The Potential of Superconductivity
Electricity is one of the most important technologies ever invented by mankind. In its usual form, it always deals with some level of electrical resistance, generating heat when an electric current circulates.
This can have severe limitations for some applications requiring too powerful current or magnetic fields, as it would lead to any electrical system simply melting down.
An alternative is superconductivity, a phenomenon where electrical resistance drops to zero. However, for a very long time, it could only be observed at ultra-low temperatures, close to absolute zero (0 K), or about -273°C/-387°K.
This changed with a discovery granted the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1987: high-temperature superconductors made of copper oxides.
Without superconductivity, plenty of modern technology would not be possible, including particle accelerators (for example, the CERN), MRIs, and maglev trains.
Superconductivity will equally be a crucial component of the most promising megaprojects and technological innovations, like ITER and nuclear fusion, mass drivers, quantum computers, etc.
Zero-loss electric power lines could also be crucial in developing ultra-long grid connections helping buffer the production of renewables over weather conditions and time zones, solving some of the limitations of solar and wind power.
Source: XOT Metals
High-Temperature Superconductivity
For now, the low-temperature requirement makes superconductivity economically viable only for high-end applications: maglev, MRI, etc.
And while scientifically interesting, superconductivity under high pressure is relatively useless in terms of practical applications.
Quite a lot of progress occurred in the superconductivity space recently that might change the situation:
- It now seems that the material produced in high pressure might be able to retain some of its superconductivity at lower pressure through an experimental method called pressure-quench protocol (PQP).
- Twisted bilayer of WSe₂ (tungsten selenium) appeared to be a good material candidate for higher-temperature superconductors as well.
- Another new class of potential superconductors, bilayer nickelates, might have been also added to the list this year.
- Then appeared the puzzling case of LK-99(a form of copper-substituted lead apatite – CSLA), potentially a new type of ambient-pressure, room-temperature superconductor.
Despite these new discoveries, to a large extent, superconductivity is a not well understood phenomenon, with a lot of shots in the dark to try to find new materials with that characteristic. So a better theoretical framework is required.
One piece of the puzzle was found in March 2025, with a better understanding of what are the possible higher temperatures for superconductivity (Tc).
Another one is the creation by researchers at the National University of Singapore of a new theoretical model that has already led to the discovery of copper-free superconducting material. This achievement was recently announced in the prestigious scientific publication Nature1, under the title “Bulk superconductivity near 40 K in hole-doped SmNiO2 at ambient pressure”.
New Superconductivity Model
Explaining Superconductivity
The researchers worked on developing a new theoretical model explaining how superconductivity works. This is a complex topic, which can be summarized more simply with a few key concepts:
Cooper pairs, or two electrons bonded together through a quantum effect, are a key element of making a material superconductive.
It is the condensation of Cooper pairs that creates superconductivity, at least according to the researchers that explained superconductivity in the first place (the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer theory, or BCS theory), and won the Nobel Prize in Physics of 1972 for this idea.
It is phonons, or the vibration at the quantum level of the material lattice, that drive the pairing of electrons in Cooper pairs. When enough Cooper pairs form, this allows for the movement of electrons throughout the material without collision, eliminating electrical resistance.
Source: Fiveable
Predicting And Producing New Superconductors
The new model predicting Cooper pair formation helps the researcher predict many potential superconductors, including many that do not include any copper atoms.
They then successfully synthesized one of the predicted materials: samarium-europium-calcium-nickel oxide (Sm-Eu-Ca)NiO₂.
“As we predicted and designed, this non-copper-based superconducting oxide demonstrates high-temperature superconductivity under atmospheric pressure at sea level, without the need for additional compression—just like copper oxides.
This finding suggests that unconventional high-temperature superconductivity is not exclusive to copper but could be a more widespread property among elements in the periodic table.”
Dr. Stephen Lin Er Chow – Researcher at the National University of Singapore
They also confirmed zero electrical resistance (superconductivity) well above 30 K in this compound. This is not only a new material to experiment with, but a proof that the model they used has predictive value, likely meaning that the other superconductive material predicted could also work. This is the first discovery of such high temperature superconductor since the 1990s.
Source: National University of Singapore
Zhaoyang Luo, a National University of Singapore PhD student, demonstrated the high crystallinity and pure-phase nature of the synthesized material using electron microscopy. This makes the new material very stable, making it a good candidate for potential future industrial applications.
“This is the first time since the Nobel-winning discovery that a copper-free high-temperature superconducting oxide has been found to function under ambient pressure.
Additionally, this new material is highly stable under ambient conditions, significantly improving its accessibility.”
Pr. Ariando – Professor at the National University of Singapore
The production method of the new material is rather robust too, with no structural defect appearing during it, further increasing the potential for practical applications.
Applications And Future Development
Now that they have a more solid theoretical framework, the researchers can try to fine-tune some specific parameters of the superconducting materials. Notably, they mention atomic and molecular characteristics like electronic occupancy shifting and hydrostatic pressure.
This could open the way to either entirely new types of superconductors or maybe even a new family of superconductors with even higher operating temperatures.
Any higher temperature superconductor that can be manufactured at scale could have two main impacts:
- Drastically reduce the cost of technologies currently using superconductors, democratizing their use, especially maglevs and MRIs.
- Open new fields of use, especially if the Tc temperature reaches high enough to match liquid nitrogen (-196°C / -320°F), a much cheaper and easy to produce coolant than the ones currently used for superconducting material.
- These new applications could include power transmission, energy storage, lasers, ships, space propulsion & access to orbit (mass drivers), etc.
This observation has profound implications for both theoretical understanding and experimental realisation of a broader scope of superconducting materials with practical applications in modern electronics,
Pr. Ariando – Professor at the National University of Singapore
Leaders in Superconductivity Solutions
American Superconductor Corporation
American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC +3.04%)
AMSC is a company providing energy solutions for the power grid, ships, and wind energy. In general, the more power-hungry or massive a system is, the more it requires superconducting technology to avoid overheating.
Despite its name, ASMC provides not only superconductor systems but also, for example, gear drivetrains for wind turbines.
The company is riding multiple growth drivers, from the trend of electrification, and digitalization (including AI datacenters), but also the reshoring of US manufacturing capacities and the need for Navies of the Anglosphere to modernize in response to growing geopolitical risks.
Source: American Superconductor Corporation
In the power supply segment, AMSC has seen a steady rise in orders. This was driven by semiconductor fabs looking to be protected from power grid fluctuations, helping the grid deal with the intermittent nature of renewables, and power supply & controls at industrial sites.
In the wind turbine segment, AMSC is mostly active with the Electrical Control System (ECS). Historically, ESC was a strong segment for the company with the 2MW wind turbines, but it has progressively declined. AMSC aims for a rebound thanks to the new 3MW turbine design, with a special focus on the Indian market.
Source: American Superconductor Corporation
For military ships, ASMC provides the “AMSC’s High Temperature Superconductor Magnetic Mine Countermeasure,” a system to alter the magnetic signature of the ships to protect them from sea mines. This is sold to the US, Canadian, and UK navies, with $75M worth of orders so far.
Overall, ASMC is doing best with leveraging superconductor technology in niche applications viable today, while likely being ready to deploy further advances in the future. It should also be noted by investors that the stock has experienced extreme volatility in the past, and they should calculate the risks accordingly.
Latest on American Superconductor Corporation
Studies Referenced:
1. Chow, S.L.E., Luo, Z. & Ariando, (2025) A. Bulk superconductivity near 40 K in hole-doped SmNiO2at ambient pressure. Nature. 20 March 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08893-4