An example of humour in science:
Michael Norman, a condensed matter physicist working in the materials science department of Argonne National Laboratory, US, told Science that his initial reaction to the reports were that the scientists 'look like real amateurs' given how they presented their findings. Speaking to Chemistry World he says that 'there have obviously been some reports through the years of what are sometimes referred to as USOs, unidentified superconducting objects'. 'When I look at the data it seems to me that there could be a possibility of copper filaments or inclusions being interspersed inside an insulating diamagnetic matrix, it could fool you into thinking you have superconductivity when you don't,' he adds.
Barsted, G. (2023, September). Scramble to replicate supposed room temperature superconductor. Chemistry World, 20(9), 10. https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/scramble-to-replicate-supposed-room-temperature-and-pressure-superconductor/4017852.article
The implication being that reports of room temperature superconductors had as much reality as sightings of 'flying saucers' (UFOs).
Is it a new superconductor material levitating due to the Meissner effect? (No: it is a UFO in the Gerry & Sylvia Anderson sci-fi show of that name {Century 21 for ITC Enertainment}.)
Read about scientific puns
