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Pictured: Superconducting Hoverboard
Superconducting materials are not just limited to metals like aluminum, calcium, tin, and lead. Some non-metallic elements, such as silicon, sulfur, and phosphorus, can also become superconductors under extreme pressure. These materials have the potential to revolutionize technology and energy transmission.
The sci-fi film *Avatar* captured our imaginations with its breathtaking visuals and the magical world of Pandora. One of the most iconic scenes was the Hallelujah Mountains, floating effortlessly above the clouds. This fantasy world inspired many to wonder: what kind of material could allow such massive structures to hover? In the movie, it’s explained through a fictional mineral called “Unobtanium,†a room-temperature superconductor that interacts with magnetic fields to keep the mountains suspended. This concept sparked curiosity about real-world superconductivity and its potential applications.
So, what exactly is a superconducting material? Why does it play such a crucial role in magnetic levitation? And is there a room-temperature superconductor on Earth today?
The Power of Superconductivity
A Super-Guided Board Can Even Suspend Sumo Players
Superconductivity refers to the phenomenon where certain materials exhibit zero electrical resistance when cooled below a critical temperature. This means that once an electric current starts flowing through a superconductor, it can persist indefinitely without losing any energy. Additionally, superconductors are completely diamagnetic, meaning they expel magnetic fields from their interior. This property allows them to repel magnets, creating powerful magnetic levitation effects.
This principle is used in superconducting magnetic levitation, where a superconductor can be made to float above a magnet. The force generated is strong enough to lift heavy objects—like sumo wrestlers. Such technology has promising applications in transportation, energy storage, and more.
Superconducting Conditions
Critical Temperature "Poorly Low"
Although superconductivity is a fascinating phenomenon, it requires very specific conditions. Most superconducting materials only work at temperatures near absolute zero. For example, the first discovered superconductor, mercury, had a critical temperature of around 4K (-269°C). This makes it extremely difficult to use in everyday life, as cooling to such low temperatures requires expensive liquid helium.
For decades, scientists believed that the maximum possible critical temperature for superconductivity would not exceed 40K. However, breakthroughs in the 1980s led to the discovery of high-temperature superconductors, which operate at higher temperatures, making them more practical for research and development.
A Prediction That Once Confused HTS Research
In 1957, physicists Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer developed a theory explaining superconductivity in conventional materials. They proposed that electrons pair up and move freely without resistance. Based on this theory, it was predicted that no superconductor could exist above 40K. This discouraged researchers for a while, but it didn’t stop them from exploring new possibilities.
Superconducting Hope
The High-Temperature Superconducting Family Is Growing
Despite the challenges, scientists continued their search for better superconductors. In 1986, Böchler and Müller discovered a copper oxide ceramic material that became superconducting at 35K. Soon after, Chinese researchers found materials with even higher critical temperatures, such as Y-Ba-Cu-O, which reached 93K. These discoveries marked the beginning of the high-temperature superconducting era.
Today, superconductors come in many forms, including metals, alloys, oxides, and even organic compounds. Researchers are constantly discovering new families of superconductors, such as magnesium diboride (MgBâ‚‚) and iron-based superconductors, which operate at higher temperatures and are more suitable for practical use.
Hydrogen Is "High Hopes"
One of the most exciting prospects in superconductivity is hydrogen. Theoretical predictions suggest that under extreme pressure, hydrogen could become a metallic conductor and potentially a room-temperature superconductor. While experimental confirmation is still ongoing, this discovery could change everything—from energy transmission to transportation systems.
As we continue to push the boundaries of science, the dream of room-temperature superconductors may soon become a reality. Imagine walking on floating platforms or sleeping on a cloud-like sofa powered by magnetic levitation. The future of superconductivity is bright, and we're only just beginning to explore its full potential.
Author: Wen Luohui, Ph.D. in Physics from the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Researcher specializing in neutron scattering studies of high-temperature superconductors.
Solar panels capture the sun's energy and convert it into electricity. A typical solar panel is made up of individual solar cells, which are up of layers of silicon, boron, and phosphorus. The boron layer provides the positive charge, the phosphorus layer provides the negative charge, and the wafers act as semiconductors. When photons from the sun hit the surface of the panel, they knock electrons free from the silicon and into the field generated by the solar cell. This creates a directional current that can then be converted into usable power. The whole process is known as the photovoltaic effect A standard solar panel has 36, 60, 72, or 90 individual solar cells.
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