Comment by STEVIE NICHOLL on October 17, 2011 at 4:52pm

wow!

Comment by Steve on October 17, 2011 at 5:12pm

It's called Meisner effect:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meissner_effect

 

Basically, the magnetic field is bent around a superconductor (instead of going through it as in normal metals). So a superconducting magnet can be levitated or suspended on a track of permanent magnets, since it follows the expelled field lines. Also works the other way around, with a permanent magnet on a superconductive surface

Comment by matt.clerke on October 17, 2011 at 7:21pm

Cool demo, in uni we used a supercooled metal ring and electromagnet to make a gun which fired the ring across the lecture theatre.

Comment by Richard C. on October 17, 2011 at 8:46pm

now that's the stuff we should be doing instead of fighting with another country. Great FIND ! this guy should be getting millions. I think this is the first example of quantum locking i have ever seen...

Comment by Ed on October 18, 2011 at 9:35pm

Science rocks!!!!  as usual.....

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