Superconductivity Is Very Cool

By Minnesotastan in Science & Tech on Oct 26, 2011 at 11:10 am

(YouTube link)

On the 100th anniversary of the discovery of superconductivity, researchers at Tel Aviv University demonstrate how a superconductor will float in a locked position above a magnetized track.

The puck of superconducting material is able to stay locked in the air above the magnets because one of the properties of superconductivity is that that it is impervious to magnetic fields. The puck repels the magnetic field with greater force than the pull of gravity so it hangs in mid air…

Via Physics Buzz.

Addendum:  The technology has now been applied to a skateboard.


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  1. Jeff the Baptist
    Oct 26th, 2011 at 11:47 am

    It’s the meissner effect. It’s caused by induced fields on the surface of the superconductor cancelling out the applied field.

  3. Mouserz
    Oct 26th, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    Now if only there were a planet made out of either pure nitrogen or pure neodymium magnets.


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