But the electric grid is only one (albeit big) example of wasted energy—anything that requires electricity to function similarly wastes energy in this way. And according to physics, that’s just the way it has to be. Or is it?
Turns out, a very peculiar thing happens when metals, alloys, and other materials get cold, like approaching absolute zero cold: electrical resistance disappears. Science defines these as superconductors, a large family of diverse materials that underpin some of the most advanced technologies in the world.