• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1-4
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• 2023

Recently, a claim of material, named LK-99 (a lead apatite-based compound), exhibiting a superconducting transition temperature of over 400 K under standard atmospheric pressure, was reported [1, 2]. This claim has generated considerable attention from scientists worldwide. Here, we synthesized five LK-99 samples following the method detailed in the original papers [1, 2], and measured structural and resistivity data for each of these samples. The structure of the synthesized samples (P6₃/m, a=9.82 Å , c=7.34 Å ) was very close to the reported one. Contrary to the report, however, no hint of room-temperature superconductivity was noted from any of the samples. The results of Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) measurements demonstrate that the atomic distribution in the sample was inhomogenous, and unreacted precursors were included in the samples. To investigate the intrinsic superconducting properties of LK-99, we propose to synthesize samples having high structural purity and chemical uniformity.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-4
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• 2024

We investigated Pb_10-xCu_x(PO₄)₆ (0.9 < x < 1.1) (LK-99) and Cu₂S, presumed to be contained as an impurity in LK-99, in a wide spectral range from far infrared to ultraviolet using optical spectroscopy. The optical conductivity spectra of both samples were obtained from measured reflectance spectra at various temperatures from 80 to 434 K. Both samples showed several infrared-active phonons in the far and mid-infrared regions. LK-99 showed typical insulating features with a band gap of ~1 eV. Cu₂S showed a nonmonotonic temperature-dependent trend and two energy gaps: one energy gap of ~93 meV and a band gap of 2.42 eV. Our results indicate that LK-99 cannot be a superconductor because it is an insulator with a large band gap.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.5-8
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• 2024

Recently, Lee et al. claimed that LK-99 isthe first room-temperature superconductor at ambient pressure, which quickly captured the attention of both the scientific community and the general public. We tried to replicate Pb_10-xCu_x(PO₄)₆O, called as LK-99, and characterized its physical properties by measuring the electrical resistance and Meissner effect. The electrical resistance results for different batches exhibited structural phase transitions at different temperatures, and the magnetic measurements indicated weak diamagnetism at 300 K, which is weaker than that of water. Taken together with the structural analysis, these results suggest that the resistivity transitions are incurred by Cu-S compound generated as a byproduct during the synthesis of LK-99 and LK-99 is not a room-temperature superconductor.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.165-165
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• 2023

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.124-124
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• 2023

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.584-588
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• 2002

Asymmetric enantioselective resolution system using epoxide hydrolase activity of Aspergillus niger LK was developed and operated for the production of optically pure styrene oxide. Two-phase hollow-fiber reactor system was employed for the enhanced solubility of racemic styrene oxide in organic phase and protection of epoxide hydrolase activity in aqueous phase. For the removal of phenyl-1,2-ethandiol, the inhibitor of epoxide hydrolase, cascade hollow-fiber reactor system was also developed. Chiral (S)-styrene oxide (39 mM in dodecane) could be asymmetrically resolved with high enantiopurity (> 99% ee) using these reactor system.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2023

This paper examines the way of thinking and limitations of physicists regarding the phenomenon of superconductivity and outlines how room-temperature and ambient-pressure superconductors can be developed through the statistical thermodynamic background of the liquid state theory. In hypothesis, the number of electron states should be limited by confining them to a state close to one-Dimension. Simultaneously, the electron-electron interactions should be frequent enough for the electrons to have liquid-like properties. As an example of implementing the hypothesis, our team reports the development of room-temperature and ambient-pressure superconductivity of a material named LK-99 (superconducting compound name developed in the research), whose structure was revealed through numerous experiments with a clue found by chance. Moreover, we summarize the theoretical and experimental basis for the characteristics and discovery of the world's first superconducting material surpassing the critical temperature of 97℃ at atmospheric pressure.

• The Zoological Society Korea : Newsletter
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.99.1-99
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• 1995

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.557-560
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• 2006

The epoxide hydrolase (EH) of Aspergillus niger LK was expressed to high levels in Escherichia coli based on codon usage. E. coli, Rosetta (DE3)PLysS, containing a large number of tRNAs for rare-codons was employed as a host strain. The recombinant E. coli expressing A. niger EH showed an enhanced enantioselective hydrolysis activity toward racemic styrene oxide. Enantiopure (S)-styrene oxide with a high enantiopurity of 99% ee was obtained from racemic substrates.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.10-13
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• 2023

To confirm the room-temperature superconductivity at ambient pressure as claimed in recent arXiv preprints by Lee et al., we followed the original authors' systematic solid-state synthesis recipe to reproduce Cu-doped Pb-apatite, known as LK-99. Using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, we identified inclusion of various impurities alongside the apatite phase in our sample. While the sample exhibited an overall semiconducting behavior in electrical transport, an intriguing resistivity anomaly at 380 K was observed, possibly originating from a structural phase transition of the Cu_2-δS impurity. Based on the transport and magnetization measurements, we conclude that the sample is a non-magnetic semiconductor, with absence of superconductivity.