News Physics

Magnetism piece fits no-resistance puzzle

By Peter Weiss

- More than 2 years ago

Physicists hotly debate why certain copper oxide crystals can conduct electricity without resistance, or superconduct, at temperatures far higher than conventional superconductors can.

CRAZY QUILT CRYSTAL. Hand-glued to aluminum plates, tiny crystals of the superconductor thallium barium copper oxide act collectively like a larger crystal the size of the array.