Flat Band Energy Saving Superconductor (IMAGE) Aalto University Caption Aalto researchers have discovered that superconductivity is possible even in a crystal where the apparent mass of the electrons is infinite. The crystal is depicted as the ordered array of orange and green balls (atoms) in the figure. Electrons with an infinite apparent mass are also called electrons in flat bands. Superconductivity can occur if the electron waves centred around the single atoms spread widely enough to overlap significantly. Then, the electrons hop from one atom to the other through the region of overlap, and the flow of the supercurrent is ensured. Remarkably, a topological invariant of the electron waves, similar to the twist of the Mobius band shown in the figure, guarantees that overlapping electron waves exist. Credit Aalto University, Antti Paraoanu Usage Restrictions Image/ credit: Aalto University, Antti Paraoanu License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.