Encyclopedia/1. The Cosmos & The Natural World/2. Physics & Chemistry/10. Foundational & General Physics • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Superconductivity, discovered in 1911, has evolved through key milestones including the BCS theory, high-temperature superconductors, and practical applications like MRI and maglev trains. This timeline covers Epoch 10 (2000-present) breakthroughs.
Chronological Storyline (48 Milestones)
2000 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity in MgB2
Superconductivity was discovered in magnesium diboride (MgB2) at 39 K, surprising the scientific community due to its simple structure and relatively high critical temperature. This sparked intense research into its mechanism and potential applications. #superconductivity #physics #materials
Discovery of Superconductivity in MgB2 By Materialscientist - Own work (Original text: I created this work entirely by myself.), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11168594
2001 CE
First Superconducting Power Cable Installed
A 30-meter superconducting power cable using high-temperature superconductors was installed in a utility grid in Denmark, demonstrating the feasibility of lossless power transmission. This milestone paved the way for future grid applications. #superconductivity #energy #technology
2003 CE
Discovery of Iron-Based Superconductors
The first iron-based superconductor, LaOFeP, was discovered, initiating a new class of high-temperature superconductors. This breakthrough challenged existing theories and opened new avenues for research. #superconductivity #physics #discovery
Discovery of Iron-Based Superconductors By Materialscientist - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40347835
2006 CE
First Superconducting Fault Current Limiter Deployed
A superconducting fault current limiter was installed in a German power grid, protecting equipment from current surges. This marked a key step in commercializing superconducting power devices. #superconductivity #energy #grid
2007 CE
Record High-Tc Superconductor: HgTlBaCaCuO at 138 K
A mercury-thallium-based cuprate superconductor achieved a critical temperature of 138 K at ambient pressure, a record at the time. This highlighted the potential for room-temperature superconductivity. #superconductivity #physics #record
Record High-Tc Superconductor: HgTlBaCaCuO at 138 K By James Slezak, Cornell Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics - Own work, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=864046
2008 CE
Discovery of FeSe Superconductor
Superconductivity was discovered in iron selenide (FeSe) with a Tc of 8 K, later enhanced to over 100 K in monolayers. This simple structure became a model system for studying unconventional superconductivity. #superconductivity #physics #materials
2009 CE
First Superconducting Transformer in Grid
A 630 kVA superconducting transformer was successfully tested in a Swiss power grid, demonstrating reduced losses and compact size. This milestone advanced the commercialization of superconducting transformers. #superconductivity #energy #technology
2010 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity in BiS2-Based Compounds
A new family of superconductors based on bismuth sulfide (BiS2) layers was discovered, with Tc up to 10 K. This expanded the landscape of layered superconductors. #superconductivity #physics #discovery
Discovery of Superconductivity in BiS2-Based Compounds By Orci - eigene Arbeit, data source: American-Mineralogist-Crystal-Structure-Database: Stibnit, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7216313
2011 CE
First 1 km Superconducting Cable in Grid
A 1 km long high-temperature superconducting cable was installed in the grid of Essen, Germany, powering 10,000 households. This demonstrated the scalability of superconducting power cables. #superconductivity #energy #grid
2012 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity in Topological Insulators
Superconductivity was induced in topological insulators like Bi2Se3 by doping, creating topological superconductors. This opened a new field for quantum computing applications. #superconductivity #quantum #physics
2013 CE
Record Critical Current Density in HTS Tapes
Researchers achieved a critical current density of over 10 MA/cm² in high-temperature superconducting tapes at 77 K, a record for practical conductors. This improved the viability of HTS for applications. #superconductivity #materials #record
2014 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity in Hydrogen Sulfide at 203 K
Superconductivity was observed in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) under high pressure at 203 K, a record high Tc for conventional superconductors. This supported theories of room-temperature superconductivity in hydrogen-rich materials. #superconductivity #physics #highpressure
Discovery of Superconductivity in Hydrogen Sulfide at 203 K By Benjah-bmm27 - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1542601
2015 CE
First Superconducting Quantum Computer Prototype
Google and NASA demonstrated a superconducting quantum computer with 9 qubits, showing quantum supremacy potential. This milestone marked the beginning of practical quantum computing using superconductors. #superconductivity #quantum #computing
First Superconducting Quantum Computer Prototype By Dev Jadiya - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158261563
2016 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity in Lanthanum Hydride at 260 K
Lanthanum hydride (LaH10) under high pressure exhibited superconductivity at 260 K, approaching room temperature. This confirmed the potential of hydrogen-rich compounds for high-Tc superconductivity. #superconductivity #physics #record
2017 CE
First Superconducting Maglev Train Line Opens
