High temperature superconductors

In summary, high temperature superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without resistance at relatively high temperatures, thanks to their complex crystal structure. They have potential uses in power transmission, transportation, computing, medical imaging, and energy storage. However, they have limitations such as requiring extremely low temperatures and limited current carrying capacity, making their production and use expensive and challenging. Currently, they are being used in real-world applications such as MRI machines, high-speed trains, and specialized energy storage devices, but their use is still limited.
  • #1
Chemist@
115
1
What is the highest temperature a superconductor can work today?
 
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  • #3
Thanks for the reply. It will probably take some time to discover some that can work on less extreme temperatures.
 

1. What are high temperature superconductors?

High temperature superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without any resistance at relatively high temperatures, typically above -200 degrees Celsius. This is in contrast to traditional superconductors, which only work at extremely low temperatures near absolute zero.

2. How do high temperature superconductors work?

The exact mechanism of high temperature superconductors is still not fully understood, but it is believed that they have a complex crystal structure that allows electrons to move through the material without any loss of energy. This results in zero resistance and allows for the flow of electricity with no energy loss.

3. What are the potential applications of high temperature superconductors?

The potential applications of high temperature superconductors are vast and include more efficient power transmission, magnetic levitation for transportation, and faster and more powerful computing devices. They also have potential uses in medical imaging and energy storage.

4. What are the limitations of high temperature superconductors?

One of the main limitations of high temperature superconductors is that they require extremely low temperatures to function, which can be costly and challenging to achieve. They also have limited current carrying capacity and can be difficult to manufacture in large quantities.

5. Are high temperature superconductors being used in any real-world applications?

Yes, high temperature superconductors are currently being used in a variety of applications, including in MRI machines for medical imaging, high-speed trains for transportation, and in some specialized energy storage devices. However, their use is still limited due to the challenges of production and high cost.

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