Your uncle is very proud of you, a Physics student.He has read that some metals become superconductor at very low temperature, and he learned that the discovery of a room temperature superconductor would give rise to a technological revolution. Naturally, he asks you to explain exactly what is superconductivity. Your short answer is that a superconductor allows electricity to flow without resistance. In other words, an electrical current flowing through a closed loop of superconducting wire will continue to flow forever without any need to pay a power bill. You also explain that current loops are quite useful for technologies such as magnets and motors. And of course, the capacity to transport electricity from hydro-electric dams in the far North to southern cities without any energy loss is in principle a good idea. Already, you convinced your uncle of the usefulness and huge economic potential of superconductors. Putting the nail in the coffin, you could also explain to him that superconductors can be used to construct quantum computers. That's a challenge! You would probably refer him to the article written by Alexandre Blais elsewhere in this issue.
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