High-Pressure Superconductors

Synthesising hydrogen-rich cage compounds that superconduct near room temperature — a collaboration with condensed matter physicists.

High-pressure synthesis offers a route to superconducting materials with potentially transformative properties. Working with condensed matter physicists, we use diamond anvil cells to synthesise hydrogen-rich cage compounds (clathrate hydrides) that exhibit superconductivity at remarkably high temperatures. Recent results include clean-limit superconductivity in Im3m H₃S synthesised from sulfur and ammonia borane, and high-temperature superconductivity in La₄H₂₃ below 100 GPa — pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in the search for room-temperature superconductors.