Coating Patents (Class 505/470)
  • Publication number: 20110237441
    Abstract: A method is proposed for producing a biaxially textured metal substrate having a metal surface, wherein the substrate is modified in order to produce a high-temperature superconductor coating arrangement and wherein the metal surface is modified in order to deposit a buffer layer or another intermediate layer epitaxially thereon and/or to deposit an oriented high-temperature superconductor (HTS) layer thereon. The method includes producing a biaxially textured metal substrate, subjecting the metal substrate surface to a polishing treatment, in particular an electropolishing treatment, and subjecting the metal substrate to a post-annealing after the surface polishing treatment and before a subsequent coating is performed involving epitaxial deposition of a layer of the HTS coating arrangement. This method results in smooth metal substrates with high textural overcoats and thereby improved HTS layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ZENERGY POWER GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Baecker, Martina Falter, Jan Kunert
  • Patent number: 8026197
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing superconducting tape through an integrated process, including the steps of: heat-treating a substrate wound on a drum in a reaction chamber; continuously depositing components, constituting a buffer layer, a superconducting layer, a contact resistance layer, and a protective layer of the superconducting tape, which are supplied from a deposition chamber, on the substrate; and heat-treating the substrate deposited with the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ho Seop Kim, Sang Soo Oh, Hong Soo Ha, Kyu Jung Song, Dong Woo Ha, Rock Kil Ko
  • Patent number: 8022012
    Abstract: A device for fabricating thin films on a substrate includes a vacuum chamber, a rotatable platen configured to hold one or more substrates within the vacuum chamber, and a housing disposed within the vacuum chamber. The housing contains a heating element and is configured to enclose an upper surface of the platen and a lower portion configured to partially enclose an underside surface of the platen which forms a reaction zone. A heated evaporation cell is operatively coupled to the lower portion of the housing and configured to deliver a pressurized metallic reactant to the reaction zone. The device includes a deposition zone disposed in the vacuum chamber and isolated from the reaction zone and is configured to deposit a deposition species to the exposed underside of the substrates when the substrates are not contained in the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Superconductor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian H. Moeckly, Ward S. Ruby
  • Patent number: 8012601
    Abstract: In a cold gas spraying method, a gas jet (15) into which particles (19) are introduced is generated with the aid of a cold gas spray gun (20). The kinetic energy of the particles (19) results in a layer being formed on a substrate (13). The substrate is provided with a structured texture (24) which is transferred to the layer (20) that is formed. The method makes it advantageously possible to produce a high-temperature superconducting layer on the substrate (13) by selecting an appropriate particle (19) composition. The process can be additionally supported using a heating device (25) in a subsequent thermal treatment step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ursus Kruger, Raymond Ullrich
  • Patent number: 7981840
    Abstract: A well-crystallized a-axis (or b-axis) oriented Bi-based oxide superconductor thin film is manufactured in order to obtain a high performance layered Josephson junction using a Bi-based oxide superconductor. In manufacturing a well-crystallized a-axis oriented Bi-based oxide superconductor thin film, a (110) plane of a single crystal substrate of LaSrAlO4 or a vicinal cut substrate of a single crystal of LaSrAlO4 is used, on which an a-axis oriented Bi-2223 or Bi-2201 thin film is heteroepitaxially grown at a low film forming temperature T1, then homoepitaxially grown on the grown film at a high film forming temperature T2 (double temperature growth method). Although it is difficult to grow an a-axis oriented film directly on a substrate at a high temperature T2, an a-axis oriented Bi-2223 or Bi-2201 thin film is formed on the base by previously forming the base film at low deposition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Endo
  • Publication number: 20110172103
    Abstract: An oxide superconductor film formed on a substrate includes an oxide containing at least one metal M selected from the group consisting of yttrium and lanthanoid metals, provided that cerium, praseodymium, promethium and ruthenium are excluded, and barium and copper, in which the film has an average thickness of 350 nm or more, an average amount of residual carbon of 3×1019 atoms/cc or more, and an amount of residual fluorine in a range of 5×1017 to 1×1019 atoms/cc, and in which, when divided the film into a plurality of regions from a surface of the film or from an interface between the film and the substrate, each region having a thickness of 10 nm, atomic ratios of copper, fluorine, oxygen and carbon between two adjacent regions are in a range of ? times to 5 times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Takeshi Araki
  • Patent number: 7964532
