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Episode details

Radio 4,30 mins

Superconductors

Frontiers

Available for over a year

Peter Evans recalls the discovery 20 years ago of materials that conduct electricity without loss at relatively high temperatures. A Nobel prize went to the scientists responsible and huge technological advances were promised, such as high-speed levitating trains and super-efficient power generators. But after the excitement has died down, are these high-temperature superconductors living up to expectations?

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