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Related Concept Videos

Superconductor01:24

Superconductor

A substance that reaches superconductivity, a state in which magnetic fields cannot penetrate, and there is no electrical resistance, is referred to as a superconductor. In 1911, Heike Kamerlingh Onnes of Leiden University, a Dutch physicist, observed a relation between the temperature and the resistance of the element mercury. The mercury sample was then cooled in liquid helium to study the linear dependence of resistance on temperature. It was observed that, as the temperature decreased, the...
Types Of Superconductors01:28

Types Of Superconductors

A superconductor is a substance that offers zero resistance to the electric current when it drops below a critical temperature. Zero resistance is not the only interesting phenomenon as materials reach their transition temperatures. A second effect is the exclusion of magnetic fields. This is known as the Meissner effect. A light, permanent magnet placed over a superconducting sample will levitate in a stable position above the superconductor. High-speed trains that levitate on strong...
Subatomic Particles03:37

Subatomic Particles

Dalton was only partially correct about the particles that make up matter. All matter is composed of atoms, and atoms are composed of three smaller subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. These three particles account for the mass and the charge of an atom.
Theory of Metallic Conduction01:17

Theory of Metallic Conduction

The conduction of free electrons inside a conductor is best described by quantum mechanics. However, a classical model makes predictions close to the results of quantum mechanics. It is called the theory of metallic conduction.
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
Conductors and Insulators01:19

Conductors and Insulators

Some materials may easily let electrical charges pass through them, while others obstruct their flow. The former are called conductors and the latter insulators. The atomic structures of materials determine whether they are conductors or insulators of electricity.
Most metals are conductors. Their atomic configuration is such that one or more electron(s) are loosely bound to the nucleus in each atom. Thus, a sea of mobile electrons are available in them, known as free electrons. Their easy...
Diamagnetic Shielding of Nuclei: Local Diamagnetic Current01:14

Diamagnetic Shielding of Nuclei: Local Diamagnetic Current

An applied magnetic field causes the electrons present in the molecule to circulate, setting up a local diamagnetic current within the molecule. The local diamagnetic current arising from circulating sigma-bonding electrons induces a magnetic field, Blocal that opposes the applied magnetic field, B0. The effective magnetic field experienced by these nuclei is given by the difference between the applied and local magnetic fields in a phenomenon called local diamagnetic shielding. Essentially,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Comparison of Two Different Synthesis Methods of Single Crystals of Superconducting Uranium Ditelluride
04:51

Comparison of Two Different Synthesis Methods of Single Crystals of Superconducting Uranium Ditelluride

Published on: July 8, 2021

Superconductivity of americium.

J L Smith, R G Haire

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |May 5, 1978
    PubMed
    Summary

    The synthetic metal americium exhibits superconductivity at 0.79 K in its double-hexagonal-close-packed phase. This finding is notable as americium is a manmade element, and superconductivity is rare among such materials.

    Area of Science:

    • Condensed Matter Physics
    • Materials Science
    • Superconductivity

    Background:

    • Superconductivity is a phenomenon where materials exhibit zero electrical resistance below a critical temperature.
    • Manmade elements are generally not expected to exhibit superconductivity.
    • Americium is a synthetic transuranic radioactive element.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the superconducting properties of the metal americium.
    • To determine the critical temperatures for superconductivity in different phases of americium.

    Main Methods:

    • Experimental measurements of electrical resistance as a function of temperature.
    • Synthesis and characterization of americium in different crystallographic phases (double-hexagonal-close-packed and face-centered-cubic).

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    Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

    Comparison of Two Different Synthesis Methods of Single Crystals of Superconducting Uranium Ditelluride
    04:51

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    Published on: July 8, 2021

    A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer
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    Main Results:

    • Superconductivity was observed in americium at temperatures up to 0.79 K for the double-hexagonal-close-packed phase.
    • Evidence suggests a slightly higher transition temperature for the face-centered-cubic phase.

    Conclusions:

    • Americium is a novel superconducting material, particularly surprising given its synthetic nature.
    • The discovery opens new avenues for exploring superconductivity in manmade elements.