Abstract: Nano technologies are widely recognized as enabling enhanced and new functionality in a wide range of applications and products. Many different ways have been developed to create and apply these nanomaterials. One method for making dry nanocoatings is vapor deposition. There exists a need for a portable machine that can apply nanocoatings to a wide of range of surfaces in a wide range of locations. The present invention comprises such a portable machine that can apply nanocoatings to a wide of range of surfaces in a wide range of locations.

Abstract: The invention provides a superconductor comprising particles made of a superconductive material, and a conductive material. The conductive material is selected to be driven to a superconductive state when in proximity to the superconductive material, and preferably at least includes bismuth. An unbroken length of the conductive material is located sufficiently close to a plurality of the particles to be driven to a superconductive state by the superconductive material.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the improvement of the supercurrent carrying capabilities, i.e. the increase of critical current densities, of polycrystalline superconductor structures, especially of high-Tcsuperconductors. By modifying the microstructure of the substrate or by appropriately influencing the buffer layers in coated conductors to obtain grains with large aspect ratios which are predominantly oriented along the direction of the current flow, grain boundaries with large areas are obtained in the polycrystalline superconducting film that can support large critical currents along the superconductor. Thereby large critical currents are obtained in the superconductor for a given spread of misorientation angles of the grains.

Abstract: The invention provides a superconductor comprising particles made of a superconductive material, and a conductive material. The conductive material is selected to be driven to a superconductive state when in proximity to the superconductive material, and preferably at least includes gallium. An unbroken length of the conductive material is located sufficiently close to a plurality of the particles to be driven to a superconductive state by the superconductive material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is method for making a wire comprising contacting a first end of a first superconducting wire with a second end of a second superconducting wire, wherein the superconducting wire comprises a superconducting filament having a superconducting composition comprising magnesium diboride; heating the first end of the first superconducting wire with the second end of the second superconducting wire at a point to form a joint, wherein the superconducting filament having the superconducting composition is in continuous electrical contact with any other part of the superconducting filament after the formation of the joint.

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: The present invention concerns the improvement of the supercurrent carrying capabilities, i.e. the increase of critical current densities, of bicrystalline or polycrystalline superconductor structures, especially of high-Tc superconductors. By providing an appropriate predetermined dopant profile across the superconductor structure, in particular within or in the vicinity of the grain boundaries, the space-charge layers at the grain boundaries are reduced and thereby the current transport properties of the superconductor significantly improved. Simultaneously, the influence of magnetic fields on the critical current densities is significantly reduced, which in turn enhances the overall supercurrent carrying capabilities while keeping the supercurrent transport properties of the grains at good values.

Abstract: Superconducting phases comprising magnesium diboride related composites and methods of preparation.

Abstract: A simple and low-cost method for producing a thin film of ribbon-like oxide high-temperature (high-Tc) superconductor, which comprises placing a solid starting material for the oxide high-temperature superconductor on a substrate and heating it at a temperature in the vicinity of the melting point of the solid starting material under ambient pressure in an oxygen atmosphere.

Abstract: A rod 1 made of superconducting oxide is soaked in a molten normal conductor 2 to join the rod 1 and the normal conductor 2, whereby a superconducting oxide current lead is prepared. As a result, a contact resistance at the interface between the superconducting oxide and the normal conductor can be reduced. Consequently, Joule's heat at a current lead having a small cross sectional area can be suppressed low, which in turn realizes the reduction of the load on a freezer and the amount of evaporated cooling solvent, with respect to a superconducting coil.

Abstract: The present invention can provide an oxide superconductive film with a smooth surface and at homogeneous thickness on a simple substrate structure at a high film formation rate. In a liquid phase epitaxial growth method for producing an ReBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 Ox film (3) (Rerepresents one selected from lanthanoids such as Y and Nd, and X represents the oxygen amount) having a 123 type crystal structure from a molten liquid (1), a substrate (2) surface is inclined by 1 degree to 44 degrees with respect to the molten liquid surface at the time of separating the film from the molten liquid after film formation. After separating the film from the molten liquid, the substrate is rotated at 300 rpm to 3000 rpm for 5 seconds to 5 minutes. The film formation atmosphere contains 2 at. % of oxygen and 98 at. % of nitrogen, and the film formation temperature is 900 to 970.degree. C.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor comprises a base material consisting of a single crystalline oxide, an oxide superconductor film consisting of a Y123 compound and formed on the single crystalline oxide base material, and a coating film consisting essentially of a Ba--Cu--O oxide and covering the surface of the oxide superconductor film, the coating film having a thermal expansion coefficient higher than that of the oxide superconductor film.

Abstract: Superconducting articles and a method of forming them, where the superconducting phase of an article is Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.y (Bi-2212). Alumina is combined with Bi-2212 powder or Bi-2212 precursor powder and, in order to form an intimate mixture, the mixture is melted and rapidly cooled to form a glassy solid. The glassy solid is comminuted and the resulting powder is combined with a carrier. An alternative to melting is to form the mixture of nanophase alumina and material having a particle size of less than about 10 microns. The powder, with the carrier, is melt processed to form a superconducting article.

