An investigation has discovered that the physicist who claimed to have developed one of many first room-temperature superconductors engaged in “analysis misconduct”, as first reported by The Wall Avenue Journal. Ranga Dias, a researcher and assistant professor on the College of Rochester, has been beneath investigation by a panel of outdoor specialists since final August over issues concerning the accuracy of his findings.
“The College has accomplished a radical investigation led by a bunch of scientists exterior to the College who’ve experience within the discipline,” College of Rochester spokeswoman Sara Miller stated in a press release to The Verge. “The committee concluded, according to College coverage and federal rules, that Dias engaged in analysis misconduct.”
Final 12 months, Dias co-authored a analysis paper in The character highlighting a lutetium hydride doped with nitrogen. The paper claimed that the fabric can conduct electrical energy at ambient temperatures with out resistance. (If this sounds acquainted, it's since you're considering of the supposed superconductor LK-99 that went viral on social media final 12 months.) Scientists later found inconsistencies in Dias' analysis.
This work, together with a few of Dias's different works, has been retracted. The committee “recognized knowledge reliability points in these paperwork,” Miller says. “The College of Rochester is dedicated to tutorial integrity.”
Previous to this latest inquiry, the college opened two inquiries into Dias' analysis, however determined to not open a full investigation. As he notes diarythe college might additionally resolve to take personnel motion towards Dias as a subsequent step, which is dealt with by the establishment's chaplain.
Replace March 20, 5:56 PM ET: A College of Rochester spokesperson added a press release.
Correction March 20, 5:35 PM ET: An earlier model of the article incorrectly acknowledged Dias' analysis was about LK-99 when it was nitrogen-doped lutetium hydride. We remorse the error.