The only metallic hydrogen sample on Earth was lost two days ago while being readied for transport to another laboratory. The metallic hydrogen sample was successfully made after 80 years of research.
As the only metallic hydrogen sample on Earth, it was very precious. Hydrogen is not a metal but in 1935, there was a theory that it could be turned into one. There was a theory that exposing it to a very high pressure will convert it into metal.
More than 80 years later, scientists from Harvard succeed in doing this. The team was led by Isaac Silvera, Thomas D. Cabot professor of Natural Science at Harvard. They placed hydrogen between two anvils and applied pressure until it turned into metal. However, some scientists wanted proof that what they made was really metal.
They were about to transport the sample to another laboratory testing when the incident happened. The scientists wanted to see if the pressure of the metallic hydrogen changed. But when they aimed a laser to the diamond, it broke and the metallic hydrogen sample cannot be found anymore, according to Fox News.
The different uses of metallic hydrogen were contemplated to change the world of physics. Its pressure can stop a bullet and pulverize it in an instant. It was so powerful that it can launch a rocket with great ease.
There were suspicions that the the sampleremained intact but because of its microscopic size, it was very difficult to find. There were also speculations that it was converted to gas again. Thankfully, all steps during the experiment were recorded on video. This made it easy to replicate experiments. Isaac Silver and his team are certain that they could make metallic hydrogen in the very near future, according to Nature World News.
Once they succeed again, they will do all tests immediately. This will convince skeptics that indeed, what they have made was metallic hydrogen after all.
