High-Temperature Highly-Efficient Ceramic Heat Exchanger

65699 The availability of High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) wire, manufactured by a reliable, low-cost process, could revolutionize the electric power industry. For example, compact power transmission cables, motors, and generators could be attained by using high temperature superconductors (HTS) with a high critical current density Jc at 77K and magnetic fields of up to 1.5 Tesla. The superconductor YBa2Cu3Ox (YBCO) could be employed as the enabling material. However, for this to occur, the superconductor must have a high degree of bi-axial texture along long lengths. This project will produce YBCO coated conductors by combining buffered, high quality deformation-textured alloy substrates with a low cost solution-based YBCO deposition process. In Phase I, various experimental alloys were made in long lengths and evaluated for suitability for the YBCO coated conductor process. The most suitable candidate was identified for further development. In Phase II, long lengths of coated conductors will be made with further performance enhancements. The conductors will be tested in an environment that closely simulates a commercial application. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: High performance, low cost, superconducting YBCO coated conductors should have application to the electric power industry. Power transmission cables, motors, and generators should receive a performance boost from HTS use, and lead to a far wider acceptance of High Temperature Superconductors for power applications.