Comments on superconducting science and technology

At present a large part of scientific work, both experimental and theoretical, in superconductivty is stimulated by applications. The two most active areas are (1) nonequilibrium phenomena in superconductors, stimulated by applications based on quantum aspects and (2) research on the electron-phonon interaction and other factors that determine the transition temperature, T
c
, stimulated by the search for high T
c
materials. It is suggested that large scale applications, such as to the electric power industry, would be aided by more basic research by university scientists and engineers on the mechanical and electro-magnetic properties of currently available materials that operate at liquid helium temperatures.