Abstract: The invention relates to a method for metal coating the surface of high temperature superconductors with a copper-oxygen base structure. The aim of the invention is to achieve a method as above, which requires a low production complexity, serves for the production of contacts with a low electrical and/or thermal transfer resistance and which increases the stability of the metallization. Said aim is achieved whereby copper is applied to give low-ohmic contacts, and the linked achievement of a stable metallization between the HTS and the electrical and/or thermal coupling. Further advantageous effects are achieved with the method whereby the copper is applied in the form of copper alloys, in particular as copper-nickel or copper-zinc alloys. On applying the method it is furthermore of advantage for the creation of fine grained surface coatings to overlay the galvanic cell with a permanent and/or alternating magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of terminating at least one conductor of a superconducting cable comprising a plurality of superconducting tapes, comprising the steps of associating an electrically conductive connector radially at the at least one conductor, embedding and end of the superconducting tapes in a thermosetting resin, embedding an end portion of the superconducting tapes in a solder and achieving an electric contact by the solder. Moreover, the invention relates to a terminated conductor of a superconducting cable, a superconducting cable, a joint between conductors of two superconducting cables, a current transmission/distribution network, and a terminator for at least one conductor of a superconducting cable that embody the above method.

Abstract: A method for mechanical stabilisation of a superconducting composite having a tube-shaped superconducting ceramic and a reinforcing pipe introduced into each other by pre-stressing the tube-shaped superconducting ceramic by applying compressive force on one end of the tube as well as to a pre-stressable superconducting composite.

Abstract: Processes for the fabrication of MgB2 powder and wires are provided. Powders are produced by mechanically alloying magnesium- and boron-containing precursors under controlled conditions to avoid secondary phase and impurity formation. Powders are also prepared by vapor phase reaction of volatile magnesium- and boron-containing precursors. Wires, tapes, films and coatings are provided.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet coil support structure (20) includes a solid body (21) having an exterior side (24), an interior portion (26), and an interior side (28). The interior portion has a base (36) that is formed of a first resin material. The exterior side (24) has multiple spacers (32) and multiple pockets (34) with dimensions that correspond to dimensions of a superconducting magnet (14). The spacers (32) are coupled to the base (36) and are formed of a second resin material. The exterior side (24), the interior portion (26), and the interior side (28) include varying width material.

Abstract: A superconducting cable comprising at least a superconducting conductor and a cryostat, including a thermal insulation and an inner tube, with a protecting element between the superconducting conductor and the inner tube, to prevent damages to the superconducting material by the inner tube of the cryostat.

Abstract: The inventive method of manufacturing an oxide superconducting wire comprises a step (S1, S2) of preparing a wire formed by covering raw material powder of an oxide superconductor with a metal and a step (S4, S6) of heat-treating the wire in a pressurized atmosphere, and the total pressure of the pressurized atmosphere is at least 1 MPa and less than 50 MPa. Thus, formation of voids between oxide superconducting crystals and blisters of the oxide superconducting wire is suppressed while the partial oxygen pressure can be readily controlled in the heat treatment, whereby the critical current density can be improved.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed in the method for producing a multifilament (Nb, Ti)3Sn superconducting wire by the steps of preparing a plurality of Nb or Nb alloy rods where Nb or Nb alloy monofilaments are encased in copper or copper alloy sheaths; packing the Nb or Nb alloy rods within a copper containing matrix to form a packed subelement for the superconducting wire; providing sources of Sn, and sources of Ti within said subelement; assembling the subelements within a further copper containing matrix; and diffusing the Sn and Ti into the Nb or Nb alloy rods to form (Nb, Ti)3Sn. The method is improved by diffusing the Ti into the Nb from a minor number of Ti dopant source rods which are distributed among the Nb or Nb alloy rods.

Abstract: The invention relates to multi-layer articles and methods of making such articles. The methods include first conditioning the surface of an underlying layer, such as a buffer layer or a superconductor layer, then disposing a layer of material on the conditioned surface. The conditioned surface can be a high quality surface. Superconductor articles formed by these methods can exhibit relatively high critical current densities.

