In 1911, Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes discovered the vanishing electrical resistance of mercury below 4.2 K, marking the dawn of superconductivity research. The persistent pursuit of higher transition temperatures—particularly room-temperature superconductivity—has driven global scientific efforts for over a century. Groundbreaking discoveries of unconventional high-temperature superconductors, including cuprates and iron-based systems, have not only elevated transition temperatures to the liquid nitrogen regime (77 K) but also profoundly expanded condensed matter physics frontiers.

Guided by theoretical predictions, recent high-pressure breakthroughs near 1 million atmospheres have revealed near-room-temperature superconductivity in hydrogen-rich compounds (e.g., SH₃, LaH₁₀), repeatedly setting record transition temperatures and reigniting the quest for room-temperature superconductors. Notably, Chinese researchers have identified a novel nickelate superconductor in the liquid nitrogen temperature range under high pressure. China's sustained leadership in this field—demonstrated through seminal contributions to cuprate, iron-based, nickelate, and hydride superconductors—has established collective expertise and delivered transformative advances.

Pressure, as a fundamental state variable, uniquely expands materials exploration. Its critical advantages in discovering novel superconductors and elucidating mechanisms are exemplified by recent progress in hydride and nickelate systems. To advance high-pressure techniques in superconductivity research, Chinese Journal of High Pressure Physics presents this Special Topic, where experts comprehensively showcase: Latest advances in high-pressure superconducting studies; Future research trajectories.

We anticipate this collection will stimulate further engagement of young high-pressure scientists in superconductivity research.

We extend profound gratitude to all contributing scholars for their dedication.

Jinguang CHENG

Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Hanyu LIU

Key Laboratory of Materials Simulation Methods and Software of Ministry of Education, Jilin University