Today we have superconductors levitating trains for high-speed transportation, superconductors wired as ultra-sensitive sensors for MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and superconducting coils powering ultra-strong electromagnets for beam steering in particle accelerators. However, if a room-temperature version of these superconductors -- which today have to be ultra-cooled -- could be found, then they could lower the power consumption and increase the capabilities of mobile devices almost immeasurably.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have not solved the room-temperature superconductivity problem, but they have proven that a new material exhibits superconductivity in a new way, which they think may lead to cracking the secret to room-temperature superconductivity. Once understood, engineers will be able to create "designer" materials that are compatible with CMOS and yet superconduct at room temperature.
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