ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Type-1.5 superconductor

Okay kiddo, so let's talk about a special material called a "superconductor". You know how some things conduct electricity really well, like metal wires? Well, a superconductor is a material that conducts electricity even better than metal, but only at really, really cold temperatures.

Now, there's a special kind of superconductor called a "type-1.5 superconductor". This is actually a mix of two different types of superconductors. You see, there are two main types of superconductors: "Type-I" and "Type-II". Type-I superconductors are really good at conducting electricity, but they don't work well in strong magnetic fields. Type-II superconductors, on the other hand, are better at working in strong magnetic fields, but they're not as good at conducting electricity as Type-I superconductors.

So, a type-1.5 superconductor is like a mix of Type-I and Type-II superconductors. It's kind of like having the best of both worlds! It can conduct electricity really well, and also work in strong magnetic fields.

Scientists are really excited about type-1.5 superconductors because they could be really useful in all sorts of things, like making really powerful magnets for MRI machines, or making really efficient electrical wires. But, we still have lots to learn about them, so scientists are working hard to figure out all the cool things we can do with these super special materials!