Remembering Alex Müller for reshaping superconductors

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Awareness in IT and computers

Concept :

Karl Alexander (Alex) Müller (1927–2023) was a Swiss physicist and Nobel Prize laureate.
He was widely regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of superconductivity, and his discovery of high-temperature superconductors has had a profound impact on the field of solid-state physics and beyond.

Defining Superconductors

A superconductor is a material that attains superconductivity, a state of matter with no electrical resistance. In a superconductor, an electric current can persist indefinitely.
Superconductors are different from ordinary conductors, such as copper.
Unlike regular conductors whose resistance gradually reduces, the superconductor’s resistance drops to zero below a fixed temperature, which is the critical temperature.
At this temperature, a superconductor can conduct electricity with no resistance, which means no heat, sound, or other forms of energy would be discharged from the material when it reaches the “critical temperature” (Tc).
To become superconductive, most materials must be in an incredibly low energy state (very cold). Presently, excessive energy must be used in the cooling process, making superconductors uneconomical and inefficient.
Some of the popular examples of superconductors are aluminium, magnesium diboride, niobium, copper oxide, yttrium barium and iron pnictides.

Superconductor Types

Superconductors come in two distinct types: type I and type II.
Type I Superconductors :
A type I superconductor consists of fundamental conductive elements that are used in everything from electrical wiring to computer microchips.
Type II Superconductors :
A type II superconductor comprises metallic compounds such as lead or copper. They achieve a superconductive state at much higher temperatures compared to type I superconductors. Type II superconductors can be penetrated by a magnetic field, whereas type I cannot.

Superconductivity-Indian Scenario

India has a long history of research in superconductivity, with notable contributions from institutions such as the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.
The National Superconductivity Mission (NSM) is an initiative launched by the Government of India in 2017 to promote research and development in the field of superconductivity.
The mission aims to develop indigenous technology for superconductors and their applications in various industries, including healthcare, energy, and transportation.