high-temperature superconductors

High-temperature superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without resistance at temperatures higher than traditional superconductors, though still very cold. Normally, superconductivity occurs near extremely low temperatures, requiring costly cooling with liquids like liquid helium. High-temperature superconductors, often copper-based compounds called cuprates, function at higher temperatures (sometimes around -135°C), making them more practical for applications like power grids, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and maglev trains. Their ability to carry electricity perfectly with no energy loss could revolutionize energy transmission and advanced technologies, but scientists still work to understand their complex behavior and to develop even more effective materials.