Superconductors for Better Energy

Joe Eck “If we could achieve ROOM temperature superconductivity, there would be no cooling required whatsoever.” photo by S Schlender Room Temperature Superconductors (starts 1:00)  Backyard tinkerer, Joe Eck, maintains a popular website that explains the limitations of “Low Temperature” supeconductors that must be cooled by liquid helium to almost absolute zero.  He describes the benefits that would come from “Room Temperature” superconductors, which he searches for with equipment that includes a table top kiln.  Researchers at Rochester University have claimed success in creating a room temperature superconductor in their high-tech labs.  Many scientists warn their method isn’t practical, IF it works at all. Danko Van der Laan with Liquid Nitrogen Tank photo by S Schlender “High Temperature” Superconductor Cables (starts 9:35)  Danko Van der Laan, head of Boulder’s Advanced Conductor Technologies, gives a tour of his high-tech lab, where researchers test cables that superconduct when cooled to the “High Temperature” of liquid nitrogen.