Energy Outlook

By: Jacob Kim

The discovery of three exotic new forms of superconductivity in 2024 has reshaped the understanding of how materials can conduct electricity with zero resistance. Superconductivity, first observed in 1911, arises when electrons pair up under specific conditions, creating a frictionless flow of current. These new findings expand the possibilities for practical applications, especially in renewable energy and combating climate change.

The breakthroughs involve two-dimensional (2D) materials, where thin sheets of atoms are precisely arranged to exhibit superconductivity under controlled conditions. Key discoveries include twisted layers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), “magic-angle” graphene, and unprecedented chiral superconductors that defy existing theories. These materials allow scientists to fine-tune their properties, uncovering new ways for electrons to pair without relying on traditional mechanisms.

These advancements have profound implications. Superconducting power lines could eliminate the 10% electricity loss currently occurring during transmission, significantly improving energy efficiency. Such lossless grids would make renewable energy, like wind and solar, far more effective by ensuring energy from remote sources reaches urban centers without waste. Superconductors also promise advances in energy storage, enabling more efficient systems to stabilize grids powered by intermittent renewable sources. In transportation, they could revolutionize maglev trains and improve electric vehicle performance by enhancing power delivery and minimizing losses.

While the potential is immense, these discoveries also highlight the urgency of addressing climate change. Rising global temperatures are driving extreme weather events, and innovations like superconductivity are essential tools in mitigating the damage. Policymakers must prioritize funding and infrastructure development to integrate these technologies into real-world applications quickly.

Superconductivity’s promise isn’t just theoretical—it could be a cornerstone of a sustainable future. But realizing this potential requires global collaboration, commitment, and immediate action. These breakthroughs offer hope, but their true value lies in how we harness them to fight the climate crisis and build a cleaner, more efficient world.

Sources

https://www.wired.com/story/new-superconductive-materials-have-just-been-discovered/