Abstract: A melt processing method for bulk or thick film fabrication of RE123 superconductor material includes the steps of using Nd in the RE123 to increase the recrystallization speed of the RE123, and using a heavy rare earth in the RE123 to establish the peritectic melting point of the RE123 somewhere below the melting point of silver. Within these requirements, the method essentially includes heating the RE123 above its peritectic melting point, and then cooling the resultant decomposed material to recrystallize the RE123. The heavy rare earths to be used for lowering the RE123 peritectic melting temperature include Lu, Yb, Tm or Er or mixtures thereof. The addition of RE211, silver and the use of a low oxygen partial pressure also contribute to a lowering of the melting point of the RE123. When using Nd to accelerate the processing time, the RE123 can include a first component of Nd.sub.1-z R.sub.z 123 and a second component of Nd.sub.1-y R.sub.y 211.

Abstract: A bulk high temperature superconductor single crystal having the formula MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Y, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, and Yb; and, x has a number value from about 0.1 to about 1.0; are produced by a novel process incorporating: i) starting powders produced by combustion spray pyrolysis, ii) a novel setter powder, and/or iii) a monitored isothermal growth process.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a textured layer of a high temperature superconductor on a substrate. The method involves providing an untextured high temperature superconductor material having a characteristic ambient pressure peritectic melting point, heating the superconductor to a temperature below the peritectic temperature, establishing a reduced pO.sub.2 atmosphere below ambient pressure causing reduction of the peritectic melting point to a reduced temperature which causes melting from an exposed surface of the superconductor and raising pressure of the reduced pO.sub.2 atmosphere to cause solidification of the molten superconductor in a textured surface layer.

Abstract: A method of producing ceramic superconducting materials such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x includes blending together starting materials for the superconducting material. The blend of starting materials are formed into a layer and sintered at a temperature above the peritectic temperature for the superconducting material. Prior to sintering, the starting materials for the superconducting material may be unreacted. The starting materials may also be partially reacted prior to sintering by calcining for a period of time at a temperature which does not result in full reaction of the starting materials to the chemical composition of the desired superconducting material.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabrication of superconducting oxides and superconducting oxide composites and for joining superconductors to other materials. A coating of a molten alloy containing the metallic elements of the oxide is applied to a substrate surface and oxidized to form the superconducting oxide. A material can be contacted to the molten alloy which is subsequently oxidized joining the material to the resulting superconducting oxide coating. Substrates of varied composition and shape can be coated or joined by this method.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing polycrystalline superconductor materials which utilizes a zdense and non-polluting 211 substrate which has been pre-sintered prior to melt processing with a 123 superconducting material. The resulting melt-processed material may be fabricated into a 123 superconductor having a single crystal size of up to 60 mm long which can carry very high current of up to about 1,500 A at 1 .mu.V/cm criterion.

Abstract: A tubular metal pipe and a solidified melt of a precursor of oxide superconducting material which is placed in contact with the metal pipe are subjected to heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere and at a temperature above the partial fusion temperature of the solidified melt to oxidize the metal pipe from its inside and outside and, as the oxidation proceeds, a melt of the solidified melt is effused through the tubular metal oxide layer to form a superconducting layer on its surface. This makes it possible to easily obtain a hollow oxide superconductor wherein a superconducting material layer is formed outside the metal oxide layer.

Abstract: A method of preparing a superconducting oxide by combining the metallic elements of the oxide to form an alloy, followed by oxidation of the alloy to form the oxide. Superconducting oxide-metal composites are prepared in which a noble metal phase intimately mixed with the oxide phase results in improved mechanical properties. The superconducting oxides and oxide-metal composites are provided in a variety of useful forms.

Abstract: Superconducting composite comprising a matrix made of superconducting sintered mass composed of perovskite type or quasi-perovskite type oxide and metal phase dispersed in the superconducting mass with a proportion of from 10 to 70 volume % with respect to said composite. The metal phase may consist of at least one of Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, Ni and Zn or their alloys. The superconducting sintered mass may be Ba-Y-Cu-O type compound oxide.

Abstract: A method of producing a high-temperature oxide superconducting material, which comprises the steps of (a) preparing a material corresponding to an oxide superconductor of the perovskite type structure consisting essentially of a first member selected from the group consisting yttrium, lanthanoids, thallium and bismuth; at least one alkaline earth metal; copper; and oxygen and (b) heating the material in the presence of an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of potassium, sodium, rubidium and cesium to a temperature around the melting point of the alkali metal or to a higher temperature for a time sufficient to effect grain growth in the superconductor material, thereby to produce the superconductor containing the alkali metal in an amount not larger than 4 mole % based on the first member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a single crystal of a superconductive oxide by a travelling solvent floating zone method (TSFZ Method). In this manufacturing method, a sintered feed rod of an oxide belonging to a tetragonal system, exhibiting anisotropic properties and superconductive properties and having a stoichiometric composition of the superconductive oxide is melted into a layer of a solvent mainly consisting of a oxidized copper and arranged in an infrared heating furnace under an oxygen pressure thereby growing a large single crystal of the superconductive oxide which is 5 mm or over in diameter and 40 mm or over in length.The superconductive oxide is one selected from the group consisting of La.sub.2-x A.sub.x CuO.sub.4 (A:Sr,Ba), Nd.sub.2-x Ce.sub.x CuO.sub.4, YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x, BiSrCaCu.sub.2 O.sub.x, Tl.sub.2 Ba.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.