Abstract: A method for reducing ac loss in a superconducting coil of cable-in-conduit type superconductor made from chrome-coated compound superconducting strands, characterized in that when a superconducting coil is produced by the wind-and-react technique, bending or twist strain is applied in an amount of 0.15˜0.3% to the conductor cable portion after it has been heat-treated to form the superconducting compound, thereby separating the individual superconducting strands the chrome coat on which sintered as the result of heat treatment and further characterized in that the applied bending or twist strain is thereafter reverted to 0.1% or less, thereby reducing the ac loss of the superconducting coil.

Abstract: In order to provide a flexible oxide superconducting cable which is reduced in AC loss, tape-shaped superconducting wires covered with a stabilizing metal are wound on a flexible former. The superconducting wires are preferably laid on the former at a bending strain of not more than 0.2 %. In laying on the former, a number of tape-shaped superconducting wires are laid on a core member in a side-by-side manner, to form a first layer. A prescribed number of tape-shaped superconducting wires are laid on top of the first layer in a side-by-side manner, to form a second layer. The former may be made of a metal, plastic, reinforced plastic, polymer, or a composite and provides flexibility to the superconducting wires and the cable formed therewith.

Abstract: A method is described for the production of superconductive wires based on hollow filaments made of MgB2, which comprises: a) the formation of a composite billet by means of the coaxial insertion in a tubular metallic container of a cylindrical bar made of metallic magnesium and amorphous boron powder in the interspace between the container and bar, said powder being pressed between the metallic container and the magnesium bar, in such a quantity that the weight ratio magnesium/boron is higher than 1.2; b) at least one plastic deformation treatment of the composite billet thus obtained until a wire with a pre-fixed diameter is obtained, with the subsequent winding of the wire onto a support; c) a thermal treatment of the filament product thus obtained, at a temperature ranging from 700° C. to 950° C. for a time ranging from 15 minutes to three hours.

Abstract: In order to provide a flexible oxide superconducting cable which is reduced in AC loss, tape-shaped superconducting wires covered with a stabilizing metal are wound on a flexible former. The superconducting wires are preferably laid on the former at a bending strain of not more than 0.2%. In laying on the former, a number of tape-shaped superconducting wires are laid on a core member in a side-by-side manner, to form a first layer. A prescribed number of tape-shaped superconducting wires are laid on top of the first layer in a side-by-side manner, to form a second layer. The former may be made of a metal, plastic, reinforced plastic, polymer, or a composite and provides flexibility to the superconducting wires and the cable formed therewith.

Abstract: A method for producing a superconductor having a high copper to superconductor composition (Cu/SC) ratio by cross-sectional area. An assembly is prepared formed of one or more fine filaments of a superconductor composition or of a precursor component for a superconductor alloy composition, which filaments are embedded in a copper-based matrix. The assembly is electroplated with copper to increase the Cu/filament ratio in the resulting product, and thereby increase the said Cu/SC ratio to improve the stability of the final superconductor.

Abstract: A method includes forming an as-grown film of a superconductor composed of a MgB2 compound which is made by simultaneous evaporation of magnesium and boron. The as-grown film is superconductive without an annealing process to make the film superconductive. The method can be applied to fabricate an integrated circuit of the superconductor film, because a high temperature annealing process to make the as-grown film superconductive is not needed.

Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure relates to a method of building a superconductor device on a substrate, comprising depositing an imprint layer on at least a portion of the substrate. The imprint layer is imprinted to provide an imprinted portion of the imprint layer and a non-imprinted portion of the imprint layer. A superconductor layer is deposited on at least a portion of the imprinted portion of the imprint layer.

Abstract: A racetrack shaped high temperature superconducting (HTS) coil is fabricated by layer winding HTS tape under tension on a precision coil form with a binder such as pre-preg filament-ply interlayer insulation. The coil form includes a racetrack shaped bobbin, two side plates and a series of blocks that define the outside surface of the coil. The outside surface of the winding is over-wrapped with a copper foil bonded to heat exchanger tubing. The coil is baked in the coil form to cure the epoxy then released from the coil form. The resulting coil structure is a strong winding composite built to close tolerance dimensions.

