Tech

Brazilian scientists add to research on superconductors

Computer simulations have allowed Brazilian researchers to reach new findings on superconductivity, an area of growing research globally

Brazilian scientists add to research on superconductors
Image: Shutterstock

A century ago, scientists discovered the existence of superconductivity — a property of certain materials, which at extremely low temperatures exhibit no resistance or loss when conducting energy.

The most commonly-used materials for conductors in electric and electronic appliances today have some resistivity, meaning there is always a degree of loss in the transmission of energy. This could change with the use of superconductors. 

Developing superconductors could lead to new applications for next-generation electronic devices, including supercomputers, new ways to power magnetic levitation trains, and even allow us to do away with batteries.

Given their potential, there is now a global research race into superconductors — and Brazilians are contributing to it.

A research project based at the University of Campinas (Unicamp) and supported by the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP) and the FAPESP-sponsored Center for Development of Functional Materials (CDMF) is searching for new ways to reach, modify, or...

Don't miss this opportunity!

Interested in staying updated on Brazil and Latin America? Subscribe to start receiving our reports now!