Are there room temperature superconductors? What's the purpose of a superconductor? And is it a feasible...

Question

...or a hopeless pursuit?

Answer 1

There are no known room temperature superconductors... yet.

While I can't say what the purpose of a superconductor is (that's kind of an existential question), it would have many uses. The biggest boon would be the ability to transmit electrictiy without loss, that is, without converting any of the electrical energy into heat.

Answer 2

As I understand it, a room temperature superconductor is pretty much the holy grail of superconductor research. A superconductor transmits energy with essentially no energy loss; most things that are conductors lose energy in the form of heat because of their resistance to the flow (that's what makes your electric stove heat up, for instance). Right now, to achieve zero resistence to electrical flow, a metal must be cooled to near-absolute-zero; which obviously uses more energy than it saves.

As to the hopelessness of finding such a material - I think perhaps one day something will be found, although I don't have anything more than my own personal hunch to back that up.

Answer 3

Not yet. A superconductor has (near) zero resistance, making it a very efficient way to move power from one place to another.

It gets more feasible every year. Keep trying, Dr. Frankenstein! :)

Answer 4

Room temp super conductors - not yet.

However, there is supposed to be a new MRI system hitting the market that doesn't not require cryogens (liquid helium) to keep the conductor cold. It would require standard coolants.

It is supposed to be a .5T open MRI. I'll believe it when I see it. EVERY other MRI that I have worked on requires cryogens to keep the superconductor cool.

Answer 5

Not yet. To eliminate transmission losses (7% of all electricity produced is lost as line losses).