Superconductivity—that magical state where electrical resistance vanishes—has teased scientists for over a century. But the real prize? Room-temperature superconductors (RTS). The idea of transmitting electricity across continents without losses sounds like science fiction, yet it’s a tantalizing possibility if we can crack the quantum coherence puzzle.
Quantum coherence refers to the ability of superconducting electron pairs (Cooper pairs) to maintain their quantum state over time and distance. In conventional superconductors, coherence is fragile, easily disrupted by thermal noise. High-temperature superconductors (HTS) challenge this fragility, but even they struggle to maintain coherence at ambient conditions.
In superconductors, electrons form Cooper pairs via lattice vibrations (phonons). These pairs move without resistance—but only if they remain phase-coherent. The question is: How far and for how long can these pairs stay coherent at room temperature?
Recent studies on hydrogen-rich materials (e.g., LaH10) have demonstrated superconductivity at near-ambient temperatures—but under immense pressure. Theoretical work suggests that coherence lengths in these materials could extend to micrometers if stabilized.
The holy grail isn’t just achieving RTS—it’s maintaining coherence over kilometers for power transmission. Proposals include:
If achieved, RTS with long coherence could:
Even if lab-scale RTS works, scaling to grid infrastructure requires:
The path to RTS-based energy transmission is strewn with quantum mechanical landmines. But if coherence can be harnessed at scale, we might just rewrite the rules of electricity—without the losses, without the waste, and perhaps, without the need for incremental upgrades to our aging grids.