An investigation has found that the physicist who claimed to have developed the world's first room-temperature superconductor engaged in “research misconduct,” according to a report of The Wall Street Journal. Ranga Dias, a researcher and assistant professor at the University of Rochester, has been investigated by a committee of outside experts. since last august over concerns about the accuracy of their findings.
“The committee concluded, consistent with University policy and federal regulations, that Dias engaged in research misconduct,” a University of Rochester spokesperson told the Diary.
Last year, Dias published a research paper in Nature highlighting a material called LK-99. He claimed that the material could conduct electricity at room temperature without resistance. The supposed superconductor went viral on social media, with some touting it as a breakthrough in physics. However, the hype quickly faded when scientists found inconsistencies in Dias' research that suggested LK-99 is No a superconductor.
This document, together With some from Dias' other work, has been retracted. The committee “identified data reliability issues in those articles,” says a University of Rochester spokesperson. Diary. The university did not immediately respond to The edgeRequest for comments.
Prior to the LK-99 investigation, the university opened two investigations into the Dias investigation, but decided not to open a full investigation. As pointed out by DiaryThe university could also decide to take personal action against Dias as a next step, which is the responsibility of the institution's president.