Abstract: A niobium-based superconductor is manufactured by establishing multiple niobium components in a billet of a ductile metal, working the composite billet through a series of reduction steps to form the niobium components into elongated elements, each niobium element having a thickness on the order of 1 to 25 microns, surrounding the billet prior to the last reduction step with a porous confining layer of an acid resistant metal, immersing the confined billet in an acid or a high temperature liquid metal to remove the ductile metal from between the niobium elements while the niobium elements remain confined by said porous layer, exposing the confined mass of niobium elements to a material capable of reacting with Nb to form a superconductor.

Abstract: A composite superconducting tape including a multiplicity of constituent superconducting tapes stacked parallel to one another with major faces in contact, and at least some of constituent tapes have widths not greater than half the width of the composite superconductor and are laid edge to edge with each other. All constituent superconducting tapes may have a width that is substantially half, or another simple fraction, of the width of the composite tape so that they form two or more substacks with aligned zones between them which contain no superconducting material. A full-width tape of silver or silver alloy to bridge from tape to tape provides sufficiently strong mechanical connection between substacks. The composite superconducting tape has substantially improved critical current compared with a stack of the same overall dimensions and composition with all full-width superconducting tapes, due to magnetic de-coupling between the substacks.

Abstract: A method for winding on embedded b-zero coil maintains the integrity of superconducting main coil and the b-zero wire during coil winding and during normal operation of a superconducting MRI magnet. The b-zero coil is co-wound with an aluminum overwrap while the aluminum overwrap is being wound onto the superconducting MRI coil. The two-wire geometries are selected such that the height or thickness of the aluminum overwrap is greater than or equal to the height or thickness of the b-zero coil wire. The b-zero coil wire sits in a cavity that is created by adjacent turns.

Abstract: A superconducting magnet support structure is provided. The support structure includes an exterior portion and an interior portion. The exterior portion has multiple shoulders and multiple pockets. The shoulders and pockets are dimensioned corresponding to dimensions of a superconducting magnet. The interior portion has a base coupled to the shoulders. The exterior portion and the interior portion contain roving at approximately 0° and 90° directions relative to a center axis extending through the support structure. A method of fabricating the support structure is also provided including applying an integrated multi-layer glass tape to a preformed support tooling during a wet winding process.

Abstract: In order to provide a flexible oxide superconducting cable which is reduced in AC loss, tape-shaped superconducting wires covered with a stabilizing metal are wound on a flexible former. The superconducting wires are preferably laid on the former at a bending strain of not more than 0.2%. In laying on the former, a number of tape-shaped superconducting wires are laid on a core member in a side-by-side manner, to form a first layer. A prescribed number of tape-shaped superconducting wires are laid on top of the first layer in a side-by-side manner, to form a second layer. The former may be made of a metal, plastic, reinforced plastic, polymer, or a composite and provides flexibility to the superconducting wires and the cable formed therewith.

Abstract: A method and article for producing a high transition temperature superconducting tape or wire with a normal metal sheath and at least two surface layers, an inner electrically insulating layer and an outer low friction layer. The method includes mechanical deformation and a plurality of annealing steps, and the application of at least one surface layer after the final annealing step. The coating materials are selected based on their electrical insulation and friction, as well as their compatibility with cryogenic conditions and coating methods.

Abstract: An Nb3Sn-based superconductive wire which, when used in a superconductive magnet, manifests sufficient strength also against force along the radius direction in operating the magnet and reveals little deterioration in properties due to mechanical strain ascribable to the force along the radius direction is provided. An Nb3Sn-based superconductive wire comprising a bronze/filament aggregate obtained by placing a lot of niobium (Nb) or niobium alloy filaments in a copper (Cu)-tin (Sn)-based alloy matrix, wherein said niobium or niobium alloy filament constituting the bronze/filament aggregate 3? is a composite filament 5 obtained by combining with a filament reinforcing material having mechanical strength under temperature not more than room temperature after thermal treatment for producing an Nb3Sn-based superconductive compound, larger than the mechanical strength of the niobium or niobium alloy.

