Europium's Superconductivity Demonstrated

gabrlknght writes "An old element just learned a new trick under pressure. When cooled and squeezed very hard, the soft metallic element europium turns into a superconductor, allowing electrons to flow unfettered by resistance, a study appearing May 13 in Physical Review Letters shows. The results make europium the 53rd of the 92 naturally occurring elements to possess superconductivity, which, if harnessed, could make for more efficient energy transfer."

Comments

Re:It isn't better

[phantomfive]

One of the scientists in the article had a quote that I think is worth reproducing:

"Superconductivity is an area where it's very difficult theoretically to have the last word, to really know what's possible and what's not.... Anything one can do to further the understanding of superconductivity might eventually help one design a better superconductor."

In essence we don't know what superconductors can do, but if we try different stuff eventually we will find something useful. That's why it's worth doing.