Abstract: A substantially single phase, single crystalline, highly epitaxial film of Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8 superconductor which has a T.sub.c (zero resistance) of 83K is provided on a lattice-matched substrate with no intergrowth. This film is produced by a Liquid Phase Epitaxy method which includes the steps of forming a dilute supercooled molten solution of a single phase superconducting mixture of oxides of Bi, Ca, Sr, and Cu having an atomic ratio of about 2:1:2:2 in a nonreactive flux such as KCl, introducing the substrate, e.g., NdGaO.sub.3, into the molten solution at 850.degree. C., cooling the solution from 850.degree. C. to 830.degree. C. to grow the film and rapidly cooling the substrate to room temperature to maintain the desired single phase, single crystalline film structure.

Abstract: An article comprises an oriented thick film superconducting coating on a polycrystalline substrate. The coating includes at least two highly oriented platelet components ofBi.sub.a Sr.sub.b Ca.sub.c Cu.sub.d O.sub.x (BSCCO)wherein, in one component, a is 2, b is 2, c is 1, d is 2, and x is 8 and, in another component, a is 2, b is 2, c is 0, d is 1, and x is .apprxeq.6, oriented such that said BSCCO platelets are essentially parallel to said substrate. Suitable polycrystalline substrates are MgO and alumina and mullite.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when a superconductive thin film is formed on a substrate of a single crystal, a compound having a composition of SrNdGaO.sub.4 and a K.sub.2 NiF.sub.4 type crystal structure is used as a material employable for the substrate. Alternatively, a single crystal composed of an oxide in which Ca, La and Cr are added to the foregoing compound is used as a material employable for the substrate. Then, a superconductive thin film composed of an oxide is formed on the substrate by employing an epitaxial growing method. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to provide a superconductive material having an excellent property of lattice alignment, a stable and high critical superconductivity temperature and a stable critical superconductivity electric current.

Abstract: A substantially single phase, single crystalline, highly epitaxial film of Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8 superconductor which has a T.sub.c (zero resistance) of 83 K is provided on a lattice-matched substrate with no intergrowth. This film is produced by a Liquid Phase Epitaxy method which includes the steps of forming a dilute supercooled molten solution of a single phase superconducting mixture of oxides of Bi, Ca, Sr, and Cu having an atomic ratio of about 2:1:2:2 in a nonreactive flux such as KCl, introducing the substrate, e.g., NdGaO.sub.3, into the molten solution at 850.degree. C., cooling the solution from 850.degree. C. to 830.degree. C. to grow the film and rapidly cooling the substrate to room temperature to maintain the desired single phase, single crystalline film structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oxide superconductor comprising a composite oxide of RE , Ba and Cu, wherein the superconductor comprises a micro structure comprised of a monocrystalline REBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x phase (123 phase) and a RE.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 phase (211 phase) finely dispersed therein, the 123 phase being formed in a plurality of domains respectively for individual RE compositions and in the order of the 123 phase forming temperatures in respective layers.

Abstract: An elongated, flexible superconductive wire or strip is fabricated by pulling it through and out of a melt of metal oxide material at a rate conducive to forming a crystalline coating of superconductive metal oxide material on an elongated, flexible substrate wire or strip. A coating of crystalline superconductive material, such as Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.8, is annealed to effect conductive contact between adjacent crystalline structures in the coating material, which is then cooled to room temperature. The container for the melt can accommodate continuous passage of the substrate through the melt. Also, a second pass-through container can be used to simultaneously anneal and overcoat the superconductive coating with a hot metallic material, such as silver or silver alloy. A hollow, elongated tube casting method of forming an elongated, flexible superconductive wire includes drawing the melt by differential pressure into a heated tubular substrate.

Abstract: A new process for more easily making a superconducting matrix of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x with fine and homogeneously dispersed Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 inclusions smaller than one micron compacts powders of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x and Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 into samples which are first sintered for improved mechanical stability and then placed into contact with each other. The samples are placed into a furnace above the peritectic temperature of the YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x and held at that temperature for less than about fifteen minutes so that the YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x begins to melt and be absorbed by capillary action into the Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 sample. The combined sample is cooled to a temperature below the peritectic temperature by a variety of alternative cooling cycles where it is transformed by a reaction into a superconducting matrix of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x with fine and homogeneously dispersed Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5. BaCuO.sub.2 +CuO may be substituted for the YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.