Abstract: A magnetically levitated superconducting bearing includes a magnet (2) mounted on a shaft (12) that is rotatable around an axis of rotation and a Type II superconductor (6) supported on a stator (14) in proximity to the magnet (2). The superconductor (6) is positioned so that when it is cooled to its superconducting state in the presence of a magnetic field, it interacts with the magnet (2) to produce an attractive force that levitates the magnet (2) and supports a load on the shaft (12). The interaction between the superconductor (6) and magnet(2) also produces surface screening currents (8) that generate a repulsive force perpendicular to the load. The bearing also has means for maintaining the superconductor at a temperature below its critical temperature (16, 18). The bearing could also be constructed so the magnet (2) is supported on the stator (14) and the superconductor (6) is mounted on the shaft (12).

Abstract: A flywheel having superconductor bearings has a lower drag to lift ratio that translates to an improvement of a factor of ten in the rotational decay rate. The lower drag results from the lower dissipation of melt-processed YBCO, improved uniformity of the permanent magnet portion of the bearings, operation in a different range of vacuum pressure from that taught by the art, and greater separation distance from the rotating members of conductive materials.

Abstract: A superconductor electromagnetic radiation detector includes a superconductor composite (2) that has a matrix (6) transparent to electromagnetic radiation wavelengths to be detected and a plurality of superconductor particles (4) dispersed in the matrix (6). The detector also includes remote means for detecting a physical response of the superconductor particles (4) to electromagnetic radiation. The physical response of the superconductor particles (4) to electromagnetic radiation indicates the presence of electromagnetic radiation. A method of detecting electromagnetic radiation includes illuminating a plurality of superconductor particles (4) dispersed in the matrix (6) of a superconductor composite (2) with electromagnetic radiation and remotely detecting a physical response to the superconductor particles (4) to the electromagnetic radiation.