Scientists just made a superconductor stronger using “empty space”

What happened

Researchers have demonstrated that quantum fluctuations in supposedly empty space can strengthen superconductivity, raising the transition temperature of an ultrathin material by as much as 5.4%. Science News from research organizations Scientists just made a superconductor stronger using “empty space” Date: October 3, 2026 Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters Summary: Researchers have demonstrated that quantum fluctuations in supposedly empty space can strengthen superconductivity, raising the transition temperature of an ultrathin material by as much as 5.4%.

Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that quantum fluctuations in a vacuum can strengthen superconductivity, opening a new path for controlling unusual states of matter. The discovery opens the possibility of using specially engineered vacuum environments to control quantum materials without direct contact or external driving.

The study, published in Nature , was led by Profs. Frank Wilczek of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other researchers. Empty Space Is Not Truly Empty In everyday language, a vacuum may sound like completely empty space.