Room-temperature superconductors could revolutionise electronics
. Superconducting electromagnets generate 8.3 tesla magnetic fields – more than 100 000 times Earth’s magnetic field. The electromagnets use a current of 11 080 amperes to produce the field, and a superconducting coil allows the high currents to flow without losing any energy. TheSuperconducting circuits are also a promising technology for quantum computing because they can be.
Room-temperature superconductors would enable ultra-high-speed digital interconnects for next-generation computers and low-latency broadband wireless communications. They would also enable high-resolution imaging techniques and emerging sensors for biomedical and security applications, materials and structure analyses, and deep-space radio astrophysics.
Room-temperature superconductors would mean MRIs could become much less expensive to operate because they would not require liquid helium coolant, which is expensive and in short supply. Electrical power grids would be at least 20% more power efficient than today’s grids, resulting in billions of dollars saved per year. Maglev trains could operate over longer distances at lower costs. Computers would run faster with orders of magnitude lower power consumption.
Whether and how soon this promising future of electronics can be realised depends in part on whether the new room-temperature superconductor material can be verified – and whether it can be economically mass produced. The author, Massoud Pedram, is professor of electrical and computer engineering, University of Southern California
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
TCS+ | Why a 'shift left' approach to software development matters - TechCentralPromoted | In this episode of TCS+, 9th BIT Consulting's Barry de Waal and CYBER1 Solutions' Hilbert Long unpack a key trend in software development: “shift left”.
Read more »
FNB launches solar funding solutions - TechCentralFNB has introduced a range of new credit options to allow its clients to install solar energy solutions.
Read more »
Capitec Pay: revolutionising the way South Africans pay - TechCentralPromoted | Capitec is changing the way people pay to make payments simpler, more secure and accessible for all.
Read more »
Doing better business with Google Cloud - TechCentralPromoted | Google Cloud is allowing partners and customers across Africa to optimise and grow their businesses, achieving significant savings and the ability to innovate faster.
Read more »
Starlink rival OneWeb to launch global Internet coverage this year - TechCentralOneWeb has launched the final 36 satellites of its initial 616-satellite “constellation”, allowing the rival of Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer global broadband coverage this year.
Read more »
Parts of Twitter source code leaked online - TechCentralSome parts of Twitter's source code have been leaked and the social media platform is seeking information on the person responsible.
Read more »