This mixed state, observed in many HTS, has still some superconducting properties. On top of this, the material must be flexible enough for forming a coil a criterion that many of the brittle HTS materials do not yet satisfy. Unfortunately, the energy-savings created by superconducting electromagnet is somewhat reduced by the electrical power needed to cool the superconductors with liquid helium. The discovery of HTS has spurred the development of superconducting technologies that go beyond electromagnetic applications. This cost-saving progress in technology has caught the attention of power utilities around the world, and the first projects are under way to install superconducting cables as parts of the electrical distribution grid.
New applications continue to arise.
With so many applications in operation or just around the corner, it is almost impossible to imagine the impact the discovery of room-temperature superconductors would have.