The discovery of high-temperature superconducting materials in 1986 unleashed a worldwide flurry of research with high hopes for an ensuing technological revolution in electronics, transportation, and energy fields. In the 10 following years, valuable scientific knowledge was acquired which is beginning to lead to these expected technological advances. The essential property of superconductors, namely infinite electrical conductivity (zero resistance) in steady current flow, leads to many possible applications, including faster electronics requiring less power; smaller, more efficient motors and generators; and more efficient transfer and storage of electrical energy.