Superconductors: The Irresistible Future (Venture Books)

Rating:
Summary: Superconductors-Irresistible Future by Stwertka
Review: This book is an excellent reference on the history and likely
direction of suprconductors. The author begins by defining the superconductor in terms of the ability of metals to carry electricity without the loss of energy. Numerous applications
of superconductors are provided. For instance, they may be utilized to store power or run trains as in the Japanese meglev
levitational train. The book describes the evolution of the
Kelvin absolute temmperature scale to articulate Absolute Zero.
The author describes important critical temperatures of
superconductors; such as Hg at 4.1K, Pb at 7.2K and the theory
that an increase in magnetic field results in a decrease of
critical temperature. The Meissner effect is described; wherein,
there is an expulsion of magnetic fields from the interior of a
superconductor. A phase change causes material to become
a superconductor. The goal of labs for the longer term is to find
materials that superconduct above temperatures where nitrogen
or N liquifies. New products; such as SQUIDS are superconductors which may be utilized to detect brain signals. In addition,
computer technology is creating superfast switches called
Josephson junctures; wherein, a thin layer of insulating material
is sandwiched between layers of a superconducting material.