A double-decker levitation experiment using a sandwich of superconductors

Jacob, Anthony; Ellis, Arthur B.

doi:10.1021/ed065p1094

J. Chem. Educ.

1988

DOI: 10.1021/ed065p1094

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A double-decker levitation experiment using a sandwich of superconductors

Anthony Jacob¹,

Arthur B. Ellis²

Abstract: The authors have found that the mutual repulsion that enables a superconductor to levitate a magnet and a magnet to levitate a superconductor can be combined in a single demonstration using a double-decker sandwich arrangement of super-conductor-magnet-superconductor.

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“…The YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x (Y-123, x ≤ 0.25) high temperature superconductor shows zero resistance and the Meissner effect at superconducting temperature of ~95 K. The crystalline structure, characteristics, and applications of the Y-123 superconductor have become popular topics of modern materials science chemistry and introduced in general chemistry courses (1,2). Synthetic experiments of Y-123 superconductors for undergraduate chemistry laboratory have been described in the literature (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). However, the traditional synthetic methods, such as solid-state reaction, coprecipitation reaction, and citrategel reaction included repeated grinding and heating at high temperature (ca.…”

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A Simplified Synthetic Experiment of YBa2Cu3O7–x Superconductor for First-Year Chemistry Laboratory

She

Liu

2008

J. Chem. Educ.

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In this study, a simplified synthetic experiment of YBa2Cu3O7–x (Y-123) superconductor was devised for first-year chemistry laboratory to demonstrate high temperature superconductor and the Meissner effect. The traditional synthetic methods of Y-123 superconductor need repeated grinding and heating in oxygen at high temperature, which are often tedious and time-consuming. In this experiment, a stoichiometric reduced quantity of starting materials was heated in air in a computer-controlled box furnace after grinding and pressing. The black pellet obtained exhibited superconductivity that levitated a magnet to about 4 mm height in liquid nitrogen to demonstrate the Meissner effect. The synthesis of the superconductors can be easily finished in 3-hour laboratory class, and the Meissner effect was tested in the following week. This simplified synthetic experiment of Y-123 superconductor reduces the chemical amount, takes less energy as well as less preparation time, and was successfully carried out by first-year students.

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A Simplified Synthetic Experiment of YBa2Cu3O7–x Superconductor for First-Year Chemistry Laboratory

She

Liu

2008

J. Chem. Educ.

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Synthesis and Small Molecule Exchange Studies of a Magnesium Bisformate Metal–Organic Framework: An Experiment in Host–Guest Chemistry for the Undergraduate Laboratory

Rood

Henderson

2012

J. Chem. Educ.

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Experiments are described that introduce students to the important concepts of host−guest chemistry and size exclusion in porous metal−organic frameworks (MOFs). The experiment has been successfully carried out in both introductory and advanced-level inorganic chemistry laboratories. Students synthesized the porous MOF, α-Mg 3 (O 2 CH) 6 , and examined its ability to take up a variety of small organic molecules into its pores using 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The MOF exhibited size exclusion and students rationalized this behavior based on the structures of the organic molecules and the pore size of the MOF. R esearch into the design and synthesis of extended materials with specific properties has received extensive interest in recent times. Of the many classes of extended materials, metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) have received tremendous attention. MOFs are hybrid materials, composed of metal ions and organic molecules that are linked into an extended array by what is often referred to as a node-and-linker approach. The most successful synthesis of these materials uses metal−carboxylate systems. 1 In many cases, metal carboxylates form frameworks that enclatherate solvent molecules. In some instances, these materials are robust to solvent removal, generating a porous framework. The porous nature of many MOFs makes them attractive for numerous applications involving the uptake and exchange of small molecules. 2 MOFs are ideal for such purposes as the size and shape of the pores may be controlled through judicious choice of metal ions and organic linker molecules.Despite the high level of interest in MOF materials in the academic setting, undergraduate students rarely receive exposure to such cutting-edge applications of inorganic chemistry. Recently, Sumida and Arnold published a MOF laboratory designed for the undergraduate inorganic chemistry laboratory that gives students excellent examples of synthesis and characterization of such materials. 3 The laboratory experiment described herein provides an 1 H NMR-based study of the uptake properties of the MOF α-magnesium formate, α-Mg 3 (O 2 CH) 6 . 4 While students will gain experience in the synthesis of MOF materials, the novelty of this experiment focuses on the host−guest chemistry of porous materials. Host−guest studies have been the topic of a variety of contributions to this Journal, yet none have focused specifically on such properties in MOFs. 5 As many institutions do not have direct access to some of the instrumentation common to MOF characterization, such as X-ray diffraction and gas sorption equipment, this system uniquely provides a straightforward investigation of small molecule uptake and size selectivity of the MOF using NMR spectroscopy. Guest uptake by the MOF can be determined by dissolving the material in D 2 O and obtaining a 1 H NMR spectrum.

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A classroom demonstration of levitation and suspension of a superconductor over a magnetic track

Strehlow

Sullivan

2009

American Journal of Physics

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The suspension and levitation of superconductors by permanent magnets is one of the most fascinating consequences of superconductivity, and a wonderful instrument for generating interest in low temperature physics and electrodynamics. We present a novel classroom demonstration of the levitation/suspension of a superconductor over a magnetic track that maximizes levitation/suspension time, separation distance between the magnetic track and superconductor and also insulator aesthetics. The demonstration as described is both inexpensive and easy to construct.

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A double-decker levitation experiment using a sandwich of superconductors

Abstract: The authors have found that the mutual repulsion that enables a superconductor to levitate a magnet and a magnet to levitate a superconductor can be combined in a single demonstration using a double-decker sandwich arrangement of super-conductor-magnet-superconductor.

Cited by 3 publications

References 2 publications

A Simplified Synthetic Experiment of YBa2Cu3O7–x Superconductor for First-Year Chemistry Laboratory

A Simplified Synthetic Experiment of YBa2Cu3O7–x Superconductor for First-Year Chemistry Laboratory

Synthesis and Small Molecule Exchange Studies of a Magnesium Bisformate Metal–Organic Framework: An Experiment in Host–Guest Chemistry for the Undergraduate Laboratory

A classroom demonstration of levitation and suspension of a superconductor over a magnetic track

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