Embattled Physicist Has Controversial Superconductor Study Retracted by Journal

In March, science journal Nature published a study claiming evidence of a superconductor that worked at room temperature —a blockbuster discovery with the potential to revolutionize energy grids, computers and pretty much every other electronic device conceivable. But today the journal retracted the paper, invalidating its findings and calling the conduct of the lead author, physicist Ranga Dias of the University of Rochester, into question along with his research.

The retracted paper claimed the discovery of a material that was able to carry an electrical current without losing any of its energy as heat or resistance at a balmy 70 degrees Fahrenheit under ambient pressure. So far, no superconductor has ever been discovered that works at temperatures much above absolute zero or without being under crushing pressure, a reality which means that, while tantalizing, they are largely impossible to use in current technology.

The paper was retracted after eight of its authors, not including Dias, raised concerns with Nature about how the study's findings were reported. But Nature also investigated the paper's claims after several other physicists called out Dias' findings as impossible to replicate, and that the resistance data presented in the paper was problematic.

"An investigation by the journal and post-publication review have concluded that these concerns are credible, substantial and remain unresolved," Nature stated in its retraction note, published on Nov. 7.

This is not the first time one of Dias' papers has been called into question or invalidated. An older superconductivity finding led by Dias, also published in Nature in 2020, was later retracted by the journal, as was another paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

In a statement, the University of Rochester, where Dias is an assistant professor, said that it is "committed to academic integrity" and taking the claims seriously. The University is carrying out a "comprehensive" investigation into the research.

"This investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by experts who are external to the University of Rochester," the University said.

Dias did not immediately respond to The Messenger's request for comment.