Abstract: Some mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of high Tc superconductors such as (Ba, Y) cuprates can be substantially improved by the dispersal of an appropriate metal in the superconductive body. For instance, mixing Ag particles with superconductive powder of nominal composition Ba2YCu3O7 and processing the mixture in the conventional manner can produce superconductive bodies having Tc of about 93 K and substantially greater fracture strength and normal state electrical and thermal conductivity than otherwise identical bodies that do not contain Ag particles.

Abstract: Articles according to the invention comprise a superconductive cuprate (e.g., YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7) body containing elongate grains measuring at least about 10 .mu.m along the long axis and having an aspect ratio of at least 10:1. Bodies according to the invention can have relatively high critical current density, as compared to analogous non-textured bodies.

Abstract: The disclosed magnetic devices, including a magnetically coupled conducting path, incorporate amorphous, low magnetostriction alloys of the general formula (Co.sub.a Fe.sub.b T.sub.c).sub.i X.sub.j, the "metallic" constituents thereof being within the parenthetical expression. T, in the formulation, is selected from among Ni, Cr, Mn, V, Ti, Mo, W, Nb, Zr, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag and Au, X being at least one "glass former" selected from among P, Si, B, C, As, Ge, Al, Ga, In, Sb, Bi and Sn. The "metallic" constituents comprise from 70-90 atomic percent of the alloy with cobalt being present in an amount of at least 70 atomic percent of the "metallic" constituents. The described material is prepared by rapid cooling from the liquid, directly to the shape needed for fabrication of the device (e.g., tape to be wound to form an inductor core).