Research team achieves first NMR analysis of lanthanum superhydrides under extreme pressure
Updated
Updated · Chemie.de · May 6
Research team achieves first NMR analysis of lanthanum superhydrides under extreme pressure
4 articles · Updated · Chemie.de · May 6
Scientists from HZDR and HPSTAR used Lenz lenses inside diamond anvil cells above one million atmospheres to study samples only tens of micrometres wide.
The method amplifies high-frequency signals enough to yield meaningful atomic-level data, while complementary resistance tests in HZDR's pulsed high-field magnets probe how stable superconductivity remains.
Superhydrides can show near-room-temperature superconductivity under planet-like pressures, and researchers say understanding their mechanisms could guide future higher-temperature superconductors and more energy-efficient technologies.
This new tool unlocks superconductor secrets, but can we design a material that works without the crushing pressure?
With a German-Chinese team's new breakthrough, is America at risk of losing the global race for superconductivity?
Does the scientific race for revolutionary technology justify collaborating with labs on U.S. national security watch lists?
In early 2026, an international team led by HZDR and HPSTAR achieved the first nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of lanthanum superhydrides under pressures above 100 gigapascals, overcoming the challenge of tiny sample volumes in diamond anvil cells by using innovative Lenz lenses. These lenses focus radio-frequency signals to detect atomic-level superconducting behavior, revealing strong electron-phonon coupling and hydrogen dynamics as key to near-room-temperature superconductivity. This breakthrough not only confirms theoretical models but also accelerates the design of new materials stable at lower pressures, paving the way for transformative applications in energy, transportation, and quantum technologies.