    Abstract: An RE123-based oxide superconductor characterized by comprising a conductive layer containing an REBa2Cu3O7-?-based oxide superconductor formed using a mixed material of at least RE2BaO4 and a Bax—Cuy—Oz-based material and a holding member which holds said conductive layer, where, RE is one type or more of elements selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: International Superconductivity Technology Center, The Juridical Foundation
    Inventors: Shoji Tanaka, Naomichi Sakai, Takato Machi, Muralidhar Miryala
  • Publication number: 20110136670
    Abstract: Compositions are disclosed of a matrix of a high temperature superconductive oxide such as YBCO, with non-superconductive particles distributed in the matrix. The non-superconductive particles comprise at least one rare earth element (RE) and at least one of tantalum (Ta) and niobium (Nb). Of particular interest are non-superconductive particles of composition RE-Ta3O7 (RTO), where RE is Yb, Er, Gd or Sm, disposed in a YBCO superconductive matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE ENTERPRISE LIMITED
    Inventors: Sophie-Ann Harrington, Judith Macmanus-Driscoll
  • Publication number: 20110082041
    Abstract: In some implementations of the invention, existing high temperature superconducting materials (“HTS materials”) may be modified and/or new HTS materials may be created by enhancing (in the case of existing HTS materials) and/or creating (in the case of new HTS materials) an aperture within the HTS material such that the aperture is maintained at increased temperatures so as not to impede propagation of electrical charge there through. In some implementations of the invention, as long as the propagation of electrical charge through the aperture remains unimpeded, the material should remain in a superconducting state; otherwise, as the propagation of electrical charge through the aperture becomes impeded, the HTS material begins to transition into a non-superconducting state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas J. GILBERT
  • Publication number: 20110082044
    Abstract: Operational characteristics of an high temperature superconducting (“HTS”) film comprised of an HTS material may be improved by depositing a modifying material onto appropriate surfaces of the HTS film to create a modified HTS film. In some implementations of the invention, the HTS film may be in the form of a “c-film.” In some implementations of the invention, the HTS film may be in the form of an “a-b film,” an “a-film” or a “b-film.” The modified HTS film has improved operational characteristics over the HTS film alone or without the modifying material. Such operational characteristics may include operating in a superconducting state at increased temperatures, carrying additional electrical charge, operating with improved magnetic properties, operating with improved mechanic properties or other improved operational characteristics. In some implementations of the invention, the HTS material is a mixed-valence copper-oxide perovskite, such as, but not limited to YBCO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas J. GILBERT, Timothy S. Cale
  • Publication number: 20110082045
    Abstract: In some implementations of the invention, existing extremely low resistance materials (“ELR materials”) may be modified and/or new ELR materials may be created by enhancing (in the case of existing ELR materials) and/or creating (in the case of new ELR materials) an aperture within the ELR material such that the aperture is maintained at increased temperatures so as not to impede propagation of electrical charge there through. In some implementations of the invention, as long as the propagation of electrical charge through the aperture remains unimpeded, the material should remain in an ELR state; otherwise, as the propagation of electrical charge through the aperture becomes impeded, the ELR material begins to transition into a non-ELR state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas J. GILBERT
  • Publication number: 20110082042
    Abstract: Operational characteristics of an extremely low resistance (“ELR”) film comprised of an ELR material may be improved by depositing a modifying material onto appropriate surfaces of the ELR film to create a modified ELR film. In some implementations of the invention, the ELR film may be in the form of a “c-film.” In some implementations of the invention, the ELR film may be in the form of an “a-b film,” an “a-film” or a “b-film.” The modified ELR film has improved operational characteristics over the ELR film alone or without the modifying material. Such operational characteristics may include operating in an ELR state at increased temperatures, carrying additional electrical charge, operating with improved magnetic properties, operating with improved mechanic properties or other improved operational characteristics. In some implementations of the invention, the ELR material is a mixed-valence copper-oxide perovskite, such as, but not limited to YBCO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas J. GILBERT, Timothy S. Cale
  • Patent number: 7919435
