pairing gap tagged posts

For the past century since their discovery, superconductors and their mysterious atomic properties have left researchers in awe. These special materials allow electricity to flow through them without any energy loss. They even allow trains to levitate.

But superconductors typically only work at extremely cold temperatures. When these materials are heated, they become ordinary conductors, which allow electricity to flow but with some energy lost; or insulators, which don’t conduct electricity at all.

Researchers have been hard at work looking for superconductor materials that can perform their magic at higher temperatures—perhaps even room temperature someday...