Abstract: A niobium-based superconductor is manufactured by establishing multiple niobium components in a billet of a ductile metal, working the composite billet through a series of reduction steps to form the niobium components into elongated elements, each niobium element having a thickness on the order of 1 to 25 microns, surrounding the billet prior to the last reduction step with a porous confining layer of an acid resistant metal, immersing the confined billet in an acid or a high temperature liquid metal to remove the ductile metal from between the niobium elements while the niobium elements remain confined by said porous layer, exposing the confined mass of niobium elements to a material capable of reacting with Nb to form a superconductor.

Abstract: Superconducting cable (1) comprising: a) a layer (20) of tapes comprising superconducting material, b) a tubular element (6) for supporting said layer (20) of tapes comprising superconducting material, c) a cooling circuit, adapted to cool the superconducting material to a working temperature not higher than its critical temperature, characterized in that said tubular element (6) is composite and comprises a predetermined amount of a first material having a first thermal expansion coefficient and a second material having a thermal expansion coefficient higher than that of said first material, said thermal expansion coefficients and said amounts of said first and second material being predetermined in such a way that said tubular element has an overall thermal shrinkage between the room temperature and said working temperature of the cable such as to cause a deformation of said tapes comprising superconducting material lower than the critical deformation of the same tapes.

Abstract: A process for producing superconducting cable consisting of at least one elongated superconducting element, containing a cable core, and a flexible tube enclosing the cable core, is described, this process comprising the following steps:

Abstract: A method of manufacturing superconducting wires based on MgB2 is described and includes the steps of: production of a cylindrical wire comprising an MgB2 core surrounded by a metal covering, in which the core has a lattice structure formed by grains of the compound MgB2; rolling of the wire to produce a conductor in tape form; and subsequent heat treatment by heating to a temperature of between 800° C. to 870° C. This last step helps to increase the connection between the MgB2 grains whilst retaining the structural defects produced in the rolling step, thus producing a superconducting wire with greater current-transport capacity.

Abstract: A superconducting material useful for forming electrolytic devices is made by establishing multiple niobium or tantalum components in a primary billet of a ductile material; working the primary billet through a series of reduction steps to form the niobium or tantalum components into elongated elements; cutting and restacking the resulting elongated elements with a porous confining layer to form a secondary billet, working the secondary billet through a series of reduction steps including twisting and final rolling to thin ribbon cross-sections with greater than 5:1 Aspect Ratios; cutting the resulting elongated billet into sections; and leaching the core and sheath at least in part.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic field generator and method for assembling the same for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising: establishing a layout for a permanent magnet of a magnet assembly comprising a pole piece, a ferromagnetic plate yoke and a permanent magnet. The method also includes populating the layout with a plurality of mock-up sticks and block retainers to form a mock layout for the permanent magnet; and installing a magnet block in place of at least one mock-up stick of the plurality of mock-up sticks. Installing the magnet blocks includes pushing the magnet block along a selected slot formed by the displacement of at least one mock-up stick of the plurality of mock-up sticks.

Abstract: A high temperature oxide superconducting wire is provided which is capable of preventing metal located on the outer periphery of the superconducting wire from diffusing into a superconductor to achieve restriction of reduction in the critical current density. The high temperature oxide superconducting wire includes a high temperature oxide superconductor 1, a sheathing body 2 formed of material containing silver for coating the high temperature oxide superconductor 1, a heat-resistant oxide ceramic material 3 for coating the sheathing body 2, and a coating body 4 which is inactive relative to the heat-resistant oxide ceramic material 3 in a high temperature oxidative atmosphere.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of mixed metal acetate including one kind or more of element selected from lanthanide series and yttrium, barium and copper is mixed with trifluoroacetic acid to prepare a solution of mixed metal trifluoroacetate. From a solution of mixed metal trifluoroacetate obtained thus, purified mixed metal trifluoroacetate of which total content of water and acetic acid is 2% by weight or less is prepared. With purified mixed metal trifluoroacetate, an oxide superconductor of excellent performance may be prepared.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oxide superconducting wire, through which dimensional precision of width or thickness of the wire can be improved and an oxide superconducting wire with high superconducting performance can be obtained, is provided. The method of manufacturing the oxide superconducting wire includes preparing a composite by covering with metal powder containing an oxide superconductor or raw material for an oxide superconductor, and rolling the composite using a lubricant having kinematic viscosity of 20×10−6 mm2/s or smaller.

