Superconductors 101

High temperature superconducting (HTS) materials are unlocking groundbreaking innovation in cables, magnets, and power electronics.

A leading U.S. manufacturer of HTS wire, MetOx delivers efficient, powerful solutions that are revolutionizing industries advancing innovation.

What are superconductors?

Superconductors—advanced conductors that carry electricity without any resistance when cooled to specific temperatures—are transforming how we think about energy and efficiency.

What’s cool about Superconductors?

High-temperature superconductors (HTS) are ultra-thin, tape-like materials that can carry tremendous amounts of electricity with no resistance, meaning no energy is lost as heat. They deliver very high current at low voltage when cooled to low temperatures.

Early breakthroughs in low-temperature superconductors (LTS) brought us innovations like MRI machines, but their reliance on expensive liquid helium cooling limited their reach.

Now, high-temperature superconductors, which work with more affordable liquid nitrogen and at higher temperatures, are more practical to use - expanding what’s possible.

Thanks to advancements from companies like MetOx, superconductors pave the way for the ultra-efficient, power-intensive devices and applications being built today.

Superconducting materials VS. Copper

Cooled with liquid nitrogen (LN2), superconductors exhibit the following properties:

  • 250x the current-carrying capacity of copper

  • No heat or energy loss = highly efficient

  • Uses 99% less copper

For power transmission this enables a faster, more resilient electrical grid with far fewer cables, (and related permitting), lower voltages, less equipment, and a dramatically smaller footprint (from both a land and materials standpoint).

With its ability to unlock extremely high magnetic fields, HTS is also revolutionizing magnet-based technologies that were previously not possible.

600 amps of traditional copper cable vs. the equivalent of 600 amps of High-Temperature Superconducing Wire, Photo: MetOx 2024

HTS tape being spun into a superconducting cable. Image Credit: Ridgway Machines Ltd, 2024

HTS tape being spun into a superconducting cable. Copyright 2024 Nexans, Photo Credit: Hellow_UX

Transforming the Value Chain

Why Now?

The market is ready

Superconductors are uniquely positioned to address the grid’s pressing challenges, offering efficiency and scalability when it’s needed most. In addition, recent advancements in manufacturing consistency and lower cost have driven HTS toward widespread adoption.

With proven applications, market-ready solutions, and cutting-edge technologies in the final stages of R&D, HTS is reshaping sectors ranging from energy and transportation to healthcare and computing.

Superconducting Fault Current Limiter, Nexans 2024

Long Island Power Authority HTS Cables - Image Credit: Nexans 2024

NKT sets up the test system for the SuperLink-project in Munich, which is set out to become the world’s longest superconducting power cable system. Photo Credit: NKT 2024

Projects are Deployed

HTS cables are gaining remarkable traction globally, with over 20 notable projects already demonstrating their transformative potential in the energy sector.

These initiatives showcase the ability of HTS to transmit transmission level power at distribution-level power, reducing equipment like transformers - and increasing efficiency, with no line losses.

Notable Superconducting Cable Projects:

  • Shingal Project, Korea / The Shingal superconducting cable system, a first in South Korea, boosts urban grid capacity while cutting energy losses and CO2 emissions—all without extensive infrastructure upgrades.

  • Ampacity Project, Essen, Germany / The world’s first commercially operated superconducting cable project, deployed in the densely populated city of Essen. It has set a benchmark for compact underground electricity transmission, proving superconducting cables can seamlessly replace traditional systems.

  • ComEd Project, Chicago, USA / ComEd’s superconducting cable project is part of an effort to build a resilient and robust grid, focusing on ensuring reliability during extreme weather and peak demand. It showcases the potential of HTS to fortify the grid against climate-related stresses while enhancing efficiency.

  • NKT SuperLink Project, Munich, Germany / The SuperLink initiative integrates superconducting cables into Munich’s urban grid; a critical step toward demonstrating the scalability and long-term reliability of HTS technology in metropolitan areas.

HTS Technology is 20-Years Proven

increasingly diverse commercial HTS projects are underway, including:

LS Cable & LS Electric Launching Superconducting Solutions for Data Centers

LS Cable / Superconducting Data Centers

LS Cable & System in partnership with LS Electric launch the world’s first superconducting solution for data centers and expand into domestic and international markets. This development is a significant step in bringing high power capacity to hyperscale data centers with HTS cables. Read the full article here.

Airbus Cryoprop for hydrogen-powered aircraft

Airbus / Cryoprop

Super ‘cool’ news from Airbus as they take superconductivity research for hydrogen-powered aircraft a step further with the development of a next-gen two megawatt superconducting electric-propulsion system. Lighter, more powerful, and super-clean: this is the future of aviation. Read the story here.

Nexans and SNCF partner on SFCL for Paris Rail

These industries are using lossless conductors — or high magnetic fields — to create revolutionary technologies:

Nexans+SNCF / SFCL for Rail

A renewed partnership between Nexans and SNCF Réseau is set to strengthen rail safety and reliability with a groundbreaking Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SFCL), designed to autonomously absorb short-circuit currents, minimizing power disruptions and enhancing the resilience of electrical systems.

Curious if your company can leverage superconductors for your business or product development? Let’s explore the possibilities together. Book a call with our team.