Why Everyone Is Obsessed With Ambient Superconductors: QuickTake

Superconductivity is having a moment. The concept of developing techniques for transporting electricity with no resistance is tantalizing because it has the potential to revolutionize the energy industry, reducing waste, lowering bills and helping to curb global warming. But superconductivity has so far only been achieved at extreme temperatures — like -269C (-452F) — or pressure, limiting its use to a handful of expensive applications like hospital MRI scanners. That’s why claims this year about a breakthrough in finding the first room-temperature superconductor technology grabbed the world’s attention and sparked surges in certain Korean and Chinese stocks. Some scientists expressed ...