superconductingtonormal

Superconductors are materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance when cooled below a certain critical temperature. This phenomenon, known as superconductivity, was first discovered in 1911 by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes. When a material becomes superconducting, it can conduct electricity indefinitely without losing energy as heat.

Beyond zero resistance, superconductors also expel magnetic fields from their interior, a property called the Meissner effect. This expulsion can levitate a magnet above a superconductor. The critical temperature varies greatly among different superconducting materials, with conventional superconductors typically requiring extremely low temperatures, often near absolute zero.

The discovery of high-temperature superconductors in 1986, which operate at relatively higher temperatures (though still well below room temperature), has spurred significant research. These materials, often complex ceramic oxides, have broadened the potential applications of superconductivity.

Potential applications for superconductors are vast and include lossless power transmission lines, powerful electromagnets for MRI machines and particle accelerators, high-speed levitating trains, and highly sensitive magnetic field detectors. However, the need for cryogenic cooling remains a significant challenge for widespread adoption, driving ongoing research into materials that superconduct at even higher temperatures.