Superconductor

Description

Superconductors are materials which have zero resistance to electronic flow, first observed in 1911 in mercury cooled to 4.2 K. Since then, research labs around the world have attempted to discover superconductors that work at higher temperatures. With the discovery of lanthanum barium copper oxide, the first 'high temperature' superconductor, superconductivity could be achieved at readily accessible liquid nitrogen temperature. Superconductors can produce extremely strong magnetic fields, used in MRI and some maglev trains. Low-loss power cables and fast digital circuits take advantage of the zero resistance property. The discovery of a room temperature superconductor is alluring to materials scientists, as they could cause a revolution in power infrastructure and fusion technology.