Why is superconductivity research plagued by controversy?

Scientific American published an interview with Eva Zurek on why superconductivity research has been plagued by controversy. Excitement continues to surround materials known as superhydrides — hydrogen-rich materials that appear to allow for superconductivity at higher temperatures, albeit under tremendous pressure — which is why researchers like Zurek, continue to be fascinated by them. Zurek was asked how she sees the fture of the field developing: “I think pretty much everybody believes that if you can make room-temperature, ambient-pressure superconductor, then you’re slated to win the Nobel Prize, and also, potentially, cash in on a number of patents. So I think that there are a lot of incentives for researchers to continue down that way.”