Superconductivity is a phenomenon occurring in certain materials at extremely low temperatures (on the order of -200 degrees Celsius), characterized by exactly zero electrical resistance and the exclusion of the interior magnetic field (the Meissner effect).
In conventional superconductors, superconductivity is caused by a force of attraction between certain conduction electrons arising from the exchange of phonons, which causes the conduction electrons to exhibit a superfluid phase composed of correlated pairs of electrons. There also exists a class of materials, known as unconventional superconductors, that exhibit superconductivity but whose physical properties contradict the theory of conventional superconductors. In particular, the so-called high-temperature superconductors superconduct at temperatures much higher—though still far below room temperature—than should be possible according to the conventional theory. There is currently no complete theory of high-temperature superconductivity. However, researchers across the globe have studied this topic extensively for the rewards of developing a working theory on superconductivity would be immense. Not only would such a discovery be worthy of a Nobel Prize, but would also be very lucrative. Every year, millions of dollars are lost because of electrical current loss flowing through regular metal wires. If superconductivity could occur at normal temperatures, then every single wire on the planet would be made of this new material equaling billions and billions of dollars.
More on [ Superconductivity ]
Condensed Matter :: Physics
Cryotechnology :: Technology
Electricity Generation and Distribution :: Energy

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A Directory of Superconductor Resources on the Web. - Provides links to web resources on all aspects of superconductors, including research and development, applications, producers, education and public policy.
Acroscape - Acroscape's research on superconducting materials focuses on the development of materials and manufacturing processes for the superconducting wires that have a high potential for improved conductor performance and low fabrication costs.
Meta Description: [ Acroscape develops innovative ideas with technological, economical and social significance. ]
American Magnetics, Inc. - AMI is an engineering and manufacturing firm specializing in superconducting magnet design and manufacturing. In Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Meta Description: [ AMI was established in 1968 as an engineering and manufacturing firm specializing in superconducting magnet design and manufacturing. AMI manufactures superconducting magnet systems and cryogenic level instrumentation. ]
American Superconductor - ASC performs research and development in high temperature superconductor (HTS) technology for the global electric power industry. Westborough, MA and Dusseldorf, Germany.
Meta Description: [ American Superconductor ]
Applied Superconductivity Center - Applied Superconductivity Center at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Research papers, superconductor images, links to other labs.
Meta Description: [ The Applied Superconductivity Center advances the science and technology of superconductivity and particularly superconductivity applications. . ]
ARS Associates: Instruments and systems for superconductivity - ARS Associates is a manufacturer's representative in the fields of cryogenics, vacuum / eemiconductor process equipment, and superconductivity, including superconducting magnets, instrumentation, and cryostats. In Allentown, PA.
Meta Description: [ ARS Associates - is a Manufacturer's Representative in the fields of Cryogenics, Vacuum / Semiconductor Process Equipment and Superconductivity. Our product line brings together a wide range of complementary components and subsystems from the leading ... ]
Colorado Futurescience - Good introductory material on superconductors, including instructions for Making Superconductors in a High School Science Laboratory, and complete superconductor kits for science educators.
Meta Description: [ Colorado Futurescience Home Page ]
Colorado Superconductor, Inc. - Supplier of educational superconductor kits and supplies. Also a lot of clear on-line information about superconducting. In Fort Collins, CO.
Cryogenic Limited - Superconductivity and cryomagnetic low temperature engineering and instrumentation. London, with many international contacts listed.
Meta Description: [ Cryogenic Ltd ]
Cryoton Co. Ltd - Russian company manufacturing equipment for superconducting electronics. It specializaes in dc-SQUID-based equipment including fiberglass cryostats, measuring probes, and electronics and software for data collection and analysis. In Troitsk, Moscow Region, Russia.
Diboride Conductors Ltd. - Develops superconducting products based on magnesium diboride. In Cambridge, UK.
High-Tc Update - An international newsletter on the latest development on superconducting materials. A good source for recent preprints related to superconductivity. From the High-Tc Superconductivity Information Center at Iowa State University.
Meta Description: [ Latest superconductivity research, upcoming conferences, and technology news. Large searchable database. Archives of our long-running, well-respected newsletter. ]
Intermagnetics General Corporation - IGC is a developer and manufacturer of superconducting materials, radio-frequency coils, magnets, superconducting wire, cable and tape, and related refrigeration equipment. In Latham, New York, with manufacturing plants in several states. Several major divisions, including IGC-SuperPower, IGC-APD Cryogenics, and IGC-Advanced Superconductors (IGC-AS).
Meta Description: [ Intermagnetics is a leading independent developer, manufacturer and marketer of cutting edge technology to advance MR imaging and patient care. ]
Magnavolt Technologies, Inc. - Manufacturer of compact superconducting magnets, cryogen free magnet systems, AC DC measurement equipment of magnetic properties, and helium cryostats. In Plattsburgh, NY.
Meta Description: [ Magnavolt provides products and services for DC Low Voltage power supplies, High voltage DC Power Supplies to Scientific and Research facilities worldwide. We also have Superconducting Magnets, Cryogen-free magnets, pulsed power products, Electronic measurement and test equipment. ]
SCENET - European Network for Superconductivity - Links government laboratories, universities and industrial laboratories of the European Community, Switzerland, Norway and Israel to investigate technology and applications of superconductivity.
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Scientists Hunt for Superconductor Silicon Replacement - Wired News, Nov. 7, 1997.
Meta Description: [ Read in-depth coverage of current and future trends in technology, and how they are shaping business, entertainment, communications, science, politics, and culture at Wired.com. ]
Superconducting DNA - A description of research that has demonstrated proximity induced superconductivity within individual DNA molecules. Feb. 23, 2001.
Meta Description: [ This site is covers a range of topics about Logistics & Supply Chain Management for the beginner as well as the advanced user. It outlines proven methodologies and approaches that will help managers and small business owners manage their supply chain more efficiently. ]
Superconductivity Links - A large link list of superconductivity data bases, free journals, papers and news, and university institute sites by a Korean PhD. candidate. Also available in Korean language.
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Superconductivity Technology Center - Los Alamos National Laboratory research center tells about superconductivity, its research, and current and future applications.
Meta Description: [ Description metadata should be 25-30 words and written from the specific to the general. Put your top keywords first but don't repeat title information. ]
Superconductors - Physics - 11/17/98 - A look at what makes some conductors super, from About.com
Meta Description: [ This GuideSite focuses on the science of physics, addressing the major theories of physics, laws of physics, physical equations, the scientific method, history of physics, and physics experiments, as well as advice in completing physics homework. ]
Superconductors.org - Superconductor Information for the Beginner. A nicely written site, with much basic information. Great for students and educated laymen.
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The Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University of Houston - A multidisciplinary center for basic and applied research on superconducting materials.
TRITHOR GmbH - Trithor manufactures Bi-2223 HTS Wires (HTS-temperature superconductor) for the global electric power industry, MRI/NMR- and magnet technology, located in Rheinbach, Germany.
University of Tokyo: Department of Superconductivity - Uchida's Group, working on high-temperature superconducting.
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