There was more than enough skepticism and cautious optimism too. While it sounded too soon to be real, it wasn't unlike carbon nanotubes, graphene, or solid state batteries — previously unachievable material-tech getting validation in the lab, with a 20yr pipeline for global production. With even nuclear fusion being achieved in very specific / limited instances in the last decade, it's not inconceivable to hope that maybe RTSC are just around the corner.
Why are room temperature superconductors an 'obviously-impossible' technological claim?
Asking since we've managed to increase superconductor temperature several times in the past, right? (to ~ -130 degrees celsius right now IIRC). Why is our current temperature of, say ~30 degrees celsius special?
If you look at a list of known superconductors and their transition temperatures - it appears that the difficulty of getting a material to superconduct is proportional some unfriendly power of the absolute temperature.
Superconducting does seem much easier under a few hundred GPa's of pressure - but that's less convenient to maintain than liquid helium cooling.
Its not at all clear that room temperature superconductors are impossible, it's a materials problem. If someone was to find one that is probably how they would do it - testing materials for some other property and finding it accidentally.
Someone was saying "can we just not with April fools" this year because everything is so grim and dire in the world... but I think this is such a perfect level we need. I could go for more whimsy like this.
This one was good. It was pretty low-stakes and not anything that would impact anyone. For a while there, companies like Google were announcing products that sounded like a good idea, but turned out were just them trolling everyone over things people had been requesting for a long time.
IMO a made up "artist conception" picture on an article like this would have been perfectly appropriate, we've seen worse (think of the whole NEOM thingy).
Bonjour, and bienvenue to the Black Mesa - pardon, la Mesa Noire - Établissement de Recherche. Please keep your hands inside le tramway at all times, and do try not to provoquer une cascade de résonance. Merci.
How about for a real life Rainbow Road made by the Quantum Mushroom startup? I think that might be the aerospace applications reference in the article:
> CERN’s Knowledge Transfer Group has begun discussions with European startup company Quantum Mushroom to explore aerospace applications and powering for next-generation anti-gravity vehicles.
I'd be cautious of residual Higgs Booson particles in the tunnels. They can cause unexpected phase shifts if encountered, which may expose the driver to unexpected hazards.
1, Reading the Headline on HN) "Man, this is probably going to be something more practical, but I wish they were superconducting go-karts or golf-carts to get around the facility in."
2, Reading the article) "...okay, I was right? Kinda? Huh. Something feels off. Wait a-"
3, Remembering the Date) "FUCK. OK, CERN got me. Good one. Still want a superconducting kart though."
It took me a while to notice the first april, but
actually the image was too unbelievable. But if
such karts were possible, I bet the guys at CERN
would absolutely use it. And then post on youtube.
We know how things happen in "professional research".
Please bro. Just one more particle collider. This one will solve science. The last one wasn’t big enough. Please keep it in desirable real estate though.
Each bigger one has in fact solved more of physics, after being built precisely because there was a good theoretical case for a higher energy collider being helpful.
As somebody slightly better informed (physics degree, following popular science): It really isn't looking great for something that could be found at a small multiple of current energies, but not at current energies.
No of course not, they have Mario guys running around in karts doing maintenance of hyper complex system with wrenches. No physics can resist Mario's wrench, thats how we move humanity forward
This page cost taxpayers like 100 Euros maybe. How much money do you think scientists actually make? How much money and effort do you think it takes to post a blog article with a couple paragraphs of text and an image?
Takes me back to the week we all thought room temperature super conductors might be a solved problem.
That served a useful purpose- it let you objectively identify how gullible everyone you know is.
There was more than enough skepticism and cautious optimism too. While it sounded too soon to be real, it wasn't unlike carbon nanotubes, graphene, or solid state batteries — previously unachievable material-tech getting validation in the lab, with a 20yr pipeline for global production. With even nuclear fusion being achieved in very specific / limited instances in the last decade, it's not inconceivable to hope that maybe RTSC are just around the corner.
It also served the purpose of finding out who the cynical Debbie Downers who have no hope are as well!