Abstract: A method for increasing the copper to superconductor ratio of a superconductor core wire by forming a copper-based strip about the core wire which at least partially encloses the core wire in contact therewith by deforming the strip longitudinally into a U shape nested about the wire; and soldering the wire and strip in the assembly of step (a) to form a strong mechanical, electrical and thermal bond therebetween.

Abstract: To improve the performance of superconducting cables, a composition method for obtaining a bar-like semifinished product by exclusively cold plastic deformation operations has been devised, and which includes the steps of: forming round-section, mono- or multifilament, superconducting copper bars of relatively long length; assembling the bars about a cylindrical copper core of substantially the same length, using assembly templates which open book-fashion and are fitted to and slide along an assembly bench, the templates having through holes arranged in a circle to support the bars, and a central through seat for supporting the core; tying the bars onto an outer lateral surface of the core; sliding onto one end of the assembly so formed a number of metal supporting rings resting on the assembly bench, while sliding the templates off the opposite end of the assembly; sliding a copper tube onto the assembly so formed, while at the same time cutting the ties in axial sequence and sliding off the supporting rings

Abstract: A method for bonding a plurality of magnetized blocks together includes providing at least two magnetized blocks, and bonding at least two magnetized blocks together using a door translatable in two orthogonal directions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention comprises a system for manufacturing a superconductive electrical conductor. A channel (140) is formed in a mold (130) that is formed from a ceramic material having a negative heat coefficient of expansion. A material (142) having a positive heat coefficient of expansion that develops superconductivity characteristics upon the application of heat is deposited in the channel. Heat is applied to the mold (130) with the material (142) that develops superconductivity characteristics deposited in the channel to develop the superconductivity characteristics in the deposited material. In a particular embodiment, the negative heat coefficient of expansion and said positive heat coefficient of expansion are complementary, such that change with heat in dimensions of the channel (140) formed in the mold (130) and change with heat in dimensions of the material (142) deposited in the channel (140) are substantially the same. In a more particular embodiment the channel forms a coil (22).

Abstract: A method for positioning permanent magnetic blocks includes providing a plurality of magnetized blocks, positioning the magnetized blocks on a yoke in a row by applying a mechanical force at a first end of the row with a first clamping member and at a second end of the row with a second clamping member, and repositioning the blocks by reducing the mechanical force at the first end by moving the first clamping member away from the first end, and moving the second clamping member toward the second end.

Abstract: Methods for reducing hysteresis losses in superconductor coated ribbons where a flux distribution is set into the superconductor coated ribbon prior to the application of alternating current.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention comprises a system for manufacturing a superconductive electrical conductor. A channel (140) is formed in a mold (130) that is formed from a ceramic material having a negative heat coefficient of expansion. A material (142) having a positive heat coefficient of expansion that develops superconductivity characteristics upon the application of heat is deposited in the channel. Heat is applied to the mold (130) with the material (142) that develops superconductivity characteristics deposited in the channel to develop the superconductivity characteristics in the deposited material. In a particular embodiment, the negative heat coefficient of expansion and said positive heat coefficient of expansion are complementary, such that change with heat in dimensions of the channel (140) formed in the mold (130) and change with heat in dimensions of the material (142) deposited in the channel (140) are substantially the same. In a more particular embodiment the channel forms a coil (22).

