superconductivity

American  

[soo-per-kon-duhk-tiv-i-tee] / ˌsu pərˌkɒn dəkˈtɪv ɪ ti /

noun

Physics.

1. the phenomenon of almost perfect conductivity shown by certain substances at temperatures approaching absolute zero. The recent discovery of materials that are superconductive at temperatures hundreds of degrees above absolute zero raises the possibility of revolutionary developments in the production and transmission of electrical energy.

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superconductivity British  

/ ˌsuːpəˌkɒndʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. physics the property of certain substances that have no electrical resistance. In metals it occurs at very low temperatures, but higher temperature superconductivity occurs in some ceramic materials

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superconductivity Scientific  

/ so̅o̅′pər-kŏn′dŭk-tĭv′ĭ-tē /

1. The ability of certain metals or alloys to conduct an electric current with almost no resistance. Superconductivity usually occurs close to absolute zero, at temperatures approaching −459.67°F (−273.15°C), but has also been observed at temperatures as high as −200°F (−128.88°C).

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superconductivity ¹ Cultural  

1. A property of materials by which their electrical resistance goes to zero, and they acquire the ability to carry electric current (see also current) with no losses whatsoever.

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superconductivity ² Cultural  

1. A property of some materials in which their electrical resistance drops to zero, and they acquire the ability to carry electric current (see also current) with no loss of energy whatsoever. Formerly, materials developed superconductivity only at temperatures near absolute zero, but new materials have been found that remain superconductive at temperatures above those of liquid nitrogen. The goal of current research is to find a material that remains superconductive at room temperature.

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Discover More

Formerly, materials showed superconductivity only near absolute zero, but new materials have been found that are superconducting at much higher temperatures.

Other Word Forms

• superconduction
  noun
• superconductor
  noun
• superconducting
  adjective
• superconductive
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of superconductivity

First recorded in 1915–20; super- + conductivity

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

superconductivity

Professor Mark Senn, who led the study at the University of Warwick's Department of Chemistry, explained why the findings could have major implications for superconductivity research.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2026

For four decades, scientists have generally built their theories of cuprate superconductivity around the assumption that these materials have the same crystal structure throughout their interiors.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2026

"Pair density waves are the Cheshire Cat's grin of superconductivity," said Eduardo Fradkin, an Illinois Grainger Engineering physics professor and a project co-lead.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

"We even showed that the modes persist above the temperature at which superconductivity disappears, a telltale theoretical prediction that has not been convincingly observed before now."

From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026

Recent experiments in superconductivity, using ceramic instead metal conductors have given us an exciting glimpse into what might be achieved for improving efficiency in the distribution of electric power.

From The Dawn of Amateur Radio in the U.K. and Greece: a personal view by Norman F. Joly

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