Types of Electrical Materials

Plastic, Rubber, Glass

Insulators

Silicon, Germanium

Semiconductors

Copper, Aluminum, Gold, Silver

Conductors

Titanium

Superconductors

Insulator

Large energy difference between conduction & valence bands: resists electron flow (inhibits electrical charges movement)

Semiconductor

Small energy difference between conduction and valence bands: conducts or resists, depending on temperature and other conditions

Conductor

Overlapping conduction and valence bands: conducts with minor resistance, varying depending on temperature and other conditions

Superconductor

Greatly overlapping conduction and valence bands: conducts with little or no electrical potential: most current systems require extreme cold to function although research indicates room-temperature _________ may be developed soon