deVere Investor Insight - Q1 2021

18 Investor Insight // Q1 - 2021 The result of the developments of science and technology are all around us and the latest discovery related to superconductivity can shape a magical future. But let us get through the scientific part first: superconductivity. The reason why a bulb or your iPhone heats up when it is being used is because the electrons pass through the metal wires are hitting the surface at times, creating kinetic energy, therefore losing some of the energy being given. As the atoms hit the surface and heat it up, the electrons lose speed making electrical resistance. On the other hand, superconductors are made for the elections to pass by quickly without being hindered or losing any of the energy. Superconductivity was discovered by Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes who cooled mercury down to 4 degrees Kelvin. These are designed specifically tightly together to ensure that molecules go straight and not hit any surfaces, finding no resistance. In short, it is a way to clear the street from traffic for a car to pass quickly. Recently, physicists have reached a long-sought goal, as they discovered a material that conducts electricity without any resistance at temperatures of up to about 15 °C. despite the material being still fairly unclear, it is said that it is a compound of hydrogen, carbon and sulphur. Condensed matter theorist at the University of the Basque Country in Spain, Ion Errea pointed out, “This is the first time we can really claim that room-temperature superconductivity has been found.” The compound was discovered by a team led by Ranga Dias of the University of Rochester, has one main downside to it. It can only survive under extremely high pressures. materials scientist at the University of Cambridge, Chris Prickard said, “People have talked about room-temperature superconductivity forever,” adding, “They may not have quite appreciated that when we did it, we were going to do it at such high pressures.” Therefore, scientists must work to find uses for it whilst operating in normal temperatures and under everyday pressures. As a result of such materials, super- efficient electrical systems are possible. Superconductivity can be deemed as magical due to the Meissner effect, during which the magnetic flux inside the material is completely cancelled. As a result, a magnet could be levitated above a superconducting plate cooled by liquid nitrogen, hinted at the aforementioned futuristic society with floating cars. For the past two decades, Japan has been developing MagLev trains, which are trains that float above the track using superconducting magnets. Moreover, the development of superconductivity has allowed doctors to be able to examine the body without performing surgery through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. The issue with these materials was that the superconductivity only works within a few degrees of absolute zero... until now.