Electrical - Superconductivity | Characteristics of Fine Ceramics | FINE CERAMICS WORLD


	Electrical



	Optical



	Physical



	Thermal



	Chemical

	The Kyocera Museum of Fine Ceramics

	KYOCERA Corporation

	Kyocera Fine Ceramic Components

HOME > Characteristics of Fine Ceramics > Electrical - Superconductivity

Superconductivity and Fine Ceramics

All metals possess some level of electrical resistance — even those that exhibit a high degree of electrical conductivity, such as iron and copper. If this resistance can be eliminated, a single charge of electricity in a conducting loop will keep flowing indefinitely. This state is called superconductivity. Researchers are now working on ways to harness this phenomenon in exciting new applications, including superconductor powered high-speed trains, energy storage systems with superconductive coils, electricity-generating superconductive motors, and computers with superconductive elements.

Superconductivity

In order to attain superconductivity, most materials must be cooled to near absolute zero (-273^oC / -459^oF), a state which cannot easily be achieved. However, some Fine Ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”) have been observed to exhibit superconductivity at significantly higher temperatures, up to about -140^oC (-220^oF).

Though a considerable amount of research and development remains to be done before superconducting Fine Ceramics find commercial applications, positive results are highly anticipated.

The term "Fine Ceramics" is interchangeable with "advanced ceramics," "technical ceramics" and "engineered ceramics." Use varies by region and industry.