New Scientist Tech - Breaking News - Nanodots may unlock power of superconducting wires: "The next generation of superconducting wires, which could operate efficiently at the high temperatures needed to make applications such as levitating trains feasible, has been created by researchers.

For 20 years, researchers have worked to develop the perfect high-temperature superconducting wires to replace today's copper-based power grid. But the secret, it now seems, is to build flawed ones. The key may be to position non-conducting nanodots at strategic points within the wire."