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Qualight Environmental is a Proud Sponsor of:

The Illumination Foundation

Since the discovery of superconductivity in 1911, the discovery of a true, room-temperature superconductor material has remained an elusive goal. Superconductors are materials that have no resistance to the flow of electricity below the critical temperature (T_c) of the material. Materials that could potentially transport electricity with zero loss (resistance) at room temperature hold vast potential.

Since the discovery of the superconductivity property in mercury by Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, Leiden University, in 1911, the field of superconductivity has been constantly evolving as new engineered materials are developed, pushing the temperature limits of superconductivity to new levels.

In 1986, Alex Müller and Georg Bednorz, IBM Research Laboratory, Rüschlikon, Switzerland, discovered superconducting properties (T_c = 30-58 K) in a synthesized Lanthanum, Barium, Copper and Oxygen compound. Prior to this discovery,ceramic compounds were not being considered viable candidates for high-temperature superconductors due to their normally insulative properties.

The official world record T_c of 138 K is now held by a thallium-doped, mercuric-cuprate material comprised of the elements Mercury, Thallium, Barium, Calcium, Copper and Oxygen. The T_c of this ceramic superconductor was confirmed by Dr. Ron Goldfarb at the National Institute of Standards and Technology-Colorado in February of 1994. Under extreme pressure its T_c can be coaxed up even higher - approximately 25 to 30 degrees more at 300,000 atmospheres.

OUR INITIAL DISCOVERY

In late 2007, a team of researchers and a lab assistant, were pursuing research in the creation of new, high-K dielectric materials to develop ultra-high value capacitors. The line of research was part of a larger project to improve the identification of soil/rock types in soil and groundwater monitoring well borings. The pursuit of high-K dielectrics was an extension of our continuing interest in the work of T. Townsend Brown, and was made possible by funding through Qualight Environmental.

The line of research consisted of creating mixtures of ceramic materials and a binder, and utilizing a hydraulic press to compress the mixtures into discs (samples). Using the relatively new technology of microwave-sintering of ceramics, the discs were encased in an interior enclosure within a modified microwave apparatus and sintered for varying wattages and periods of time.

During one sample run, an error by the lab assistant caused a chain reaction that perpetrated the destruction of a portion of the sintering apparatus during the sample run. The resulting sample was tested per standard operating procedure, and a replacement sample run was performed once the replacement sintering apparatus was up and running. Following the conclusion of this line of research, the equipment was dismantled, sold, and/or utilized for other projects.

It was not until early 2008, that the analytical results from one independent laboratory were evaluated during routine purging of the files. It was noticed at that time that the samples from the failed sample run had displayed superconductive properties (Meissner Effect, diamagnetic X_v = -1).

After a lengthy reconstruction of the failed sample run, it was determined that the superconductive properties displayed by the samples were the result of the specific sample mixture, the location of the sample in the microwave apparatus and interior enclosure, and a dual-catalyst.

Since that time, the team has been working on designing and improving the circuitry associated with the reproduction and prototyping of the conditions surrounding the initial discovery.

RECOGNIZING AN OPPORTUNITY

The discovery of this material, named Quartzlite is not merely a change in the temperature characteristics of superconducting materials, but a paradigm shift in the understanding of materials science.

Based on initial tests, the material's superconducting properties do not deteriorate until temperatures of over 366 K (200^o F) are approached.

QUALIGHT SUPERCONDUCTING TECHNOLOGIES' TEAM:

		Mr. Andrew S. Bolland, P.G. CEO / Principal Geologist, Qualight Environmental Education: B.S. Geology / Geography, Ohio University M.S. Geology, Ohio State University Professional Geologist (P.G.) California General (B) Contractor's License (HAZ, ASB) Specialties: Geology / Physics Materials Science
		Dr. Linda R. Bolland, Pharm.D. COO, Qualight Environmental Education: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific Healthcare Executive MBA, Paul Merage School of Business       - Class of 2009 Specialties: Business
		Ms. Lisa M. Ames Corporate Marketing Manager, DATAllegro, Inc. Education: B.S. Sociology, Stanford University Specialties: Marketing strategy and planning Message and brand development ROI analysis Public relations and events
		Mr. Jason Pecora Education: B.S. Marketing, Eller College of Management, University of Arizona Fully-Employed MBA, Paul Merage School of Business       - Class of 2011 Specialties: Marketing Public relations and sales

QUALIGHT SUPERCONDUCTING TECHNOLOGIES' ADVISORS:

Mr. Mark M. Bean CEO, ReallyCoolScience Specialties: Engineering technology System design & construction High voltage / high power systems