The development of superconductor materials marks a significant breakthrough in the fields of physics and materials science. Since the discovery of superconductivity by Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes in 1911, superconducting technology has evolved rapidly over more than a century.
- 1911 – Discovery of Superconductivity. Onnes observed the sudden disappearance of electrical resistance in mercury at 4.2K.
- 1933 – Discovery of the Meissner Effect. Superconductors were found to expel their internal magnetic fields.
- 1957 – Establishment of BCS Theory, providing a theoretical foundation for superconducting research.
- 1986 – Discovery of High-Temperature Superconductors, with ceramic copper oxide materials showing superconductivity at higher temperatures.
- 2008 – Discovery of Iron-Based Superconductors, adding a new direction to superconductor material research.
Key developments post-2008 include:
- 2012 and Beyond – Intensive Research on Iron-Based Superconductors.
- 2014 – Application in Quantum Computing.
- 2016 – Discovery of superconductivity in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) under high pressure, with a critical temperature of 203K.
- 2020 – Research on Superconductivity in Carbon-Based Materials.
- 2022 and Beyond – The Quest for Room-Temperature Superconductivity.
Recent developments include:
- 2019 – Discovery of a new class of unconventional superconductors, nickelates【28†source】.
- 2023 – Claims of room-temperature superconductivity by two research groups, though met with skepticism【38†source】.
- MIT Team’s Discovery – Iron selenide (FeSe) superconductors undergoing transition through a new mechanism, opening new avenues for unconventional superconductors【16†source】【17†source】【18†source】.
Over this century, research in superconducting materials has not only propelled the development of physics theories but also advanced technologies in various fields such as healthcare, transportation, and energy. In the future, with continuous advancements in materials science and cooling technologies, superconducting technology is expected to play a vital role in a broader range of applications.