Stephen Lin Er Chow's Landmark Copper-Free Superconductor Discovery
The world of materials science has been electrified by the work of Stephen Lin Er Chow, a 27-year-old physicist formerly at the National University of Singapore (NUS). In a paper published in Nature on March 20, 2025, Chow and his team unveiled a copper-free superconducting oxide that achieves high-temperature superconductivity at approximately 40 Kelvin under ambient pressure. This material, composed of hole-doped late rare-earth infinite-layer nickel oxide ((Sm-Eu-Ca-Sr)NiO₂), marks the first such breakthrough since the 1987 Nobel Prize-winning discovery of copper oxide superconductors by Bednorz and Müller.
Superconductivity refers to the phenomenon where certain materials conduct electricity with zero resistance and expel magnetic fields (the Meissner effect) below a critical temperature (Tc). High-temperature superconductors (HTS) operate above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (77 K), making them more practical than traditional low-temperature ones requiring liquid helium. Copper oxides, or cuprates, dominated HTS research for decades, but their complexity limited applications. Chow's nickelate oxide changes that, demonstrating Tc above 35 K at atmospheric pressure without lattice compression, confirmed via zero resistance and Meissner effect measurements.
From NUS Prodigy to Global Recognition
Chow's journey began at NUS, where he earned his PhD and became the youngest recipient of the Best Graduate Researcher Award in 2022 at age 26. Post-graduation, he joined as a research fellow in Prof. Ariando's Quantum Materials by Design lab. Collaborating with Zhaoyang Luo, they used a phenomenological model to predict and synthesize the material, achieving high crystallinity verified by electron microscopy. Prof. Ariando noted, "This is the first time since the Nobel-winning discovery that a copper-free high-temperature superconducting oxide has been found to function under ambient pressure." Chow added, "This finding suggests that unconventional high-temperature superconductivity is not exclusive to copper but could be a more widespread property among elements in the periodic table."
The NUS lab's first top-tier Nature publication in 20 years underscores Chow's impact. His work expands HTS beyond cuprates and iron-based systems, hinting at nickelates as a third class.
Relocation to Zhejiang University: A Strategic Move
In a move announced today, Chow has relocated full-time to Zhejiang University (ZJU) in Hangzhou, joining via the prestigious "100 Young Professors" program as a principal investigator and doctoral supervisor. ZJU, one of China's C9 League elite universities, boasts a top physics department with strong materials science focus. Chow cited Hangzhou's appealing environment, including West Lake scenery, and personal ties—his grandfather was Chinese and his wife is Chinese—as factors.
This relocation highlights China's aggressive talent attraction in cutting-edge fields. ZJU's program recruits global young stars, bolstering its superconductivity research amid national priorities like the "14th Five-Year Plan" for quantum materials.
Zhejiang University's Superconductivity Ecosystem
ZJU has ramped up HTS research, with labs exploring nickelates and applications in power cables and magnets. Chow's SUPERLab will focus on scaling his thin-film discovery to bulk crystals, potentially raising Tc. ZJU collaborates with CAS Institute of Physics on HTS tapes for fusion reactors like CFETR. Recent ZJU advances include AI-accelerated hydride superconductor design.
China's university network—Tsinghua, Peking U, USTC—leads globally, with IOP CAS releasing a 2026 HTS roadmap targeting practical wires by 2030.
Photo by Swapnil Bapat on Unsplash
China's HTS Research Momentum
China dominates HTS: 2025 nickel-based ambient-pressure superconductor (Tc ~80K McMillan limit exceed), 35.6T all-superconducting magnet (CAS 2026). Universities drive this; Shanghai Jiao Tong U's "artificial sun" EAST tokamak uses HTS. ZJU's recruitment fits "Thousand Talents" evolution, attracting 1000+ overseas experts yearly.
- Tsinghua: Iron-pnictide HTS optimization.
- USTC: Quantum HTS hybrids.
- IOP CAS-ZJU: YBCO tapes for grids.
Talent Flow: Singapore to China Brain Gain
Singapore excels in quantum materials (NUS Centre for Advanced 2D Materials), but China offers scale. Similar moves: Seeram Ramakrishna (NUS to Tsinghua). HTS needs massive facilities; China's investments lure talents like Chow.
For Chinese higher ed, this boosts grad programs, fostering next-gen researchers.
Applications Revolutionizing Technology
HTS enables lossless power transmission (China's 1km HTS cable trial), efficient MRI/fusion magnets, quantum computers. Chow's stable ambient material suits consumer electronics. China's roadmap eyes 10GW HTS grids by 2035.China's HTS roadmap details applications
Challenges and Future Horizons
HTS hurdles: scalability, cost, mechanism understanding. Nickelates promise but thin-film limited (~2nm phase). Chow aims bulk at ZJU. Room-temp dream persists; hydrides hit 250K high-pressure. China-ZJU collaborations accelerate.
Photo by Mike Enerio on Unsplash
Boost to Chinese Higher Education Landscape
Chow's move exemplifies China's higher ed strategy: elite programs like ZJU's attract youth talents, enhancing PhD training. With 3000+ HTS papers yearly, universities lead global race, integrating research into curricula for practical skills.
Global Implications and Next Steps
This relocation signals shifting gravity to Asia. ZJU's lab could yield bulk nickelates, revolutionizing energy. Watch for Chow's publications from Hangzhou.