Abstract: A process for producing a cube textured foil is described. The process includes providing a cube textured metal foil M. The process further includes electroplating an epitaxial layer of an alloy on the foil M, whereby the epitaxial layer substantially replicates the cube texture of the metal foil M. The process further includes electroplating a non-epitaxial layer of an alloy on the epitaxial layer. The process further includes separating the electroplated alloy from the cube textured metal foil M to obtain an electro-formed alloy with one cube textured surface.

Abstract: A superconductor for mitigating the effects of local current disruptions in a superconducting filament. The superconductor comprises superconducting filaments covered by a medium in electrical communication with the filaments. The covering medium has anisotropic conductivity, the conductivity in a direction substantially aligned with the filaments being selected to stabilize the superconductor near the critical temperature, and the conductivity of the covering in a direction substantially perpendicular to the filaments being selected to permit controlled current sharing between the filaments, especially when a filament is compromised, while simultaneously limiting alternating current (ac) losses. In various embodiments, the covering comprises a wire mesh having longitudinal wires made of a first material having a first conductivity, and transverse wires made of a second material having a second conductivity, different from the first conductivity.

Abstract: A composite substrate for superconductors and methods for making the same are described. The composite substrate of the present invention includes at least a core layer having and a sheath layer having a cube texture on at least a portion its surface. In certain embodiments, the core layer can include a nickel-tungsten-molybdenum alloy having about 2-10 atomic percent tungsten and 2-15 atomic percent molybdenum. In some embodiments, the sheath layer can include nickel or a nickel-tungsten alloy having about 0 to 6 atomic percent tungsten. Generally, the core layer is stronger than the sheath layer and an interdiffusion zone can exist between the core layer and the sheath layer.

Abstract: A superconductor for mitigating the effects of local current disruptions in a superconducting filament. The superconductor comprises superconducting filaments covered by a medium in electrical communication with the filaments. The covering medium has anisotropic conductivity, the conductivity in a direction substantially aligned with the filaments being selected to stabilize the superconductor near the critical temperature, and the conductivity of the covering in a direction substantially perpendicular to the filaments being selected to permit controlled current sharing between the filaments, especially when a filament is compromised, while simultaneously limiting alternating current (ac) losses. In various embodiments, the covering comprises a wire mesh having longitudinal wires made of a first material having a first conductivity, and transverse wires made of a second material having a second conductivity, different from the first conductivity.

Abstract: A laminated superconductor wire includes a superconductor wire assembly, which includes a first superconductor insert comprising a first high temperature superconductor layer overlaying a first substrate and a second superconductor insert comprising a second high temperature superconductor layer overlaying a second substrate. The first and second superconductor inserts are joined together at their respective substrates. An electrically conductive structure substantially surrounds the superconductor wire assembly.

Abstract: A superconductor for mitigating the effects of local current disruptions in a superconducting filament. The superconductor comprises superconducting filaments covered by a medium in electrical communication with the filaments. The covering medium has anisotropic conductivity, the conductivity in a direction substantially aligned with the filaments being selected to stabilize the superconductor near the critical temperature, and the conductivity of the covering in a direction substantially perpendicular to the filaments being selected to permit controlled current sharing between the filaments, especially when a filament is compromised, while simultaneously limiting alternating current (ac) losses. In various embodiments, the covering comprises a wire mesh having longitudinal wires made of a first material having a first conductivity, and transverse wires made of a second material having a second conductivity, different from the first conductivity.

Abstract: A laminated conductor includes a metallic substrate having a surface, a biaxially textured buffer layer supported by the surface of the substrate, the biaxially textured buffer layer comprising LZO and a dopant for mitigating metal diffusion through the LZO, and a biaxially textured conductor layer supported by the biaxially textured buffer layer.

Abstract: An article having low ac loss includes an elongated substrate having a length and a width; and a plurality of filaments comprising an oxide superconductor extending substantially along the length of the elongated substrate and spaced apart from one other filaments across the width of the elongated substrate, wherein at least one filament crosses over at least one other filament such that the at least one filament occupies a first position across the width of the elongated substrate before the crossover and a second position across the width of the elongated substrate after crossover.

Abstract: An elongated article comprising a first layer of oxide superconductor filaments extending substantially along the length of the elongated article and spaced apart from one another across the width of the elongated substrate; a second layer of oxide superconductor filaments extending substantially along the length of the elongated article and spaced apart from one another across the width of the elongated article, wherein the first filament layer is positioned above the second filament layer; and a barrier layer positioned between the first and second filament layers, wherein the filaments of the first and second filament layers are positioned such that at least one filament of the first layer crosses at least one filament of the second layer.