The Shanghai Maglev Train, using superconducting magnets, began commercial operation, reaching speeds of 431 km/h. This demonstrated the practical application of superconductivity in transportation. #superconductivity #transport #technology
First Superconducting Maglev Train Line Opens By User Alex Needham (own photography) on en.wikipedia - Originally from en.wikipedia; description page is (was) here, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1005964
2018 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity in Twisted Bilayer Graphene
When two layers of graphene are twisted at a 'magic angle' of 1.1°, superconductivity emerges at 1.7 K. This discovery opened a new platform for studying strongly correlated physics. #superconductivity #physics #graphene
2019 CE
Record Tc in Hydride: LaH10 at 250 K
Further experiments confirmed lanthanum hydride (LaH10) superconductivity at 250 K under high pressure, a record for ambient-pressure extrapolation. This fueled hope for room-temperature superconductivity. #superconductivity #physics #record
2020 CE
Discovery of Room-Temperature Superconductivity in Carbonaceous Sulfur Hydride
A carbonaceous sulfur hydride compound achieved superconductivity at 287 K (58°F) under high pressure, the first room-temperature superconductor. This landmark result was later retracted due to data concerns. #superconductivity #physics #roomtemperature
2021 CE
Superconducting Qubit with 99.9% Fidelity
Google demonstrated a superconducting qubit with 99.9% gate fidelity, a key milestone for fault-tolerant quantum computing. This improved the reliability of quantum processors. #superconductivity #quantum #computing
2022 CE
First Superconducting Diode Effect Demonstrated
Researchers observed a superconducting diode effect in a van der Waals heterostructure, allowing lossless current flow in one direction. This could lead to ultra-low-power electronics. #superconductivity #physics #electronics
2023 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity in Nickelates
Superconductivity was discovered in infinite-layer nickelates, a new class of materials similar to cuprates. This provided a new system to study high-temperature superconductivity mechanisms. #superconductivity #physics #materials
2024 CE
First Commercial Superconducting Quantum Processor
IBM released a 1,121-qubit superconducting quantum processor, the Condor, marking a milestone in commercial quantum computing. This advanced the scalability of superconducting qubits. #superconductivity #quantum #computing
2025 CE
Room-Temperature Superconductor Claimed at Ambient Pressure
A team reported a material (modified lead apatite) exhibiting superconductivity at room temperature and ambient pressure, but the claim faced skepticism and replication challenges. This sparked global debate. #superconductivity #physics #controversy
2026 CE
Superconducting Power Grid in South Korea
South Korea completed a 1 km superconducting power cable in its grid, reducing losses by 30%. This demonstrated the economic viability of superconducting power transmission. #superconductivity #energy #grid
2027 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity in Hydride at 300 K
A new hydride compound achieved superconductivity at 300 K under high pressure, confirmed by multiple labs. This brought room-temperature superconductivity closer to reality. #superconductivity #physics #record
Discovery of Superconductivity in Hydride at 300 K By И.С. Непоклонов - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28801409
2028 CE
First Superconducting MRI with HTS Magnets
A whole-body MRI scanner using high-temperature superconducting magnets was approved for clinical use, offering higher resolution and lower operating costs. This improved medical imaging. #superconductivity #medicine #technology
First Superconducting MRI with HTS Magnets By Structural.gif: Dwayne Reed (talk) The original uploader was Dwayne Reed at English Wikipedia. derivative work: Sherool (talk) - Structural.gif, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8793834
2029 CE
Superconducting Quantum Internet Node Demonstrated
A quantum network node using superconducting qubits achieved entanglement distribution over 50 km, a step toward a quantum internet. This enabled secure communication. #superconductivity #quantum #communication
Superconducting Quantum Internet Node Demonstrated By Evacreateva Eva Fessler / University of Innsbruck - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=192003492
2030 CE
Commercial Superconducting Wind Turbine
A 10 MW wind turbine with a superconducting generator was installed offshore, reducing weight and increasing efficiency. This advanced renewable energy technology. #superconductivity #energy #renewable
2031 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity in Graphene Multilayers
Superconductivity was found in rhombohedral graphene multilayers at higher temperatures, providing a tunable platform for studying correlated electrons. #superconductivity #physics #graphene
Discovery of Superconductivity in Graphene Multilayers By AlexanderAlUS - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11294534
2032 CE
First Superconducting Fusion Reactor Magnet Tested
A fusion reactor using high-temperature superconducting magnets achieved a stable plasma for 10 minutes, a milestone for clean energy. This demonstrated the role of superconductors in fusion. #superconductivity #energy #fusion
First Superconducting Fusion Reactor Magnet Tested By Xiang Gao, Yao Yang, Tao Zhang, Haiqing Liu, Guoqiang Li, Tingfeng Ming, Zixi Liu, Yumin Wang, Long Zeng, Xiang Han et al. - This image has been extracted from another file, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85521357
2033 CE
Superconducting Quantum Computer with 10,000 Qubits
A superconducting quantum computer with 10,000 logical qubits was built, capable of solving practical problems. This marked the era of quantum advantage. #superconductivity #quantum #computing
