SUPERCONDUCTORS

Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without any resistance
when cooled below a critical temperature. This phenomenon was first discovered
in 1911 by Heike Kamerlingh Onnes. When a material becomes superconducting,
it can carry an electric current indefinitely without losing energy as heat, unlike
traditional conductors where energy is lost due to resistance.
One of the key characteristics of superconductors is the critical temperature (Tc),
which varies depending on the material. Above this temperature, the material
behaves like a normal conductor, but below it, it transitions into the
superconducting state.
Superconductors have various applications due to their unique properties. They
are used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, particle accelerators,
and magnetic levitation (maglev) trains. Superconducting magnets can generate
extremely strong magnetic fields, making them crucial in medical diagnostics and
research.
High-temperature superconductors (HTS) were discovered in the late 1980s, which
operate at temperatures higher than traditional superconductors. This discovery
opened up new possibilities for practical applications, as cooling materials to
extremely low temperatures is expensive and complex.
Overall, superconductors revolutionize technology by enabling efficient energy
transmission, powerful magnets, and advanced scientific instruments.