ScienceAugust 20, 2026
superconductivity
soo-per-kon-duk-TIV-ih-tee
Definition
A phenomenon in certain materials where electrical resistance vanishes and magnetic fields are expelled, allowing current to flow without friction.
Etymology
The word is a combination of the Latin prefix 'super-' (above/beyond) and 'conductivity,' derived from the Latin 'conductivus' (serving to lead), referring to the ability of a material to lead or transmit electricity with zero resistance.
In the news
The article uses superconductivity as a prime example of complex, collective electron behavior, noting that the study of simpler quantum phases like charge density waves may provide insights into how superconductivity functions.
MIT physicists discover electrons rebuilding like ice inside a quantum material
Read the full article ↗Science Daily