Why Superconductor Pioneer Stephen Lin Er Chow Left Singapore for China

A career move by physicist Stephen Lin Er Chow drew attention in the materials‑science world because it followed a rare scientific breakthrough: the discovery of a copper‑free high‑temperature superconducting oxide.

Chow was part of the research team at the National University of Singapore (NUS) that reported bulk superconductivity near 40 K in hole‑doped SmNiO₂ at ambient pressure, published in Nature in 2025. Soon afterward, he joined Zhejiang University in China, where he became involved in research and doctoral supervision.

The move stands out not just as a personal career step but as an example of how major scientific discoveries can reshape academic opportunities—and how universities worldwide compete for researchers associated with them.

The Breakthrough: A Copper‑Free High‑Temperature Superconductor

Superconductors conduct electricity with zero electrical resistance below a critical temperature. While many superconductors exist, most require extremely low temperatures. The most prominent “high‑temperature” superconductors—discovered in the 1980s—are copper‑oxide materials known as cuprates.

For decades, cuprates were essentially the only oxide materials known to superconduct above roughly 30 K at ambient pressure.

The NUS research team led by Professor Ariando reported something unusual: a nickel‑oxide compound (SmNiO₂) that becomes superconducting at about 40 K without containing copper.

Key aspects of the discovery include:

• Copper‑free composition: The compound replaces copper with nickel in a structure capable of supporting superconductivity.
• Bulk superconductivity: Experiments showed the superconducting state occurs throughout the material rather than only in isolated regions.
• Ambient‑pressure conditions: The effect appears without the extreme pressures required for some experimental superconductors.

Because the field had long focused on copper‑based oxides, demonstrating superconductivity in a different oxide family significantly expanded the range of materials scientists can explore.

A Rapid Early‑Career Impact

Breakthroughs published in Nature are rare events in condensed‑matter physics. Being a co‑author—particularly early in a career—can dramatically raise a researcher’s profile.

Chow appeared as an author on the Nature paper describing superconductivity in hole‑doped SmNiO₂ while affiliated with the Department of Physics at NUS.

The result placed him among researchers associated with one of the most widely discussed superconductivity findings of 2025, giving him visibility in a field where experimental materials breakthroughs are especially prized.

Moving From NUS to Zhejiang University

After the discovery gained attention, Chow joined Zhejiang University in China, where he reportedly became a doctoral supervisor involved in research within the university’s physics programs.

The move occurred amid a broader trend: leading universities increasingly compete to recruit researchers linked to high‑impact discoveries.

China’s top institutions—including Zhejiang University—have invested heavily in fields such as:

• quantum materials
• condensed‑matter physics
• superconductivity and advanced materials

Large research funding programs, modern laboratory infrastructure, and aggressive recruitment initiatives have made Chinese universities increasingly prominent destinations for scientists pursuing frontier research.

Why the Move Matters

Chow’s relocation became notable because it highlights several shifts in modern science.

A new direction for superconductivity research

The SmNiO₂ discovery suggests that high‑temperature superconductivity may extend beyond copper‑oxide systems, potentially broadening the theoretical and experimental search for new materials.

Competition for breakthrough scientists

Researchers connected to high‑profile results often become targets for recruitment by major universities seeking to strengthen strategic fields.

A changing global research landscape

Asia—particularly China and Singapore—has become a major hub for advanced materials and condensed‑matter physics research, supported by large national investments in scientific infrastructure and talent programs.

The Bigger Picture

Stephen Lin Er Chow’s career trajectory illustrates how a single breakthrough can rapidly elevate a scientist’s global profile. His work on copper‑free superconductivity near 40 K opened new questions about how superconductivity arises and which materials might host it.

Whether nickel‑oxide systems like SmNiO₂ lead to even higher‑temperature superconductors remains an open scientific question. But the discovery has already influenced both the direction of superconductivity research and the global competition to recruit the scientists behind it.