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a defect-containing superconducting film, the method comprising (a) depositing a phase-separable layer epitaxially onto a biaxially-textured substrate, wherein the phase-separable layer includes at least two phase-separable components; (b) achieving nanoscale phase separation of the phase-separable layer such that a phase-separated layer including at least two phase-separated components is produced; and (c) depositing a superconducting film epitaxially onto said phase-separated components of the phase-separated layer such that nanoscale features of the phase-separated layer are propagated into the superconducting film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventor: Amit Goyal
  • Publication number: 20110045986
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Cornelis Leo Hans Thieme
  • Publication number: 20110045984
    Abstract: A composition of matter including a thin film of a high temperature superconductive oxide having particles randomly dispersed therein, the particles of an yttrium-barium-ruthenium oxide or of an yttrium-barium-niobium oxide is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Terry G. Holesinger, David M. Feldmann
  • Patent number: 7893006
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a method of making a superconductor wire includes providing an oxide superconductor layer overlaying a substrate; forming a substantially continuous barrier layer over the oxide superconductor layer, the barrier layer including metal; depositing a layer of metal particles over the barrier layer, said depositing including applying a liquid including metal particles over the barrier layer; and sintering the layer of metal particles to form a substantially continuous metal layer over the barrier layer. In one or more embodiments, the oxide superconductor layer is oxygen-deficient, and the method may include oxidizing the oxygen-deficient oxide superconductor layer. At least a portion of the sintering and the oxidizing may occur simultaneously, for example by performing them at an oxygen partial pressure and a temperature sufficient to both sinter the metal particles and to oxidize the oxygen-deficient oxide superconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Yibing Huang, Thomas Kodenkandath, Joseph Lynch, Martin W. Rupich, Wei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110034338
    Abstract: A superconducting article includes a substrate having a biaxially textured surface, and an epitaxial biaxially textured superconducting film supported by the substrate. The epitaxial superconducting film includes particles of Ba2RETaO6 and is characterized by a critical current density higher than 1 MA/cm2 at 77K, self-field. In one embodiment the particles are assembled into columns. The particles and nanocolumns of Ba2RETaO6 defects enhance flux pinning which results in improved critical current densities of the superconducting films. Methods of making superconducting films with Ba2RETaO6 defects are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Amit Goyal, Claudia Cantoni, Eliot Specht, Sung-Hun Wee
  • Publication number: 20110034336
    Abstract: A superconducting article includes a substrate having a biaxially textured surface, and an epitaxial biaxially textured superconducting film supported by the substrate. The epitaxial superconducting film includes particles of Ba2RENbO6 and is characterized by a critical current density higher than 1 MA/cm2 at 77K, self-field. In one embodiment the particles are assembled into columns. The particles and nanocolumns of Ba2RENbO6 defects enhance flux pinning which results in improved critical current densities of the superconducting films. Methods of making superconducting films with Ba2RENbO6 defects are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Amit Goyal, Sung-Hun Wee, Eliot Specht, Claudia Cantoni
  • Patent number: 7884050
    Abstract: A band-shaped high-temperature superconductor (HTSL) with high critical current density can be produced economically in a wet-chemical process. In the process, a first precursor solution is applied to a carrier, dried, and annealed. Additional precursor solutions may then be applied, with the first precursor solution contain little or no pinning centers, and any subsequent precursor solutions contains a higher concentration of pinning centers than the first precursor solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Zenergy Power GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Bäcker
  • Publication number: 20110028328
    Abstract: A superconducting article comprises a substrate, a buffer layer overlying the substrate, and a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) layer overlying the buffer layer. The HTS layer includes a plurality of nanorods. A method of forming a superconducting article comprises providing a substrate, depositing a buffer layer overlying the substrate; forming a nanodot array overlying the buffer layer; depositing an array of nanorods nucleated on the nanodot array; and depositing a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) layer around the array of nanorods and overlying the buffer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Venkat SELVAMANICKAM, Goran MAJKIC, Maxim MARTCHEVSKII
  • Publication number: 20110015079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a precursor solution for metal organic deposition and a method of forming a superconducting thick film using the same. A first precursor comprising one rare earth element, a second precursor comprising barium, and a third precursor comprising copper are dissolved into acid to form a compound solution, the compound solution is dissolved into solvent to form a pre-precursor solution, and the solvent of the pre-precursor solution is evaporated to form a precursor solution with the increased viscosity. A sufficiently thick film can be formed without any cracking through only one-time coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicants: Seoul National University Industry Foundation, SUNAM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Im YOO, Seung-Hyun Moon, Geo-Myung Shin
