Superconductors find a practical use

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    Note published 01.10.10

The discovery of high-temperature superconductors in 1986 led to a Nobel Prize and to predictions of a revolution in energy transmission, but not until now has an application actually come to anything. The barrier has been broken by SINTEF Energy Research scientists Magne Runde and Niklas Magnussen.

The two were recently awarded a German-Norwegian industry prize for their use of superconductors – materials that carry current without resistance – in industrial processes that are already saving money in the copper and aluminium industries.

The German Zenergy Power GmbH group has taken up a patent held by the two Norwegian researchers to build extremely energy-efficient induction ovens for production processes uses in the metallurgical industry.