Recent developments in superconductors have provoked excitement among the members of the scientific community. Superconductors work on a fairly simple principle. When certain metals are cooled down to a low enough temperature, they show no resistance to the flow of electricity. Because there is no resistance, superconductors are more powerful and more efficient than normal electrical conductors. There are a number of possible applications for the use of superconductors. For example, they can be used to create power for generators, computers, satellites, medical equipment, surveillance devices, and many other things that use electrical energy (2:2). Superconductors can also be used to levitate large magnets. In this way, they can be used for the purpose of powering levitated trains. Superconductors are able to lift magnets because they create powerful magnetic fields themselves. This phenomenon is known as the Meissner Effect, named for the German physicist Walther Meissner who conducted research on superconductors in the 1930's. According to the Meissner Effect, "a permanent magnet will float, as if by magic, above a chunk of superconducting material that has been chilled to its critical temperature" (1:24). Unfortunately, all of these wonderful applications are unobtainable at this time because the technology of superconductors has not yet been perfected. Nevertheless, scientists are hopeful for the future because recent developments in the area have increased the practicality of superconducting materials. In the past, one of the biggest problems with the use of superconductors was the fact that they required incredibly low temperatures in order for them to work. In the late 1980's, however, researchers began finding ways to make them work at higher temperatures. This new development is making superconductors less expensive and more practical than ever before. It is for this reason that the scientific community is exci...