Superconductors have been a subject of intense research in recent years due to their potential for use in technological applications. These materials have the property of losing all electrical resistance when they are cooled to extreme temperatures, making them ideal for use in high-speed trains, magnetic levitation systems and other advanced technologies. However, one of the challenges associated with superconductors is that they require extreme refrigeration to achieve this state. Every superconductor has a transition temperature above which it reverts to being an ordinary conductor, and most transition temperatures are close to absolute zero.
In 2018, scientists made a significant breakthrough when they discovered a compound of lanthanum and hydrogen under extreme pressure that exhibited signs of superconductivity up to about −20° Celsius. This was the highest transition temperature for any superconductor yet discovered. While this advancement was promising, it did not lead to practical applications as the material required extreme conditions to function properly. As a result, the search for a material that can superconduct at room temperature and closer to atmospheric pressure continues.
However, claims made in 2023 that a room-temperature superconductor had been discovered were later debunked by scientists who called for new standards in identifying superconductivity. Despite this setback, researchers continue their efforts to develop new materials with higher transition temperatures and more stable properties that can be used in real-world applications.
