoom Securities Co analyst Han Ji-young said.
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