Superconductors are materials that transmit without loss any current applied to them. Unfortunately, many materials act as superconductors only when cooled to temperatures near absolute zero. The discovery of "room temperature" superconductors built around a core of specially treated niobium with copper shunting, however, made possible quantum leaps in technology. Most importantly, superconductors are key components in fusion engines and in the construction of Jump Gates and Trade Lanes.