At a Glance
- Scientists at the National University of Singapore have developed a copper-free superconducting material using nickel oxide that operates at around 40 Kelvin and achieves zero electrical resistance under ambient pressure conditions.
- This breakthrough builds on the 1987 discovery of copper oxide superconductors but surpasses it by showing that copper is not essential for achieving high-temperature superconductivity.
- The new material, (Sm-Eu-Ca)NiO₂, demonstrates superconductivity above 30 Kelvin without the need for extreme cooling or pressure, marking a significant advance in practical superconductor development.
- By removing the reliance on copper, the discovery broadens the range of elements that could support superconductivity, offering new directions for materials science and condensed matter physics.
- The findings hold promise for future technologies, including energy-efficient electronics, advanced medical imaging, and improved energy storage systems, while deepening scientific understanding of how superconductors function.
A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has made a groundbreaking discovery in superconductivity by developing a copper-free superconducting material that works at approximately 40 Kelvin (K), or -233°C, under ambient pressure. This discovery builds on the 1987 Nobel Prize-winning research on copper oxide superconductors but goes beyond copper, offering a new avenue for high-temperature superconductivity.
Superconductivity is a phenomenon where a material can conduct electricity with zero resistance, meaning no energy is lost as heat. This property could revolutionize electronics, making devices more energy-efficient. However, most superconductors only work at extremely low temperatures, making them impractical for everyday use. The 1987 Nobel Prize-winning discovery of copper oxide superconductors, which work at temperatures above 30 K, sparked extensive research into materials that could exhibit superconductivity at higher temperatures.
The NUS team’s breakthrough material, made from nickel oxide, demonstrates that superconductivity can be achieved without copper. By synthesizing (Sm-Eu-Ca)NiO₂, a nickel-based oxide, the researchers confirmed that this material could reach superconducting temperatures above 30 K, similar to copper-based materials, without requiring additional pressure or cooling methods. This result shows that high-temperature superconductivity is not exclusive to copper, offering a broader range of elements in the search for new superconducting materials.
This discovery, whose results were published in Nature, opens up new possibilities for future research and applications. By continuing to explore the unique properties of these materials, the NUS team hopes to develop even higher-temperature superconductors. These materials could be crucial for creating more efficient electronics and energy systems with real-world applications, from medical imaging to energy storage. The findings also offer valuable insights into the fundamental science of superconductivity, potentially reshaping the future of modern technology.
References
- National University of Singapore. (2025, March 27). Physicists discover a copper-free high-temperature superconducting oxide. Phys.Org; National University of Singapore. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-physicists-copper-free-high-temperature.html
- Chow, S. L. E., Luo, Z., & Ariando, A. (2025). Bulk superconductivity near 40 K in hole-doped SmNiO2 at ambient pressure. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08893-4
