Superconductivity

Superconductivity Definition and short history - Superconductivity was discovered in the early 1900’s by a Dutch physicist named Heike Kamerlingh Onnes. He observed that when cooled to very low temperatures, mercury had no electrical resistance. This phenomenon is defined as the ability of certain materials to conduct electrical current with no resistance and extremely low losses.

Recent Discoveries - When it was first discovered, superconductivity didn’t provide a practical method for transporting electricity. It required extremely low temperatures to operate, and wasn’t very cost efficient. However, in 1986 a new class of ceramic superconductors came into use that allowed for high-temperature superconductivity (HTS). This discovery was the answer to low-cost, practical superconductivity, and changed the way electricity is used in modern society.

Uses in modern society - In today’s society superconductors allow for more efficient energy use, and drastically reduce the costs of energy production. A few examples of current uses for superconductivity include: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, and Maglev trains. MRI machines allow for imaging of the internal organs, and can often prevent unnecessary surgeries. Maglev trains are a recent development that use superconducting magnets and allow for ground transportation that can reach speeds of up to 340 miles per hour.

Potential Uses – In the future, superconductivity will be used in power transmission cables, motors, generators, and for energy storage. With the use of superconductivity, power transmission cables will allow for a large current to travel without any energy losses. Many different prototypes are already in the development stages. Superconducting wires will be used in motors to decrease the overall size and make them more energy efficient. Some motors have been constructed using the new technology and are currently being tested. In terms of generators, superconducting wires will be used in place of iron magnets. This substitution will have the same results as in motors. It will allow for a lighter, smaller and more fuel-efficient generator. In the area of energy storage, superconductivity will be used in flywheel systems to increase the quality and reliability of the power transmitted. It will also allow the utilities companies to generate and store large amounts of energy when it production costs are low. They can then sell the energy at a high rate when demand is high, and make a greater profit.