Superinsulator

A superinsulator is a material that at low temperatures under certain conditions has an infinite resistance and no current will pass through it. The superinsulating state is has many parallels to the superconducting state, and can be destroyed (in a sudden phase transition) by increased temperature, magnetic fields and voltage.

Titanium nitride of a specific thickness can become superinsulating.

Mechanism

Superconductivity relies on the pairing of electrons into Cooper pairs which can move without resistance. Superinsulation works by keeping these same electrons totally independent, thus stopping the current.

A phase diagram showing parallels with superconductivity is here > [ http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v452/n7187/fig_tab/nature06837_F4.html Nature ] .

Future applications

Superconductors and superinsulators can combined for use in transmission lines with no leakage Fact|date=September 2008 or even high performance batteries Fact|date=September 2008.

References

External links

* [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v452/n7187/abs/nature06837.html Superinsulator and quantum synchronization. Nature April 2008]
* [http://arxiv.org/abs/0804.3775 Comment on "Superinsulator and Quantum Synchronization"]
* [http://www.dailytech.com/Superinsulator+New+State+of+Matter+Observed/article11443.htm Superinsulator, New State of Matter Observed]
* [http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/37015/Newly_discovered_superinsulators_promise_to_transform_materials_research_electronics_design.html Newly discovered 'superinsulators' promise to transform materials research, electronics design]
* [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408160614.htm Newly Discovered Fundamental State Of Matter, A Superinsulator, Has Been Created]
* [http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/33643 Physicists discover the 'superinsulator'. Physicsworld ]