Abstract: A composite substrate for superconductors and methods for making the same are described. The composite substrate of the present invention includes at least a core layer having and a sheath layer having a cube texture on at least a portion its surface. In certain embodiments, the core layer can include a nickel-tungsten-molybdenum alloy having about 2-10 atomic percent tungsten and 2-15 atomic percent molybdenum. In some embodiments, the sheath layer can include nickel or a nickel-tungsten alloy having about 0 to 6 atomic percent tungsten. Generally, the core layer is stronger than the sheath layer and an interdiffusion zone can exist between the core layer and the sheath layer.

Abstract: A laminated conductor includes a metallic substrate having a surface, a biaxially textured buffer layer supported by the surface of the metallic substrate, the biaxially textured buffer layer comprising Y2O3 and a dopant for blocking cation diffusion through the Y2O3, and a biaxially textured conductor layer supported by the biaxially textured buffer layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a practical superconducting conductor based upon biaxially textured high temperature superconducting coatings. In particular, methods for producing flexible and bend strain-resistant articles and articles produced in accordance therewith are described which provide improved current sharing, lower hysteretic losses under alternating current conditions, enhanced electrical and thermal stability and improved mechanical properties between otherwise isolated films in a coated high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. Multilayered materials including operational material which is sensitive to bend strain can be constructed, in which the bend strain in the region in which such operational material is located is minimized. The invention also provides a means for splicing coated tape segments and for termination of coated tape stack ups or conductor elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to a practical superconducting conductor based upon biaxially textured high temperature superconducting coatings. In particular, methods for producing flexible and bend strain-resistant articles and articles produced in accordance therewith are described which provide improved current sharing, lower hysteretic losses under alternating current conditions, enhanced electrical and thermal stability and improved mechanical properties between otherwise isolated films in a coated high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. Multilayered materials including operational material which is sensitive to bend strain can be constructed, in which the bend strain in the region in which such operational material is located is minimized. The invention also provides a means for splicing coated tape segments and for termination of coated tape stack ups or conductor elements.

Abstract: Methods and articles for controlling the surface of an alloy substrate for deposition of an epitaxial layer. The invention includes the use of an intermediate layer to stabilize the substrate surface against oxidation for subsequent deposition of an epitaxial layer.

Abstract: Methods for preparing thick film rare-earth Ba2Cu3O7-&dgr; (such as YBCO) superconductive layers, particularly including deposition of a precursor as a dispersion of solid-state materials, including a binder or a solvent or both constituents. The solid-state materials include oxides, fluorides, and acetates of yttrium, barium, and copper in the form of ultrafine particles.

Abstract: An alloy having a cube textured substrate is disclosed. The alloy includes two different metals. The alloy can be used as a substrate for a superconductor. Optionally, one or more buffer layers can be disposed between the substrate and the superconductor material. The alloy can be prepared using a process that includes rolling the alloy and annealing the alloy. The alloy can have a relatively large volume percent that is formed of grains with cube texture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a practical superconducting conductor based upon biaxially textured high temperature superconducting coatings. In particular, methods for producing flexible and bend strain-resistant articles and articles produced in accordance therewith are described which provide improved current sharing, lower hysteretic losses under alternating current conditions, enhanced electrical and thermal stability and improved mechanical properties between otherwise isolated films in a coated high temperature superconducting (HTS) wire. Multilayered materials including operational material which is sensitive to bend strain can be constructed, in which the bend strain in the region in which such operational material is located is minimized. The invention also provides a means for splicing coated tape segments and for termination of coated tape stack ups or conductor elements.

Abstract: An alloy that contains at least two metals and can be used as a substrate for a superconductor is disclosed. The alloy can contain an oxide former. The alloy can have a biaxial or cube texture. The substrate can be used in a multilayer superconductor, which can further include one or more buffer layers disposed between the substrate and the superconductor material. The alloys can be made a by process that involves first rolling the alloy then annealing the alloy. A relatively large volume percentage of the alloy can be formed of grains having a biaxial or cube texture.

Abstract: Oxide bronze compositions and articles manufactured in accordance therewith are provided. The oxide bronze compositions have the general formula AxBOy, in which A comprises an alkali, alkaline earth or rare earth metal and in which A has a valence, m, equal to 1, 2 or 3, B comprises a transition metal having a valence, n, less than or equal to 6,0<x<1 on an atomic ratio basis and y=[(x)(m)+n]/2. High temperature superconducting devices incorporating such compositions are also provided. The superconducting devices include a substrate having a polycrystalline superconducting layer or filament deposited on top of or embedded in the substrate. The superconducting layer or filament is formed of the oxide bronze composition. In some embodiments, the oxide bronze layer is textured with a full-width-half-maximum of a pole figure of less than or equal to 20 degrees.

Abstract: An alloy capable of forming a (100) [001] cube-texture by thermo-mechanical techniques has 5 to 45 atomic percent nickel with the balance being copper. The alloy is useful as a conductive substrate for superconducting composites where the substrate is coated with a superconducting oxide. A buffer layer can optionally be coated on the substrate to enhance deposition of the superconducting oxide. Methods for producing the alloys, substrates, and superconductors are included.