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Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by jncfhnb on Thursday January 04, 2024 @08:46AM (#38866892)
So just running with it, what’s the utility? Last time people were hyping up transmission systems but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards for freezer temp superconductors I’m guessing.
Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by Yizahi on Thursday January 04, 2024 @09:13AM (#38867193)
Simply making liquid nitrogen MRI machine (instead of liquid helium) would be a billion dollar revolution. Electrically cooled like a house freezer, -23C MRI machine would a be a world changing trillion dollar revolution.
Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by mariusor on Thursday January 04, 2024 @11:23AM (#38868861)
Forgive my ignorance but how does liquid Nitrogen (which has a boiling temperature of ~190Celsius) translate to the -23C you mention ?
Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by Yizahi on Tuesday January 09, 2024 @07:32AM (#38925375)
I was mentioning two possible inventions, separately:

1. Superconductors that retain their properties above -190C but not much higher. It is more probable scenario and would be a huge win on its own.

2. Superconductors at -23C. This ones obviously doesn't need liquid gasses to operate, and so would be even more revolutionary (more compact, cheaper and efficient). But it is unlikely (to me) that we can see such a techlogical leap in one go, without first finding something that works between -23 and -190.

Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by phkahler on Thursday January 04, 2024 @09:19AM (#38867266)
>> Simply making liquid nitrogen MRI machine (instead of liquid helium) would be a billion dollar revolution.

But we already have liquid nitrogen superconductors and they aren't used in MRI machines. I think the reason is something-something current density something - that they aren't suitable for that particular use for some other reason.

Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by PoignardAzur on Thursday January 04, 2024 @12:50PM (#38870044)
The twitter post has a typo. The poster meant without liquid nitrogen, eg with a retail freezer.
Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by jncfhnb on Thursday January 04, 2024 @01:33PM (#38870539)
Why would that be a trillion dollar revolution?
Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by Yizahi on Tuesday January 09, 2024 @07:25AM (#38925330)
If we could move from liquid helium to liquid nitrogen cooled magnets, then the cost of such machine (total cost, both capital and operational) will drop a lot. Countries deploying MRI machines today could increase coverage and lessen wait times. My relative recently waited 2 months for non urgent MRI (assigned by doctor). Some countries have it even worse.

And MRI which can be cooled with a conventional electric freezer would cost order of magnitude less, probably. Which mean it could be deployed even in the rural regions and underdeveloped countries, like some x-ray machine today (it is more complex tool of course, this was a metaphor).

So that's the gist of it, reducing the infrastructure costs significantly. And the interesting thing about diagnostic healthcare is that their potential market is a perfect circle of all humans on the planet. The maximum possible market, because we all get old, ill and die eventually. All need better diagnostics, but not all needs a new car or new computer or new gun, or new chat application.

Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by Abfrage on Thursday January 04, 2024 @09:00AM (#38867031)
There is a Wikipedia article on applications of superconductivity. Everything we already use superconductors for will potentially become easier, cheaper or practical.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_applications_of_...

Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by pantalaimon on Thursday January 04, 2024 @09:06AM (#38867092)
They installed a superconducting power cable in Shanghai

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277283072...

Re:Room-Temperature Superconductor Replicated by LargoLasskhyfv on Thursday January 04, 2024 @12:43PM (#38869945)
Also one in Essen, Germany. From some transformer station right into downtown area.