Superconductivity pioneer Dr. Paul Chu expected faster progress since his discoveries, he told Cold Facts Editor Theresa Boehl in a recent brief interview.
Cold Facts: Did you have any idea of the potential impact of superconductivity when you were doing your groundbreaking research years ago?
Chu: Yes, I think I did. I did realize the potential could be very great. But unfortunately, its direct impact, in my view, remains in the potential stage. I would expect it should be better.
Cold Facts: Are you surprised at how far superconductivity has come over the years, or would you have expected more progress by now?
Chu: I would have expected more, even though what has progressed is phenomenal. I feel it’s really gone a long way, but originally I was hoping that the application part would have become reality now. Right now, in my view, the main thing is that the cost is too high at this moment. But there are people working on it to see where we can reduce the cost.
Cold Facts: What hopes do you have for superconductivity in the future?
Chu: I would like to see the Tc [have the ability to] go higher. I think if the Tc really goes above room temperature, then it should be everywhere. And I would also like to see the Jc [be able to] go higher. In other words, I would like to see new material discovered with higher Tc and higher Jc. One of the methods of getting higher Jc perhaps is to make the material more three-dimensional. (Jc is the critical current, the current carrying capacity.) Right now, the critical current carrying capacity is pretty high. But unfortunately, you have to spend a lot of time processing them, so that increases the cost. If we can reduce the so-called anisotropy or make it more three-dimensional, with high Tc, then I think to achieve high Jc would be much simpler.
Cold Facts: What advice would you give to young scientists who want to follow in your footsteps?
Chu: Well, I always tell anyone working in science they should have a dream. And I always thought life without a dream would be very dull. They have to have a dream, and then they have to have the determination and perseverance to work hard. Above all, they should be optimistic.
