According to a new technical market research report, "Superconductors: Technologies And Global Markets" (AVM066C) from BCC Research, the global market for superconductor technologies was valued at nearly $1.7 billion in 2011 and should reach $1.8 billion in 2012. Total market value is expected to reach $3.3 billion in 2017 after increasing at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.6%. The superconductivity market can be broken down into three segments: magnets, electrical equipment, and electronics.
Magnets are expected to have a value of nearly $1.8 billion in 2012 and $2.3 billion in 2017, a CAGR of 5.2%.
Electrical equipment should total $26.9 million in 2012 and $920.1 million in 2017, a CAGR of 102.7%.
As a segment, electronics is expected to be worth $11.5 million in 2012 and $88.7 million in 2017, a CAGR of 50.5%.
Important properties of superconductors include conductivity, reaction to nearby magnetic fields, and the ability of electrons to tunnel through a thin non-superconducting layer sandwiched between two superconductors.
A superconductor is an element, intermetallic alloy, or compound that loses all resistance to the flow of direct electrical current (DC) and nearly all resistance to the flow of alternating current (AC) when cooled below a critical temperature (Tc). The Tc is different for each superconducting material. There are two main classes of superconductors: Type I and Type II.
