Chapter 1: What are Room-Temperature Superconductors?
Room-temperature superconductors refer to unique materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance under ambient temperature and pressure conditions. Unlike conventional electrical conductors, these superconductors can transmit electrical energy without any loss. Room-temperature superconductors have been a long-standing dream and academic challenge for scientists.
Superconductors are materials that lose electrical resistance below a certain temperature, and as the temperature decreases, electrical resistance also decreases, implying no loss of electrical energy. This temperature is called the critical temperature (Tc). Superconductors exhibit a characteristic of having zero electrical resistance regardless of temperature changes or the magnitude of the current when they are below the critical temperature.
However, to practically utilize superconductors, the critical temperature needs to be increased and improved to work at room temperature. Since the initial discovery of superconductors, many scientists have been researching different materials to find substances that exhibit superconducting phenomena at room temperature and ambient pressure.
If room-temperature superconductors become a reality, energy efficiency in the entire process of power transmission will be greatly improved, significantly reducing energy consumption. In 2020, researchers succeeded in observing superconducting phenomena at room temperature but still needed to apply high-energy pressure (source).
The discovery and development of room-temperature superconductors are still ongoing, and when this technology becomes commercialized, it is expected to bring innovative changes to various fields, including improvements in power infrastructure.
Chapter 2: The Principles and Development of Room-Temperature Superconductors
Superconductors are materials that completely lose electrical resistance when their temperature falls below a certain level. The superconducting phenomenon is explained by the Cameron-Onnesi Lutz rule (the lowest energy state of a hydrogen atom according to atomic orbit theory). The principle involves hydrogen ions interacting with each other to minimize energy by reducing structural movement.
The development process of superconductors can be broadly divided into three generations.
First Generation Superconductors: Metallic Superconductors
The study of superconductors began in 1911 when Dr. Heike Kamerlingh Onnes exposed mercury to the cryogenic environment of liquid helium and discovered that metallic mercury's electrical resistance disappeared. Subsequently, metallic superconductor research was conducted in various countries around the world.
Second Generation Superconductors: High-Temperature Superconductors
In 1986, scientists such as Georg Bednorz and Alex Müller used a material similar to negative silicon, called cuprates, to confirm that the superconducting phenomenon could occur at high temperatures. From this point on, high-temperature superconductor research advanced rapidly, with high-temperature metal oxide materials being the primary focus.
Third Generation Superconductors: Room-Temperature Superconductors
The most notable recent research involves room-temperature superconductors. In 2020, researchers discovered that when pressure was applied to compounds using hydrogen, carbon, and knee-joint ceramics, a superconducting phenomenon occurred at room temperature and ambient pressure (source). Room-temperature superconductors are still in the early stages of research, but their commercialization is expected to bring innovative changes to various fields.
Understanding the principles and development of room-temperature superconductors allows us to grasp how this technology is being realized. Based on this, we will examine the applications and current status of room-temperature superconductors in the next chapter.
Chapter 3: Applications and Current Status of Room-Temperature Superconductors
If room-temperature superconductor technology becomes commercialized, it is expected to bring innovations to various fields related to power infrastructure. Here are the main areas of application and the current status of room-temperature superconductors.
1. Improving Energy Transmission Efficiency
Room-temperature superconductors have almost no loss in electrical conductivity, resulting in very high energy transmission efficiency. By utilizing this technology, it can be applied to power device components or high-performance electrical cables, significantly reducing energy storage and transmission losses compared to existing electrical equipment.
2. Innovations in Transportation Sector
Room-temperature superconductors are expected to bring innovations to rail and road transportation systems. For example, magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology using superconducting magnets can make complex urban transportation systems more economically lightweight. Additionally, it can be applied to electric vehicles, potentially leading to a significant improvement in battery capacity.
3. Medical Device Development
Room-temperature superconductors can also be applied in the development of various medical devices. For instance, the performance of technologies like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) is expected to improve significantly with the progress of room-temperature superconductors.
Currently, room-temperature superconductors are in the early stages of research. Although researchers observed the superconducting phenomenon at room temperature in 2020, the pressure still required is high, and more time is needed for commercialization (source). However, continuous research and development in this field is ongoing, and further innovations can be anticipated.
We have examined the main areas of application and the current status of room-temperature superconductors. In the next chapter, we will explore the future prospects and development potential of room-temperature superconductors.
Chapter 4: Future Prospects and Development Potential of Room-Temperature Superconductors
When room-temperature superconductor technology becomes a reality, it is expected to bring innovative changes to various fields. Below are the future prospects and development potential of room-temperature superconductors.
1. Decreased Energy Consumption
If room-temperature superconductors are commercialized, they can significantly reduce the energy consumed in transmission and storage of electricity. This is expected to greatly improve energy efficiency and mitigate environmental issues as well as power supply shortages.
2. Sustainable Energy Development
The construction of a fault-free power grid using room-temperature superconductors will allow stable energy supply and efficient power storage, paving the way for more sustainable utilization of renewable energy sources.
3. Promotion of Industrial and Technological Innovations
The development of room-temperature superconductor theory and the commercialization of related technologies will drive innovation across various industries. Significant changes are anticipated in high-performance electronic devices, nuclear power facilities, and superconducting railway systems, which will contribute to the improvement of economic and energy efficiency.
4. Expansion of International Cooperation
Research on room-temperature superconductors is being conducted through collaboration among scientists worldwide. This international cooperation can accelerate the pace of research and technological innovations, as well as strengthen global competitiveness.
Research and development in room-temperature superconductors are still in the early stages. However, the continuous progress in technology and innovation efforts makes the future prospects for room-temperature superconductors bright. As the technology advances and we learn more about how it can be applied and implemented, it can bring numerous innovations across various fields in the future.
