The Inorganic Chemistry class recently demonstrated their success at making the classic “1-2-3 superconductor” in lab. The name comes from the required proportion of metal atoms in the the formula, YBa2Cu3O7. A correctly synthesized superconductor will repel other magnetic substances when it is cooled below its critical temperature. The students were able to demonstrate this effect by using liquid nitrogen to cool the superconductor pellets and then levitate small fragments of magnets above them. Pictured above is a successfully levitated magnet!