Unlocking Superfluidity: Hydrogen at the Nano-Scale
Key Ideas
  • Researchers at UBC, RIKEN, and Kanazawa University successfully demonstrated superfluidity in hydrogen clusters at ultra-low temperatures, a phenomenon previously observed only in helium.
  • By creating nano-size ultra-cold labs and embedding a spinning methane molecule in hydrogen clusters, the team confirmed the superfluid behavior of hydrogen.
  • This breakthrough deepens understanding of quantum fluids, potentially leading to more efficient hydrogen storage and transport solutions for clean energy applications.
  • The frictionless flow of superfluid hydrogen could inspire the development of new technologies to overcome current challenges in hydrogen production, storage, and transportation.
A groundbreaking research project by an international team from the University of British Columbia (UBC), RIKEN, and Kanazawa University has successfully demonstrated superfluidity in hydrogen clusters at ultra-low temperatures. This remarkable achievement, published in Science Advances, mirrors the frictionless flow behavior previously observed in helium, expanding our knowledge of quantum fluids. The researchers overcame the challenges of studying liquid hydrogen, which usually solidifies at -259°C, by confining hydrogen molecules within helium nanodroplets at a temperature of -272.25°C. By embedding a spinning methane molecule in the hydrogen clusters and observing its resistance-free rotation, the team confirmed hydrogen's superfluid nature when composed of around 15 to 20 molecules per cluster. The findings mark a significant step towards understanding molecular superfluidity and its potential applications, with implications for more efficient hydrogen storage and transport methods for clean energy purposes. While hydrogen is crucial for fuel cells that produce only water as a byproduct, the current limitations in production, storage, and transportation hinder its widespread adoption. The newfound ability to harness superfluid hydrogen could pave the way for innovative technologies that address these challenges and advance the utilization of hydrogen as a clean fuel source in the future.
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