Superconductivity is a phenomenon where certain materials can conduct electricity

without resistance when cooled below a critical temperature. This unique property
was first discovered in mercury by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes in 1911. Superconductors
are used in various applications, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particle
accelerators, and quantum computing. The most intriguing aspect of
superconductivity is the Meissner effect, where superconductors expel magnetic
fields, allowing for magnetic levitation. High-temperature superconductors,
discovered in the 1980s, can operate at more practical temperatures, although still
quite cold. These materials hold potential for revolutionizing power transmission and
storage, offering lossless electrical grids. Understanding and finding new
superconductors that work at even higher temperatures remains a major scientific
challenge. Advances in this field could lead to significant technological
breakthroughs, making many applications more efficient and feasible.