# Superconductor Skateboards Parisian Students Show Off the MagSurf, the World's First Hoverboard By Omar Yusuf | Published 2011-10-20 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magsurf References: [geekologie](http://www.geekologie.com/2011/10/real-life-hoverboard-count-me-in.php) Though my faith has certainly been tested in recent weeks, the announcement of the MagSurf has revitalized my zealous devotion to scientists, engineers and anyone else who invents logic-defying gadgets like this. Who knew that the year which Back to the Future 2 was set in would coincidentally be the same year the hoverboard was invented? The scriptwriters, that's who! Harnessing the power of [quantum levitation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hoverpen-traverse), students of the [University of Paris](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aluminum-tubes) at Diderot have turned a chemically inactive wafer into a fully functional hoverboard by adding some superconductors and a bucketful of liquid nitrogen. Though it can only travel on a predetermined course, the hoverboard is capable of deftly gliding above the air due to 'flux tubes' that maintain a barely neutral magnetic field. Just don't try kick-flipping the board -- you might get a face full of freezing ice! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 29% | Activity: 82% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Quantum Levitation:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop applications for quantum levitation technology in transportation and sports industries. - **Superconductor Materials:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new applications for superconductor materials in various industries, such as energy and medical devices. - **Magnetic Field Control:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop technologies for precise control of magnetic fields for applications in transportation, levitation, and robotics. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Transportation:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create hoverboard-like transportation devices using quantum levitation and magnetic field control technologies. - **Sports:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionize sports equipment by incorporating superconductor materials for enhanced performance and novel functionalities. - **Energy:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Apply superconductor materials in renewable energy systems to improve efficiency and reduce energy loss. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Intuitive Remote-Free Electric Skateboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquid-skateboard.md) - [Biotech-Informed Surfboard Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/battboard-electric-surfboard.md) - [Two-Wheeled Surfing-Inspired Skateboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surf-skateboard.md) - [Electric Performance Surfboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-hydrofoil-board.md) - [Hybridized Electric Longboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybridized-electric-longboards.md) - [Hoverboard-Luggage Design Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trunk-car.md) - [Video Game-Inspired Hovercrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mario-kart-hovercraft.md) - [Handlebar-Toting Hydrofoil Boards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hydrofoil-board.md) - [Hybrid Electric Surfer Boards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scubajet-hybridboard.md)