Solving a 30-year-old puzzle about a mysterious superconducting material
Phys.org
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A material made from yttrium, barium and copper oxide (better known as YBCO) has intrigued scientists since its discovery in 1987, largely because it retains its superconductive properties at a higher-than-normal temperature.
However, it is extremely brittle, which makes it tricky to put to practical use.