Superconductivity Achieved at 100K in La3-xNdxNi2O7

Researchers have synthesized a polycrystalline material, identified as La3-xNdxNi2O7, which exhibits superconducting properties at temperatures reaching up to 100.5 Kelvin. This significant achievement was reported in a study published online on August 12, 2026, in the journal Nature, with the digital object identifier (doi) 10.1038/s41467-026-76534-z. The synthesis involved a record-level substitution of the rare-earth element Neodymium (Nd) into the lanthanum nickelate structure, specifically with an Nd substitution level of x = 2.4. This high degree of substitution is described as creating "chemical pressure" within the material's lattice structure. The superconducting signatures were detected through radio-frequency transmission measurements conducted under a pressure of 33 Gigapascals (GPa). Superconductivity is a phenomenon where a material exhibits zero electrical resistance and expels magnetic fields when cooled below a critical temperature. Achieving superconductivity at temperatures approaching or exceeding 100 Kelvin (K) is a long-standing goal in condensed matter physics, as it opens the possibility of using liquid nitrogen (boiling point approximately 77 K) as a coolant, which is far more economical and practical than liquid helium (boiling point approximately 4 K) typically required for conventional superconductors. The material La3-xNdxNi2O7 belongs to the family of layered nickelates, which have been a focus of intense research due to their potential for high-temperature superconductivity. Previous studies on similar nickelate compounds have explored various doping strategies and pressure conditions to induce or enhance superconducting behavior. The specific composition La3-xNdxNi2O7, with a high Nd content, appears to be a critical factor in reaching this elevated critical temperature. The application of 33 GPa pressure is substantial, indicating that the material requires significant mechanical stress to manifest its superconducting properties at such high temperatures. This finding contributes to the ongoing quest for room-temperature superconductors, which would revolutionize numerous technologies, including energy transmission, magnetic levitation, and advanced computing. The precise mechanism by which the Nd substitution and applied pressure lead to superconductivity at 100.5 K in this specific nickelate structure warrants further investigation. Understanding these underlying physics could pave the way for designing new materials with even higher superconducting transition temperatures, potentially operating at ambient pressures and temperatures.