Superconductivity coup

It's no Superconducting Super Collider, but the National ScienceFoundation's new center for research into superconducting materials,to be located in Illinois, could have an impact on the region ofimmense consequence.

In the wake of Illinois' loss of the proposed $4.4 billion SSCatom smasher to Texas, the state's leaders wisely have been lookingfor something that could tap into the momentum that resulted from theunprecedented cooperative efforts by the public and private sectorsto lure the atom smasher here. The science foundation's decision tospend $4.25 million to establish the new materials center here couldbe just the thing.

The center would put Illinois smack in the middle of aninternational race to find practical materials that will conductelectricity at virtually no resistance. The possible practicalapplications of superconducting technology are boggling, having thepotential to revolutionize generators, motors, magnets, transmissionlines, energy storage systems, computers and other electrical andelectronic devices. The region - and country - that figures out away to commercialize the mysterious phenomenon of superconductivitywill reap huge rewards.

But the science foundation's decision to locate the NationalScience and Technology Center for Superconductivity Research here isno sop to local feelings wounded by the loss of the SSC. Thedecision was made on the basis of the superiority of the fourinstitutions that comprise the Illinois Consortium forSuperconductivity Research - the University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, the University of Chicagoand Argonne National Laboratory.

Separately, the four already are leaders in the field. Now, thesynergy created by this new, joint effort will create anChicago-Urbana-Champaign corridor that will be identified worldwidewith the top contenders in this international race.