How?
If your hope for the future is based on believing the most obviously-impossible technological claim in the world, you're way more cynical than I am.
Why are room temperature superconductors an 'obviously-impossible' technological claim?
Asking since we've managed to increase superconductor temperature several times in the past, right? (to ~ -130 degrees celsius right now IIRC). Why is our current temperature of, say ~30 degrees celsius special?
If you look at a list of known superconductors and their transition temperatures - it appears that the difficulty of getting a material to superconduct is proportional some unfriendly power of the absolute temperature.
Superconducting does seem much easier under a few hundred GPa's of pressure - but that's less convenient to maintain than liquid helium cooling.
Its not at all clear that room temperature superconductors are impossible, it's a materials problem. If someone was to find one that is probably how they would do it - testing materials for some other property and finding it accidentally.
Oh god, wow. It's obviously impossible? Please please please write a paper on that, you can save so much scientist time!
This got me. Thought it was real, busted out laughing when I read the project leads name. It still didn't click.
Small clue here too, maybe more subtle:
> explained school director, Rosalina Pfirsich, looking up from her storybook
Pfirsich in German means Peach, as in Princess Peach :D
Also "project leader Mario Idraulico" (i.e. "hydraulic" in Italian) or "Safety coordinator Luigi Fratello" ("Brother Luigi").
The noun “idraulico” also means “plumber”.
Also the schoolteacher Yoshi Kyouryuu which apparently is the dinosaur.
They’ve also got:
> schoolteacher Yoshi Kyouryuu, mid-way through painting spots on eggs
You somehow identified the last possible, most obscure clue. Mario, Luigi, Rosalina, and Yoshi show up before that.
There is also ”project leader Mario Idraulico”
Also the hat and mustache of the kart driver.
Someone was saying "can we just not with April fools" this year because everything is so grim and dire in the world... but I think this is such a perfect level we need. I could go for more whimsy like this.
I'd of said I had limited appetite for April fools gubbins this year too but this still made me smile :)
This one was good. It was pretty low-stakes and not anything that would impact anyone. For a while there, companies like Google were announcing products that sounded like a good idea, but turned out were just them trolling everyone over things people had been requesting for a long time.
Their heyday of good jokes was also when they hadn't produced any ads and seemed like an underdog. "Don't Be Evil" days.
Vibe-wise they all feel closer to Raytheon and I sure as fuck wouldn't want to see an attempt at a whimsical joke from Raytheon.
Man I fell for it until I saw your post. In fact, I was just about to post what the man's name means in Italian.
I was even going to point out how ironic it is that the mans first name and last name fit together so well.
In my defense I only got as far as idraulico and missed the "Mamma mia, they're super!"
I read the title and thought CERN + Mario Kart and am giggling.
ah! got me too!
For me it was easier. While I forgot it was first april, the image was too outrageous. Looked like AI-generated slop.
They may have had more success with another image. AI slop made us lazy.
IMO a made up "artist conception" picture on an article like this would have been perfectly appropriate, we've seen worse (think of the whole NEOM thingy).
CERN Research Facility, Geneva. Subject: Gordon Freeman, Male, Age 27
Gérard Hommelibre?
Bonjour, and bienvenue to the Black Mesa - pardon, la Mesa Noire - Établissement de Recherche. Please keep your hands inside le tramway at all times, and do try not to provoquer une cascade de résonance. Merci.
Tired: particle accelerator which crosses the border between France and Switzerland.
Wired: particle accelerator which crosses the border between Quebec and Ontario.
Wireless: Quartks crossing between France and Ontario
We need followup post exactly 365 days later describing first karting accident inside CERN
Exactly
I would pay stupid money for a CERN Tunnel Rainbow Road track DLC.
How about for a real life Rainbow Road made by the Quantum Mushroom startup? I think that might be the aerospace applications reference in the article:
> CERN’s Knowledge Transfer Group has begun discussions with European startup company Quantum Mushroom to explore aerospace applications and powering for next-generation anti-gravity vehicles.
Happy April Fools Day!
