High Current Capacity Superconducting Wire for Compact Power Systems

The proposed Small Technology Transfer Research Program (STTR) focuses on development of an economical, liquid phase deposition process to fabricate textured, nanostructured superconducting film for second generation HTS wires. The process can also be used to disperse nanoscale secondary phases that act as flux pinning centers. This approach relies on synthesis of unagglomerated, well-dispersed nanoparticles in colloidal form, deposition of nanoparticles as well-packed, dense film and heat treating to achieve crystallization and epitaxial growth of the superconducting YBCO on a textured substrate. In Phase I, the feasibility of the approach will be demonstrated by using single crystal LaAlO3 substrates. Both pure YBa2Cu3Ox and YBa2Cu3Ox with dispersion of nanoscale Y2BaCuO5 will be developed in this program. Transition temperature and transport Critical current density at 77°K will measured. Evolution of the microstructure will be investigated by using SEM, TEF and XPS techniques.