101.school
CoursesAbout
Search...⌘K
Generate a course with AI...

    Practical applications of Superconductors

    Receive aemail containing the next unit.
    • Introduction to Superconductors
      • 1.1Understanding Superconductivity
      • 1.2History and Development of Superconductivity
      • 1.3Properties of Superconductors
    • Different Types of Superconductors
      • 2.1Low-temperature Superconductors
      • 2.2High-temperature Superconductors
      • 2.3Classification Based on Property Changes
    • Quantum Mechanics
      • 3.1Concept of Quantum Tunneling
      • 3.2Cooper Pairs and BCS Theory
      • 3.3Introduction to Quantum Computing
    • Synthesis and Fabrication of Superconductors
      • 4.1Materials Used in Superconductors
      • 4.2Manufacturing Process
      • 4.3Scale and Feasibility
    • Superconductors and Electronics
      • 5.1Superconducting Magnets
      • 5.2Technological Applications
      • 5.3Challenges and Solutions
    • Superconductivity and Energy
      • 6.1Superconductors in Power Transmission
      • 6.2Energy Storage
      • 6.3Improving Energy Efficiency
    • Innovation and the Future of Superconductors
      • 7.1Experimental Superconductors
      • 7.2Trends in Superconductor Research
      • 7.3Potential Revolutionary Uses
    • Reflection and Discussion
      • 8.1Review and Reflections on Key Takeaways
      • 8.2Future reading

    Introduction to Superconductors

    Understanding Superconductivity

    electrical conductivity with exactly zero resistance

    Electrical conductivity with exactly zero resistance.

    Superconductivity is a quantum mechanical phenomenon where certain materials exhibit zero electrical resistance and expulsion of magnetic fields below a certain critical temperature. This state of matter was first discovered by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes in 1911 while he was studying the resistance of mercury at cryogenic temperatures.

    Zero Electrical Resistance

    One of the most striking properties of a superconductor is its ability to carry electric current without any resistance. This means that an electric current flowing in a loop of superconducting wire can persist indefinitely with no power source. In practice, these currents can persist for many years without any measurable degradation. This property is used in the construction of superconducting magnets, where the wire is wound into a coil in the shape of a toroid or solenoid.

    The Meissner Effect

    The Meissner effect, named after the German physicists Walther Meissner and Robert Ochsenfeld who discovered it in 1933, is the expulsion of a magnetic field from a superconductor during its transition to the superconducting state. The German physicists discovered that a superconducting material will repel a magnetic field. A magnet moving by a conductor induces currents in the conductor. This is the principle on which the electric generator operates. But, in a superconductor with its zero-resistance, enormous currents are set up which exactly mirror the field that would have otherwise penetrated the superconducting material, causing the magnetic field to be expelled and thus preventing the magnetic field from entering the material.

    The Implications

    The implications of these properties are profound, and the applications are numerous. Superconductors are used in a variety of applications, from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, to the construction of extremely sensitive detectors for magnetic fields, to the construction of high-speed trains that levitate above the tracks. The zero resistance property also means that superconductors could be used to improve the efficiency of power lines, which currently lose as much as 7% of their energy to heat, could be eliminated with the use of superconductors.

    In conclusion, superconductivity is a fascinating and complex phenomenon with wide-ranging implications. Its understanding and application have the potential to revolutionize numerous fields, from medicine to transportation, and continue to be an active area of research in condensed matter physics.

    Test me
    Practical exercise
    Further reading

    Howdy, any questions I can help with?

    Sign in to chat
    Next up: History and Development of Superconductivity