HTS wire, a ceramic compound made of certain metal oxides that exhibit zero electrical resistance at the temperature of liquid nitrogen (-195 C, -320 F) have now been perfected, and commercial production has begun. Traditional superconductors function only at the temperature of liquid helium (-276 C, -450 F), an expensive gas requiring cumbersome equipment. The higher temperature of liquid nitrogen easily can be maintained by efficient mechanical refrigerators; hence the name, high-temperature superconductors (HTS). HTS wire carries 140 times the electrical current of copper wire and relies on silver for its flexibility, conductivity, and strength.
by Jeff Child
by Jake Hertz
by Aaron Carman