What Is Quantum Locking And Are There Possible Uses?

Answer

Boaz Almog recently gave an excellent presentation about this at a TED conference. He can explain it better than I can, so I’m going to refer you to him: the following video provides an excellent, accessible explanation of quantum locking, as well as a demonstration of one of its possible future applications: transport of heavy objects by means of quantum levitation . In English with Dutch subtitles: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/nl/boaz_almog_levitates_a_superconductor.html

The development of practical applications is very closely related to the development of superconductors. Much progress has been made in this regard in recent years: where 30 years ago superconductivity was only known at temperatures below 30 degrees Kelvin, materials are now known that are already superconducting at more than 130ºK (-140ºC). This makes it possible to develop practical applications where liquid nitrogen is available, but it will probably take some time before real everyday use is possible.

One of the great challenges in physics today is the search for materials that are superconducting at normal ambient temperatures.