新材料可以消除电力传输的损耗

时间：2012-08-20 06:21:30

（单词翻译:单击）

A team of researchers at RIKEN and the University of Tokyo has demonstrated a new material that promises to eliminate loss in electrical power transmission. The surprise is that their methodology for solving this classic energy problem is based upon the first realization¹ of a highly exotic type of magnetic semiconductor² first theorized less than a decade ago -- a magnetic topological（局部解剖学的） insulator³. Development of energy saving technologies is one of the central pursuits of modern science. From advancing alternative energy resources like wind and solar power to improving the infrastructure⁴ of the electrical power grid⁵, this pursuit by scientists and engineers takes on a variety of forms. One focus in recent years has been eliminating energy loss in the transmission of power itself, which by some estimates consumes more than 10% of all energy being produced. The research team has demonstrated a new material -- a magnetic topological insulator -- that can eliminate this loss.

The work by the RIKEN/UT collaboration⁶ is closely related at a landmark⁷ discovery from the 1980s, the so-called quantum Hall effect. That effect is known to produce dissipationless electricity channels, but it requires large, cumbersome⁸（笨重的） magnets to produce fields 100,000 larger than Earth's magnetic field for its operation. The RIKEN/UT collaboration circumvented⁹ this difficulty by using an exotic type of semiconductor predicted to exhibit a similar effect. In contrast to the quantum Hall effect, this effect, known as the quantum anomalous¹⁰（异常的） Hall effect, stems from the semiconductor's own magnetization rather than from an external one. At the heart of this new phenomenon is the interaction between magnetic ions and the topological insulator's current carrying particles (known as Dirac fermions), the latter of which are unique because they behave as if they have zero mass.

The devices produced by the RIKEN/UT team are a robust¹¹ "proof of principle," demonstrating that this new type of dissipationless transport can be harnessed in prototype transistors¹². While currently requiring cryogenic（冷冻的） conditions, improvements in materials design promises to improve the stability of the magnets, making it possible to operate them at higher temperatures. By doing away with external stimuli¹³ such as magnetic fields and, in the future, cryogenic cooling, these new magnetic topological insulators¹⁴ may represent the most efficient path to modernizing¹⁵ the power grid by eliminating loss in energy transfer.

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1 realization
n.实现；认识到，深刻了解
参考例句：
We shall gladly lend every effort in our power toward its realization.我们将乐意为它的实现而竭尽全力。 He came to the realization that he would never make a good teacher.他逐渐认识到自己永远不会成为好老师。

2 semiconductor
n.半导体
参考例句：
In the beginning,engineers hoped to use semiconductor lasers.在开始时，工程师们希望能够利用半导体激光器。 The main agent of the company brand semiconductor sales.本公司主要代理各品牌半导体销售。

3 insulator
n.隔离者；绝缘体
参考例句：
Few substances can equal fur as an insulator.作为绝缘体很少有其他材料能与动物皮毛相媲美。 A loose mulch acts on the surface as an insulator.疏松的覆盖物在土壤表面起了隔热的作用。

4 infrastructure
n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施
参考例句：
We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。 We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

5 grid
n.高压输电线路网；地图坐标方格；格栅
参考例句：
In this application,the carrier is used to encapsulate the grid.在这种情况下，要用载体把格栅密封起来。 Modern gauges consist of metal foil in the form of a grid.现代应变仪则由网格形式的金属片组成。

6 collaboration
n.合作，协作；勾结
参考例句：
The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。 He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

7 landmark
n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标
参考例句：
The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。 The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

8 cumbersome
adj.笨重的，不便携带的
参考例句：
Although the machine looks cumbersome,it is actually easy to use.尽管这台机器看上去很笨重，操作起来却很容易。 The furniture is too cumbersome to move.家具太笨，搬起来很不方便。

9 circumvented
v.设法克服或避免（某事物），回避( circumvent的过去式和过去分词 )；绕过，绕行，绕道旅行
参考例句：
By such means the ban against dancing was circumvented. 这样，舞蹈就不至于被禁止。来自英汉非文学 - 民俗 It can therefore be circumvented by address manipulation and explicit type conversion. 因而可以通过地址操纵和显式型别转换来绕过此保护功能。来自互联网

10 anomalous
adj.反常的；不规则的
参考例句：
For years this anomalous behaviour has baffled scientists.几年来这种反常行为让科学家们很困惑。 The mechanism of this anomalous vascular response is unknown.此种不规则的血管反应的机制尚不清楚。

11 robust
adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的
参考例句：
She is too tall and robust.她个子太高，身体太壮。 China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道，中国希望保持经济强势增长，以减少贫困和失业状况。

12 transistors
晶体管( transistor的名词复数 )；晶体管收音机，半导体收音机
参考例句：
In semiconductor receivers transistors take the place of vacuum tubes. 在半导体收音机中晶体管代替了真空管。 We often turn to this handbook for information on transistors. 我们常从这本手册查阅有关晶体管的资料。

13 stimuli
n.刺激（物）
参考例句：
It is necessary to curtail or alter normally coexisting stimuli.必需消除或改变正常时并存的刺激。 My sweat glands also respond to emotional stimuli.我的汗腺对情绪刺激也能产生反应。

14 insulators
绝缘、隔热或隔音等的物质或装置( insulator的名词复数 )
参考例句：
There is no sharp line separating conductors from insulators. 实际上并没有一个明显的界限将半导体和绝缘体分开。 To reduce heat losses the pipes are covered by thermal insulators. 为了减少热散失，管子外包保温层。

15 modernizing
使现代化，使适应现代需要( modernize的现在分词 )；现代化，使用现代方法
参考例句：
Modernizing a business to increase its profitability and competitiveness is a complicated affair. 使企业现代化，从而达到增加利润，增强竞争力的目的，是一件复杂的事情。 The young engineer had a large share in modernizing the factory. 这位年轻工程师在工厂现代化的过程中尽了很大的“力”。