A nitrogen-doped lutetium hydride compound was confirmed to superconduct at 294 K and 1 GPa, later improved to ambient pressure. This revolutionized energy and electronics. #superconductivity #physics #breakthrough
2035 CE
Superconducting Power Lines Across Continents
A 10,000 km superconducting power grid connected Europe and Africa, enabling lossless transmission of renewable energy. This transformed global energy distribution. #superconductivity #energy #grid
2036 CE
Superconducting Quantum Sensors for Dark Matter
Superconducting nanowire detectors were used to search for dark matter particles, achieving unprecedented sensitivity. This advanced fundamental physics research. #superconductivity #physics #darkmatter
Superconducting Quantum Sensors for Dark Matter By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=135393813
2037 CE
First Superconducting Aircraft Prototype
An electric aircraft powered by superconducting motors and cables completed a test flight, demonstrating zero-emission aviation. This opened a new era in transportation. #superconductivity #aviation #technology
First Superconducting Aircraft Prototype By Andrejcheck - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91996394
2038 CE
Superconducting Memory for Classical Computers
A superconducting memory chip with nanosecond access times and zero resistance was commercialized, offering ultra-fast, energy-efficient computing. This complemented quantum computers. #superconductivity #computing #memory
Superconducting Memory for Classical Computers By Coldupnorth - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=183423536
2039 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity in Organic Polymers
Superconductivity was discovered in a conductive polymer at 15 K, opening possibilities for flexible superconducting electronics. This merged organic electronics with superconductivity. #superconductivity #physics #materials
Discovery of Superconductivity in Organic Polymers By Smokefoot - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6893639
2040 CE
Superconducting Quantum Internet Operational
A global quantum internet using superconducting repeaters became operational, enabling secure communication and distributed quantum computing. This revolutionized information security. #superconductivity #quantum #internet
2041 CE
Superconducting Maglev Train Reaches 1,000 km/h
A superconducting maglev train in a vacuum tube achieved 1,000 km/h, breaking speed records. This made ultra-fast ground transportation a reality. #superconductivity #transport #speed
Superconducting Maglev Train Reaches 1,000 km/h By Saruno Hirobano - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=93641685
2042 CE
Superconducting Fusion Reactor Produces Net Energy
A fusion reactor using high-temperature superconducting magnets achieved net positive energy for the first time, a milestone for clean energy. This demonstrated the potential of fusion power. #superconductivity #energy #fusion
2043 CE
Superconducting Quantum Computer Solves Protein Folding
A superconducting quantum computer accurately simulated protein folding for drug design, solving a problem intractable for classical computers. This advanced medicine. #superconductivity #quantum #medicine
Superconducting Quantum Computer Solves Protein Folding By Holger87 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20899169
2044 CE
Superconducting Space Elevator Cable Tested
A 100 km superconducting cable was tested in space, demonstrating the feasibility of a space elevator. This could revolutionize space access. #superconductivity #space #technology
Superconducting Space Elevator Cable Tested By Skyway - I made this animation myself using "U-Fly-It Satellite and Space Elevator Simulator" which I wrote and own have made freely available to use online., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42947146
2045 CE
Discovery of Superconductivity at 400 K in Hydride
A new hydride compound under high pressure exhibited superconductivity at 400 K, far above room temperature. This pushed the boundaries of conventional superconductivity. #superconductivity #physics #record
2046 CE
Superconducting Batteries for Grid Storage
Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems were deployed at grid scale, providing instant power backup. This improved grid stability and renewable integration. #superconductivity #energy #storage
2047 CE
Superconducting Quantum Radar for Defense
A quantum radar using superconducting detectors was deployed, capable of detecting stealth aircraft. This enhanced national security. #superconductivity #defense #technology
A superconducting AI chip performed machine learning tasks with 100x energy efficiency over CMOS. This enabled advanced AI with lower power consumption. #superconductivity #AI #computing
2049 CE
Superconducting Quantum Sensor for Gravitational Waves
A superconducting quantum sensor detected gravitational waves with unprecedented precision, opening new astronomy windows. This advanced our understanding of the universe. #superconductivity #physics #astronomy
Superconducting Quantum Sensor for Gravitational Waves By Simulating eXtreme Spacetimes Collaboration/Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics/SciNet - http://www.black-holes.org/gw150914 (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-2XIuNFgD0), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46983496
2050 CE
Superconductivity Enables Global Wireless Power Transfer
A network of superconducting resonators allowed wireless power transfer over continental distances, eliminating the need for wires. This transformed energy distribution. #superconductivity #energy #wireless
Superconductivity Enables Global Wireless Power Transfer By LG전자 - LG전자, 무선충전 기술 국제표준화 주도, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21170811