As Alumni, the tables outside R1 are prime for getting ideas, with some help from fermented barley, especially after work during Summertime.
I always look forward to CERN's April fools jokes!
I'd be cautious of residual Higgs Booson particles in the tunnels. They can cause unexpected phase shifts if encountered, which may expose the driver to unexpected hazards.
The observer effect prevents Booson particles from traveling towards the observer
Mario Idraulico says „mamma mia, they’re super”. Gosh I love April.
Ah, the stages of a good April Fool's nerd joke:
1, Reading the Headline on HN) "Man, this is probably going to be something more practical, but I wish they were superconducting go-karts or golf-carts to get around the facility in."
2, Reading the article) "...okay, I was right? Kinda? Huh. Something feels off. Wait a-"
3, Remembering the Date) "FUCK. OK, CERN got me. Good one. Still want a superconducting kart though."
I really miss Think Geek :-(
When they later actually sold the t-shirt they had previously presented as an April Fools joke? That was pretty cool.
I still had a Timmy the Monkey sticker on the lid of my kitchen bin up until a couple of years ago.
Mario Idraulico and Luigi Fratello overseeing this project? I hope the karts don't run into any stray kooparticles.
Right on time! "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" released today.
Ofcourse the guy explaining the carts is called "Mario".
oh my, I should really visit one day, I'm not even that far from CERN
They do some good tours. They are first come/first serve, so show up in the morning for the best chance to get a place.
high temperature super conductors my beloved
> Each kart is turbo-boosted by 64 superconducting engines,” explains project leader Mario Idraulico
I guess we can now call you Mario 'Kart' Idraulico.
Oh wait.
Thank you CERN, that was a smart one.
Since I didn't get the name reference either, here is a link for those who want a hint: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idraulico
Nice, I didn't get it.
I just realized "Kyouryuu" is Japanese for dinosaur.
And Pfirsich is of course Peach.
if you reached c with such a cart - nevermind the heat from air friction, would you be able to breath from a rebreather?
Really enjoyed the "karts and equipment will reach underground areas via giant green pipes" caption on the LHC tunnel diagram.
Call me a killjoy I hate April fools jokes.
Alright then: killjoy
They missed a perfect spot to mention something about "Gordon".
(Half-Life joke)
As an homage, Supertuxkart might add a CERN-LHC inspired level with a wormhole as a secret path.
It took me a while to notice the first april, but actually the image was too unbelievable. But if such karts were possible, I bet the guys at CERN would absolutely use it. And then post on youtube.
We know how things happen in "professional research".
Please bro. Just one more particle collider. This one will solve science. The last one wasn’t big enough. Please keep it in desirable real estate though.
Each bigger one has in fact solved more of physics, after being built precisely because there was a good theoretical case for a higher energy collider being helpful.
I’m ignorant. It’s a meme about their optics being terrible after steam ran out for 90s science optimism.
As somebody slightly better informed (physics degree, following popular science): It really isn't looking great for something that could be found at a small multiple of current energies, but not at current energies.
Is this an april fools joke? The title image looks so over-the-top that I really can't tell if it's a joke or not
No of course not, they have Mario guys running around in karts doing maintenance of hyper complex system with wrenches. No physics can resist Mario's wrench, thats how we move humanity forward
There is a Luigi on the team as well. How it can't be true?
And Yoshi. And Pfirsich, which is Peach in German
Fratello. Must be a bro.
CTRL+F "safety and health"
Meh joke considering this was paid on public money.
Same as choosing to spend xxx,xxx USD to have .cern when using subdomains would have worked too (and caused less validation / compatibility issues).
They got the intern to write a funny post. Probably took them an hour and it drums up a bit of good press for the Hi-Lumi LHC.
Money well spent if you ask me.
As a tax payer in one of the member states, I approve of this joke.
The Web is a side project of CERN, they should have gotten a comped top-level domain by rights.
This page cost taxpayers like 100 Euros maybe. How much money do you think scientists actually make? How much money and effort do you think it takes to post a blog article with a couple paragraphs of text and an image?