Abstract: Superconductor reactors, methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Thin films of conducting and superconducting materials are formed by a process which combines physical vapor deposition with chemical vapor deposition. Embodiments include forming boride films, such as magnesium diboride, in high purity with superconducting properties on substrates typically used in the semiconductor industry by physically generating magnesium vapor in a deposition chamber and introducing a boron containing precursor into the chamber which combines with the magnesium vapor to form a thin boride film on the substrate.

Abstract: An electrode is steeped in a solution of Mg and B and a negative voltage is applied to the electrode so as to precipitate superconductive MgB2 on the electrode. Superconductive MgB2 is easily manufactured in various forms and at low costs without any special device.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a Josephson device includes the steps of forming a first superconducting layer and forming a second superconducting layer to form a Josephson junction therebetween, wherein the step of forming the second superconducting layer includes the steps of conducting a first step of forming the second superconducting layer with improved uniformity and conducting a second step of forming the second superconducting layer on the second superconducting layer formed in the first step with improved film quality.

Abstract: The invention is intended to establish means for manufacturing MB2 single crystals and to provide a useful superconductive material (wire rod and so forth) taking advantage of anisotropic superconductive properties thereof. A mixed raw material of Mg and B or a precursor containing MgB2 crystallites, obtained by causing reaction of the mixed raw material of Mg and B, kept in contact with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), is held at a high temperature in the range of 1300 to 1700° C. and under a high pressure in the range of 3 to 6 GPa to cause reaction for forming an intermediate product, thereby growing the MB2 single crystals having anisotropic superconductive properties via the intermediate product.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to various methods of processing substrates based upon the substrate orientation. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a defective die pattern of a process tool based upon an orientation of a semiconducting substrate in the tool during processing operations, positioning at least one subsequently processed semiconducting substrate in the process tool at an orientation selected to minimize defective die produced by the process tool, the selected orientation being based upon the determined defective die pattern of the process tool, and performing processing operations in the process tool on at least one subsequently processed substrate while at least one substrate is positioned in the process tool at the selected orientation.

Abstract: A superconducting cable includes at least one layer of tapes of superconducting material circumferentially wound side by side on a support at a prefixed distance forming gaps circumferentially among adjacent tapes. Within the superconducting cable, a non-superconducting material is interposed between adjacent tapes to partially fill the gaps.

Abstract: Method of manufacture a wide bore, high field superconducting magnet. The superconducting magnet has a plurality of superconducting coils impregnated with epoxy and nested within each other. An innermost one of the nested coils has a bore therethrough that defines a bore width of the magnet. The bore width is greater than approximately 100 millimeters. The nested coils are electrically connected in series and cooled to an operating temperature less than approximately 4 degrees K. The magnet also has external reinforcements on the coils that are applied prior to impregnating the coils with epoxy. An active protection circuit protects the coils in response to a quench in the magnet. The protection circuit includes heater elements positioned in thermal contact with the coils prior to impregnating the coils with epoxy. The magnet further has lead supports for supporting the lead wires with epoxy that extend from the coils.

Abstract: A superconducting cable includes a cryogenic fluid, a superconducting conductor, and a cryostat. A layer impervious to the cryogenic fluid is provided between the superconducting conductor and the cryogenic fluid. The superconducting conductor operates in a space substantially free from fluids liquefying at a temperature greater than or equal to an operative temperature of the superconducting cable. A method for protecting a superconducting cable from formation of balloons includes isolating the superconducting conductor from the cryogenic fluid using a layer impervious to the cryogenic fluid and operating the superconducting conductor in a space substantially free from fluids liquefying at a temperature greater than or equal to an operative temperature of the superconducting cable. A current transmission/distribution network including at least one of the superconducting cables is also disclosed.

Abstract: A superconducting cable is manufactured by providing spacers 12 in a plurality of cores 2 at the time of stranding of the cores 2, and removing the spacers 12 before the stranded cores 2 are housed in a thermally insulated pipe and housing the cores into the thermally insulated pipe while the strands are held in a slacked state. By means of temporal interposition of the spacers, there is easily manufactured three cores having sufficient slack to manage thermal contraction which occurs when the cores are cooled in the thermally insulated pipe.