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January 29, 2017

Scientists create a metallic hydrogen that could revolutionise space travel

Scientists create a metallic hydrogen that could revolutionise space travel
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Scientists at Harvard University have finally succeeded in doing something that many just dream of. A paper on Science tells us that the scientists have succeeded in creating the lightest element- Hydrogen into a metal. This makes this newly created metal one of the rarest and most expensive materials on the planet.

Now why this is such a big deal, is because the creation of this element to actually revolutionise the technology that we see today. The element can be put into multiple applications such as creating fast computing devices or more efficient transport systems. This could also alter the way we have explored space in the past.

The new element was created by freezing liquid nitrogen at temperatures way below freezing. The liquid is trapped between two pieces of diamonds, and the amount of pressure that went into achieving this even more than what is found at the centre of the earth.

Now, this element has gripped on well to the diamond pieces, however, the scientists will, over the next few weeks release the pressure carefully to see whether the element is able to sustain its integrity. A theory suggests that metallic hydrogen will be stable at room temperature. According to Professor Silvera, this was a very important prediction.

He said, “That means if you take the pressure off, it will stay metallic, similar to the way diamonds form from graphite under intense heat and pressure but remains a diamond when that pressure and heat is removed,”
If this actually worked out, then metallic hydrogen’s super-conductor-properties could add a considerable improvement in electrical applications.

He further added, “As much as 15 percent of energy is lost to dissipation during transmission, so if you could make wires from this material and use them in the electrical grid, it could change that story.”

This new element could also help scientists create a new form of rocket fuel which would not only have more power, but could also be more efficient, creating a huge revolution in the rocket building, and push space travel to new horizons.

Source: Independent.co.uk

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