Superconductivity

Superconductivity is a phenomenon occurring in certain materials at low temperatures, characterised by the complete absence of electrical resistance and the damping of the interior magnetic field (the Meissner effect.) Superconductivity is a quantum-mechanical phenomenon that is different from perfect conductivity.

Superconductors in science fiction

Superconductivity has long been a staple of science fiction. One of the first mentions of the phenomenon occurred in Robert Heinlein's novel Beyond This Horizon (1942). Notably, the use of a fictional room temperature superconductor was a major plot point in the Ringworld novels by Larry Niven, first published in 1970.

Related Topics:
Science fiction - Robert Heinlein - Beyond This Horizon - 1942 - Room temperature superconductor - Ringworld - Larry Niven - 1970

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Superconductivity is a popular device in science fiction due to the simplicity of the underlying concept - zero electrical resistance - and the rich technological possibilities. For example, superconducting magnets could be used to generate the powerful magnetic fields used by Bussard ramjets, a type of spacecraft commonly encountered in science fiction. The most troublesome property of real superconductors, the need for cryogenic cooling, is often circumvented by postulating the existence of room temperature superconductors. Many stories attribute additional properties to their fictional superconductors, ranging from infinite heat conductivity in Niven's novels (real superconductors conduct heat poorly, though superfluid helium has immense but finite heat conductivity) to providing power to an interstellar travel device in the Stargate movie and TV series.

Related Topics:
Magnetic field - Bussard ramjet - Helium - Stargate - Movie - TV series

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In the movie ', the CPU of the T800 destroyed in Terminator 1 is found to be superconductive at room temperature.

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