superconductivity?

[lu88]

What is the peoples take on here about superconductivity?
Any thoughts on how it could be done at room temperature?
Is the longitudinal current superconducting? If not why not?

[UnemployedMech]

I guess you are referring to semi-conductors, which are materials (ceramics) which display superconducting properties at very low temperatures. I am correct in my summation?

The golden goal is to achieve the superconductive property at or near room temperature. Gradually, as more ceramics are discovered and tested, the temperatures have been lowering but there still remains a great deal of research necessary. Last I heard (and this was a year ago or so when I was in college) worked was being conducted on Iron based conductors which performed at 55K which is still incredibly cold but much warmer than was ever thought possible.

I personally do not believe that we will ever achieve a room temperature superconductor. I suspect however, that we will eventually reach the point in which we can achieve performance at a high enough temperature that the cost of investment in terms of cooling is a net zero.

Semi-conductors themselves, even when they don't achieve the best performance, is a huge industry. Lots of money involved. My ex-brother in law is an electrical engineering for a company that sells them. He makes BANK!

[lu88]

Cheers for your reply, does any one know if there is resistance in longitudinal currents?