ABSTRACT
In recent times chemists have become increasingly interested in designing new materials which exhibit unique electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. The success of new composite materials which combine the advantages of polymeric, ceramic, and metal components has given rise to a new materials chemistry approach. A prime example of this approach is the recent synthesis of ceramics based on copper oxide that are already achieving superconducting transition temperatures close to 95K. 1 Prior to this, the highest temperature that had been achieved in metal-metalloid alloys was in Nb3Ge at 24 K.
