Szupervezetk

Szupervezetk, often referred to as superconductors, are materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance when cooled below a certain critical temperature. This phenomenon was first discovered in 1911 by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes while studying mercury. When a material becomes superconducting, not only does its resistance vanish, but it also expels magnetic fields from its interior, a property known as the Meissner effect.

The critical temperature varies significantly between different materials. Early superconductors, like mercury and lead, required extremely low temperatures, often close to absolute zero, necessitating the use of liquid helium for cooling. The discovery of high-temperature superconductors, or "cuprates," in the late 1980s was a major breakthrough, as these materials can superconduct at temperatures achievable with liquid nitrogen, which is much more accessible and less expensive.

The unique properties of superconductors have led to a wide range of potential and existing applications. These include powerful electromagnets used in MRI machines and particle accelerators, levitating trains (maglev), energy-efficient power transmission, and sensitive magnetic field detectors. Research continues to explore new superconducting materials with higher critical temperatures and better mechanical properties, aiming to unlock even more transformative technological advancements.