Nanostructured Superconductors for Emerging Applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Materials Science & Metallurgy
Abstract
This project will involve working with companies in Europe, the US and Asia, to create state-of-the-art superconducting conductors using past, present and future inventions in nanostructuring, and via novel processing routes.
The work is being used for new applications in the areas of high field magnets and fault current limiters. This is mostly through the enhancement in performance and cost of superconducting wire.
This project will involve nanostructural materials design and conductor fabrication using pulsed laser deposition. This includes work on nanoscale precipitate pinning to both increase the current carrying capacity of the superconducting wires and improve their performance in magnetic fields.
The work includes analysis of new superconducting wire processing methods such as the liquid-assisted-growth production route.
The work is being used for new applications in the areas of high field magnets and fault current limiters. This is mostly through the enhancement in performance and cost of superconducting wire.
This project will involve nanostructural materials design and conductor fabrication using pulsed laser deposition. This includes work on nanoscale precipitate pinning to both increase the current carrying capacity of the superconducting wires and improve their performance in magnetic fields.
The work includes analysis of new superconducting wire processing methods such as the liquid-assisted-growth production route.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Judith Driscoll (Primary Supervisor) | |
| John Feighan (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2022 | |||
| 1790902 | Studentship | EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2020 | John Feighan |
| Description | We have developed a new method for making superconducting YBCO films. This is faster than previous methods and, via the introduction of a secondary phase to act as a pinning center, has stronger current carrying capabilities. We are also developing a method of making GdBCO films that replicates those used in industry, only using a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) set-up rather than an e-beam set-up. This model system is much more adaptable than that used in industry and will allow for much for faster testing and experimentation cycles to create new products. |
| Exploitation Route | The new method for making YBCO fast and with good properties may be used by YBCO tape manufacturers to increase output, increase performance and lower costs. The new method of replicating an e-beam deposited films with PLD to create films via an intermediate liquid phase will allow for future researchers to test and experiment on new materials and methods of making materials that can be directly used by industry faster and cheaper. |
| Sectors | Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | YBa2Cu3O7-x films with Ba2Y(Nb,Ta)O6 nanoinclusions for high-field applications |
| Organisation | National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) |
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Created the targets. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Grew and measured the samples. |
| Impact | Materils science research paper on the improved performance of YBCO films with Ba2Y(Nb,Ta)O6 nancolumns. |
| Start Year | 2018 |