Superconductivity Group

About the group

As a special interest, member-driven group, our members are interested in a wide range of disciplines related to superconducting materials, namely those materials that conduct electricity with no resistance at accessible temperatures. Our interests range from the theoretical underpinnings behind superconductivity to applications such as magnetic resonance imaging.

What the group does

The group was founded in 1997 to provide a forum to support and bring together all those interested in superconductivity, from fundamental research into the mechanisms, to superconducting quantum devices, to the development of superconducting cables for uses such as magnetic-field generation or power transmission.

We are active in supporting the organisation of scientific meetings on different scales, ranging from half-day through to week-long. The spread of meetings aims to cover the diversity of interests that fall within our remit, covering student-focused meetings as well as supporting national conferences.

We award three prizes, the Pippard prize, an annual Early Career Prize, and an annual Thesis prize.

We support the attendance of UK-based students and postdocs at superconductivity conferences through the IOP Early Career Fund.

Joining an IOP special interest group

For non-IOP members: Become a member now

For IOP members: Find out how to join a group

Group physics prize

Brian Pippard Prize

The prize is for a scientist working in the UK who has made a significant contribution to superconductivity in recent years. The Superconductivity Group Prize was renamed in honour of Brian Pippard, with the kind permission of Professor Pippard’s family. Winners are chosen by a panel appointed by the group committee.

Make a 2025 nomination now and find out more.

Early Career Prize

This relatively new prize is awarded for a single outstanding piece of work, or a coherent body of work, published in a peer-reviewed journal or journals in the field of superconductivity. The work must be carried out by an early career scientist based in the UK.

Make a 2025 nomination now and find out more.

Superconductivity Thesis Prize

This prize is awarded annually to the author of the PhD thesis making the strongest contribution, in the opinion of the prize committee, to the understanding and development of superconductivity, across the entire breadth of the group’s interests in this area.

Make a 2025 nomination now and find out more.

Group events

Find events for the Superconductivity Group

Publications

Superconductor Science and Technology

This monthly international multidisciplinary journal published by IOP Publishing is for papers on all aspects of superconductivity. It covers:

• the theory of novel devices
• theories of superconductivity
• the basic physics of superconductors
• the fabrication and properties of thin films and devices
• the relation of microstructure and growth to superconducting properties

Find out more

Superconductors come in from the cold 

This paper discusses:

• rapid single flux quantum
• the history of superconductors
• a new era for condensed matter physicists
• the discovery of a new class of ceramic superconductor

Download (PDF, 166KB)

Committee and contacts

• Email: [email protected]