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An investigation has found that the physicist who claimed to have developed one of the first room-temperature superconductors engaged in \u201cresearch misconduct,\u201d as first reported by The Wall Street Journal<\/em><\/a>. Ranga Dias, a researcher and assistant professor at the University of Rochester, has been under investigation by a committee of outside experts since last August<\/a> over concerns about the accuracy of his findings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThe University has completed a thorough investigation conducted by a panel of scientists external to the University who have expertise in the field,\u201d University of Rochester spokesperson Sara Miller says in a statement to The Verge<\/em>. \u201cThe committee concluded, in accordance\u00a0with University policy and federal regulations, that Dias engaged in research misconduct.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Last year, Dias co-authored a research paper in Nature<\/em><\/a> highlighting a nitrogen-doped lutetium hydride. The paper claimed the material could conduct electricity at ambient temperatures without resistance. (If that sounds familiar that\u2019s because you\u2019re thinking of the supposed LK-99 superconductor<\/a> that went viral on social media last year.) Scientists later found<\/a> inconsistencies in Dias\u2019 research.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This paper, along with some<\/a> of Dias\u2019 other work, has been retracted<\/a>. The committee \u201cidentified data reliability concerns in those papers\u201d Miller says. \u201cThe University of Rochester is committed to academic integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Before this recent probe, the university opened two inquiries into Dias\u2019 research, but it decided against opening a full investigation. As noted by the Journal<\/em>, the university could also decide to take personnel action against Dias as a next step, which is handled by the institution\u2019s provost.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Update March 20th, 5:56PM ET: <\/strong>Added a statement from a University of Rochester spokesperson.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n