Radioactive Superconductors

Flint · 08-13-2008, 09:25 AM

Scientists at MIT have created the world’s first radioactive superconductor--a paradox which has left many in the scientific community scratching their heads in confusion.

In the first stage of production, a unique blend of eleven radioactive substances are slowly introduced into a sealed chamber, where they display a natural aversion to sharing the same space with their unstable cousins. Next, high pressure is applied to the chamber, forcing their outbursts of subatomic particles to become entangled. The compression of the substances creates a condition of extreme heat and dangerous instability, which is then quickly reversed with a new high speed flash-freezing process. The resulting snapshot of radioactive chaos is instantaneously subjected to an intense electromagnetic field, polarizing the entangled particles into a functional magnetic circuit.

What happens next is something that nobody expected. When the materials are brought back up to a temperature just slightly above absolute zero, the sloughing off of radioactive particles resumes, but with a twist--the circuit retains its closed state, although nobody is quite sure how this is possible. It is this unique property that is leading some to believe that these so-called “radioactive semiconductors” are the missing link needed to create fully functional quantum computers.

The substance, dubbed Obtanium, is under consideration to be included as a new element on the periodic chart, although it will be difficult to classify due to its non-specific nature. Proponents of Obtanium research are expressing outrage over rumours that the US Military is planning to deploy Obtanium-tipped artillery shells in the Iraq conflict.

Flint · 08-13-2008, 11:38 AM

Sorry, forgot to embed the link.

I'm not sure they've done a very good job of explaining this.

DanaC · 08-13-2008, 12:02 PM

This is so exciting! I've been following (though with very little actual understanding lol) the drive towards quantum computers with great interest.

Undertoad · 08-13-2008, 12:13 PM

Uh.. I thought it was "Bobtanium"? Because one of the main scientists was named Robert.

Griff · 08-13-2008, 12:25 PM

Superconductor's unstable cousin.

HungLikeJesus · 08-13-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flint

Sorry, forgot to embed the link.

I'm not sure they've done a very good job of explaining this.

They seem to have moved the page.

Flint · 08-13-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

They seem to have moved the page.

Maybe because the "powers that be" don't want us to know about this? This could change everything.

regular.joe · 08-13-2008, 02:12 PM

Very interesting. I'm wondering how the substances were decided upon, and why the experiment was done in the first place.

DanaC · 08-13-2008, 04:11 PM

For shits and giggles? :P

Undertoad · 08-13-2008, 04:19 PM

That's what they put on their Grant application.

Elspode · 08-13-2008, 07:43 PM

I guess I lack foresight. The only application for this that came to my mind was glow in the dark icecubes to make your drink easier to find.

regular.joe · 08-13-2008, 10:10 PM

This has been bugging me since I read it the first time.

Flint, is this some kind of an April fools joke, only it's not April? Obtanium? A flash freeze process to absolute zero? This has got to be a joke.

Undertoad · 08-13-2008, 10:15 PM

It's Bobtanium, I tell you!!

ZenGum · 08-13-2008, 11:13 PM

I am a bit sceptical about some of what is described here - especially "are brought back up to a temperature just slightly above absolute zero". Brought BACK UP to SLIGHTLY above ABSOLUTE ZERO??? Where was it before?
On the other hand, there is some crazy stuff that actually happens when you push known materials into extreme conditions. Could be.

But "radioactive superconductors" would be a cool band name.

Flint · 08-14-2008, 09:55 AM

Like I said, I think the staff writer here sort of fumbled explaining this. Maybe the editor, I don't know. But it's still exciting news for all the science geeks out there.

08-13-2008, 09:25 AM	#1
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Radioactive Superconductors Scientists at MIT have created the world’s first radioactive superconductor--a paradox which has left many in the scientific community scratching their heads in confusion. In the first stage of production, a unique blend of eleven radioactive substances are slowly introduced into a sealed chamber, where they display a natural aversion to sharing the same space with their unstable cousins. Next, high pressure is applied to the chamber, forcing their outbursts of subatomic particles to become entangled. The compression of the substances creates a condition of extreme heat and dangerous instability, which is then quickly reversed with a new high speed flash-freezing process. The resulting snapshot of radioactive chaos is instantaneously subjected to an intense electromagnetic field, polarizing the entangled particles into a functional magnetic circuit. What happens next is something that nobody expected. When the materials are brought back up to a temperature just slightly above absolute zero, the sloughing off of radioactive particles resumes, but with a twist--the circuit retains its closed state, although nobody is quite sure how this is possible. It is this unique property that is leading some to believe that these so-called “radioactive semiconductors” are the missing link needed to create fully functional quantum computers. The substance, dubbed Obtanium, is under consideration to be included as a new element on the periodic chart, although it will be difficult to classify due to its non-specific nature. Proponents of Obtanium research are expressing outrage over rumours that the US Military is planning to deploy Obtanium-tipped artillery shells in the Iraq conflict. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio** Last edited by Flint; 08-13-2008 at 09:35 AM.

08-13-2008, 11:38 AM	#2
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Sorry, forgot to embed the link. I'm not sure they've done a very good job of explaining this. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

08-13-2008, 12:25 PM	#5
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Superconductor's unstable cousin. Attached Images __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

08-13-2008, 02:12 PM	#8
regular.joe Старый сержант Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NC, dreaming of large Russian women. Posts: 1,464	Very interesting. I'm wondering how the substances were decided upon, and why the experiment was done in the first place. __________________ Birth, wealth, and position are valueless during wartime. Man is only judged by his character --Soldier's Testament. Death, like birth, is a secret of Nature. - Marcus Aurelius.

08-13-2008, 07:43 PM	#11
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	I guess I lack foresight. The only application for this that came to my mind was glow in the dark icecubes to make your drink easier to find. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

08-13-2008, 12:02 PM	#3
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	This is so exciting! I've been following (though with very little actual understanding lol) the drive towards quantum computers with great interest.

08-13-2008, 12:13 PM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Uh.. I thought it was "Bobtanium"? Because one of the main scientists was named Robert.

08-13-2008, 04:11 PM	#9
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	For shits and giggles? :P

08-13-2008, 04:19 PM	#10
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	That's what they put on their Grant application.

08-13-2008, 10:10 PM	#12
regular.joe Старый сержант Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NC, dreaming of large Russian women. Posts: 1,464	This has been bugging me since I read it the first time. Flint, is this some kind of an April fools joke, only it's not April? Obtanium? A flash freeze process to absolute zero? This has got to be a joke. __________________ Birth, wealth, and position are valueless during wartime. Man is only judged by his character --Soldier's Testament. Death, like birth, is a secret of Nature. - Marcus Aurelius.

08-13-2008, 10:15 PM	#13
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	It's Bobtanium, I tell you!!

08-13-2008, 11:13 PM	#14
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	I am a bit sceptical about some of what is described here - especially "are brought back up to a temperature just slightly above absolute zero". Brought BACK UP to SLIGHTLY above ABSOLUTE ZERO??? Where was it before? On the other hand, there is some crazy stuff that actually happens when you push known materials into extreme conditions. Could be. But "radioactive superconductors" would be a cool band name. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

08-14-2008, 09:55 AM	#15
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Like I said, I think the staff writer here sort of fumbled explaining this. Maybe the editor, I don't know. But it's still exciting news for all the science geeks out there. __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

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