Scientists Discover How Correlated Disorder Boosts Superconductivity
Superconductivity is a unique state of matter in which electric current flows without any energy loss. In materials with defects, it typically emerges at very low temperatures and develops in several stages. An international team of scientists, including physicists from HSE MIEM, has demonstrated that when defects within a material are arranged in a specific pattern rather than randomly, superconductivity can occur at a higher temperature and extend throughout the entire material. This discovery could help develop superconductors that operate without the need for extreme cooling. The study has been published in Physical Review B.
Superconductivity is a state in which electric current flows through a material without any energy loss. In conventional conductors, part of the energy is converted into heat, but in superconductors, this does not occur—current flows freely and does not weaken. Today, superconductors are used in applications such as MRI machines, where superconducting coils generate strong magnetic fields. In the future, superconductors may also be integrated into systems that require lossless power transmission and high-speed signal processing. The challenge is that nearly all superconductors function only at temperatures below -140 °C, which limits their practical use. To make them more viable, physicists are working to raise their operating temperature and improve stability.
Researchers from the HSE MIEM Centre for Quantum Metamaterials, in collaboration with colleagues from MEPhI, MIPT, and the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil, have shown that superconductivity can be made more stable by controlling the placement of defects. Defects are deviations from a material’s ideal crystal lattice, such as excess or missing atoms, impurities, and distortions. They usually disrupt the movement of electrons and weaken superconductivity, but it is impossible to eliminate them entirely, especially in multicomponent materials. Rather than eliminating these imperfections, the scientists have proposed arranging them in a specific pattern. This type of defect distribution is known as correlated disorder.
Alexei Vagov
'Imagine a crowd of people moving chaotically in different directions—that’s a classic example of disorder. Now imagine the same crowd moving in a complex but coordinated pattern, like a mass dance—that illustrates correlated disorder,' says Alexei Vagov, Professor at the HSE Tikhonov Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics. 'In superconductors, it turns out that this kind of order within disorder causes defects to actually enhance superconductivity.'
In materials with defects, superconductivity typically develops in two stages. First, isolated regions appear where superconductivity begins to emerge. Then, as the temperature drops, these regions connect, allowing current to flow throughout the entire sample. Scientists have modelled a two-dimensional superconductor with varying defect distributions—from random to correlated, where impurities are interconnected. The results show that when disorder in the material is coordinated rather than chaotic, the transition happens immediately: superconductivity emerges simultaneously throughout the entire system.
The scientists believe these findings could aid in the development of thin superconducting films, whose structures closely resemble the model used in the study. When synthesising such films, it is possible to control the placement of defects in advance, which is useful both for testing the theory and for creating materials with specified properties.
'Controlling the placement of defects at the microscopic level could enable the creation of superconductors that operate at much higher temperatures—potentially even at room temperature. This would transform superconductivity from a laboratory rarity into a technology used in everyday devices,' comments Alexei Vagov.
The study was conducted with support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Grant 075-15-2025-010, and HSE University's Basic Research Programme within the framework of the Centres of Excellence project.
See also:
Scientists Discover That the Brain Responds to Others’ Actions as if They Were Its Own
When we watch someone move their finger, our brain doesn’t remain passive. Research conducted by scientists from HSE University and Lausanne University Hospital shows that observing movement activates the motor cortex as if we were performing the action ourselves—while simultaneously ‘silencing’ unnecessary muscles. The findings were published in Scientific Reports.
Russian Scientists Investigate Age-Related Differences in Brain Damage Volume Following Childhood Stroke
A team of Russian scientists and clinicians, including Sofya Kulikova from HSE University in Perm, compared the extent and characteristics of brain damage in children who experienced a stroke either within the first four weeks of life or before the age of two. The researchers found that the younger the child, the more extensive the brain damage—particularly in the frontal and parietal lobes, which are responsible for movement, language, and thinking. The study, published in Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, provides insights into how age can influence the nature and extent of brain lesions and lays the groundwork for developing personalised rehabilitation programmes for children who experience a stroke early in life.
Scientists Test Asymmetry Between Matter and Antimatter
An international team, including scientists from HSE University, has collected and analysed data from dozens of experiments on charm mixing—the process in which an unstable charm meson oscillates between its particle and antiparticle states. These oscillations were observed only four times per thousand decays, fully consistent with the predictions of the Standard Model. This indicates that no signs of new physics have yet been detected in these processes, and if unknown particles do exist, they are likely too heavy to be observed with current equipment. The paper has been published in Physical Review D.
HSE Scientists Reveal What Drives Public Trust in Science
Researchers at HSE ISSEK have analysed the level of trust in scientific knowledge in Russian society and the factors shaping attitudes and perceptions. It was found that trust in science depends more on everyday experience, social expectations, and the perceived promises of science than on objective knowledge. The article has been published in Universe of Russia.
Institute for Robotics Systems Established at HSE University
As decided by the HSE University Academic Council, a new Institute for Robotics Systems will be established at HSE, and with a strong fundamental base. It will cooperate with relevant departments across the university and engage students and doctoral candidates in research and development (R&D). First Vice Rector of HSE University and Director of the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, Leonid Gokhberg, discussed the expected practical results and the framework for cooperation with an industrial partner.
Scientists Uncover Why Consumers Are Reluctant to Pay for Sugar-Free Products
Researchers at the HSE Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience have investigated how 'sugar-free' labelling affects consumers’ willingness to pay for such products. It was found that the label has little impact on the products’ appeal due to a trade-off between sweetness and healthiness: on the one hand, the label can deter consumers by implying an inferior taste, while on the other, it signals potential health benefits. The study findings have been published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
HSE Seeks New Ideas for AI Agents: Initiative Competition Launched
HSE University is inviting researchers and lecturers to present concepts for new digital products based on artificial intelligence. The best projects will receive expert and technological support. Applications are open until December 19, 2025.
IDLab: Fascinating Research, Tough Deadlines, and Academic Drive
The International Laboratory of Intangible-driven Economy (IDLab) was established at the HSE campus in Perm 11 years ago. Its expertise in data processing and analysis allows researchers to combine fundamental studies with applied projects, including the development of risk and cybersecurity models for Sber. The head of the laboratory, Professor Petr Parshakov, and Senior Research Fellow Professor Mariya Molodchik spoke to the HSE News Service about IDLab’s work.
HSE Lecturers Awarded Yandex ML Prize 2025
The Yandex ML Prize is awarded to lecturers and heads of educational programmes who contribute to the development of artificial intelligence in Russia. This year, 10 laureates were selected from 300 applicants, including three members of the HSE Faculty of Computer Science (FCS). A special Hall of Fame award was also presented for contributions to the establishment of machine learning as an academic field. One of the recipients was Dmitry Vetrov, Research Professor at the HSE FCS.
HSE Tops Ranking of Universities Participating in Priority 2030 Programme
The Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education has published an updated list of participants in the Priority 2030 programme. A total of 106 universities will receive support this year. HSE University was included in the first group and topped the ranking.