Scientists break 30-year superconductivity record at normal pressure

Researchers at the University of Houston have set a new world record for superconductivity at ambient pressure, achieving a transition temperature of 151 Kelvin (about minus 122 degrees Celsius). This breakthrough surpasses a record that stood for over 30 years and marks the highest temperature at which a material can conduct electricity with zero resistance without requiring high-pressure conditions. The discovery holds significant promise for advancing energy-efficient technologies and reducing power transmission losses. The team, led by physicists Wu Chu and Liangzi Deng at the Texas Center for Superconductivity (TcSUH), demonstrated that superconductivity can be sustained at higher temperatures under normal pressure, making practical applications more feasible. Superconductors allow electricity to flow without resistance, eliminating energy loss as heat, which currently accounts for about 8% loss in electrical grids. By raising the operating temperature, the need for costly cooling systems diminishes, potentially enabling widespread use in power grids, energy storage, medical imaging, fusion reactors, and quantum computing. This advancement builds on decades of research aimed at increasing the superconducting transition temperature (Tc). The 1987 discovery of YBCO (yttrium barium copper oxide) was a landmark in high-temperature superconductivity, but it still required cooling to very low temperatures. Achieving a Tc of 151 Kelvin at ambient pressure represents a critical step toward making superconducting technologies more accessible and affordable. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was supported by Intellectual Ventures, the state of Texas, and several foundations. The breakthrough not only offers potential economic benefits by conserving billions of dollars in lost electricity but also reduces environmental impacts by improving energy efficiency. With superconductors operating at higher temperatures and normal pressure, scientists can more easily study and develop new materials and devices, accelerating innovation in fields ranging from ultrafast electronics to sustainable energy solutions.