Superconductivity – Bob Buckley interview
In this activity, students listen to a podcast of IRL superconductivity scientist Bob Buckley talking about this work and then answer a series of graded questions related to the content.
Superconductors and high-temperature superconductors
In this video, Dr Nick Strickland, a research scientist at IRL, describes the shift that has occurred in the superconductor field from using metal and alloy superconductors that need to be cooled to 4 K to new ceramic superconductors that operate at higher temperatures. By developing ceramic materials that show superconductive properties at temperatures above 77 K (the boiling point of nitrogen), Nick explains some of the economic benefits. This class of superconductor is called ‘high-temperature’, which is a relative term only.
Point of interest
How is liquid nitrogen made?
Acknowledgements:
Artem Topchiy
Bionerd
By the end of this activity students should be able to:
define the term superconductivity
give at least 5 applications for superconductive wires/cables
list 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages superconductive wires have over conventional copper wire
briefly explain how superconductive cables are fabricated
describe why the term ‘high temperature’ is used in a relative way.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
instructions on what you need and what to do
student worksheet.
