Superconductor may hide long-sought secret

Material could demonstrate existence of a type of particle proposed 70 years ago

A new kind of superconductor can’t make up its mind about how to conduct electricity. Current passes through its interior without any resistance, as in a typical superconductor. But its skin behaves like a metal, conducting electricity but with some resistance.

SKIN DEEP This material may be hiding exotic particles that have eluded scientists for more than seven decades, Majorana fermions that could explain why the material behaves like a metal at the surface and like a superconductor on the inside.