  • Patent number: 7871663
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the flux pinning of a YBCO superconductor by substituting minute quantities of rare earth elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) or other deleterious elements (Sc, etc.) for Y in YBCO thin films is described. The method of the present invention enables enhanced flux pinning of the material while not significantly increasing the cost of the HIS material and can be used in all HTS deposition methods since it is not process dependent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Paul N. Barnes, Joseph W. Kell, Timothy J. Haugan
  • Publication number: 20110009273
    Abstract: A method of production of a RE123-based oxide superconductor, said method of production of a RE123-based oxide superconductor characterized by comprising (i) firing a pulse laser at an oxide-based target including RE, Ba, and Cu satisfying the following formulas (1) and (2) to form a plume and (ii) holding a substrate in that plume to form an RE123-based oxide superconducting film: 0.8?2RE/Ba<1.0 ??(1) 0.8?3Ba/2Cu<1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Sergey Lee, Koichi Nakao, Noriko Chikumoto
  • Publication number: 20100304977
    Abstract: Methods for forming sensors using transition edge sensors (TES) and sensors therefrom are described. The method includes forming a plurality of sensor arrays includes at least one TES device. The TES device includes a TES device body, a first superconducting lead contacting a first portion of the TES device body, and a second superconducting lead contacting of a second portion of the TES device body, where the first and second superconducting leads separated on the TES device body by a lead spacing. The lead spacing can be selected to be different for at least two of the plurality of sensor arrays. The method also includes determining a transition temperature for each of the plurality of sensor arrays and generating a signal responsive to detecting a change in the electrical characteristics of one of the plurality of sensor arrays meeting a transition temperature criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: JOHN E. SADLEIR
  • Patent number: 7843292
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coil for producing a magnetic field having at least one winding (12), which is manufactured from a superconductor, is cast into a plastic and whose winding end (19) which is arranged at the circumference (13) of the winding (12) is used for making contact with an electrical conductor (15). In order to provide coils with windings (12) consisting of superconductors which make robust contact-making possible given simple production, an electrically conductive connection piece (30) with a base region (31), which is connected to the winding end (19), and a top region (32) for connecting the conductor (15) is provided for contact-making purposes, the base region (31) of said connection piece (30) being covered partially in the radial direction by a reinforcing insert (14), which is cast into the plastic (20) and at least partially surrounds the winding (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Zenergy Power GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Remke, Thomas Braun, Jan Wiezoreck
  • Publication number: 20100298150
    Abstract: Described is an article including a sapphire substrate carrying a superconductive layer of a compound of the formula YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO), the layer having surface area of at least 10 cm2, and critical current of at least 100 A/cm width at a temperature of 77K or higher. In one exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the superconductive layer is between 10 nm and 50 nm. In another exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the superconductive layer is more than 600 nm. In preferred embodiment, an YSZ layer and a non-superconductive YBCO layer separate between the superconductive layer and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Guy Deutscher, Mishael Azoulay, Boaz Almog
  • Publication number: 20100285969
    Abstract: Intermodulation distortion (IMD) is known to be an impediment to progress in superconductor-based filter technology. The present invention's methodology for reducing IMD can open doors to heretofore unseen practical applications involving high temperature superconductor (HTS) filters. Typical inventive practice includes (a) increasing the thickness d, and/or (b) changing the operation temperature T, of the filter's HTS film. The film's thickness d is increased in such a way as to decrease the IMD power PIMD in accordance with the material-independent proportionate relationship PIMD?1/d1.5-6. The film's operation temperature T is bettered or optimized in accordance with the material-independent proportionate relationship PIMD?(?O(T))10(K(2)(T))2/(?O(T))6, and further in accordance with three individual material-dependent relationships, namely, between operation temperature T and each of linear penetration depth ?O, gap maximum ?O, and kernel K(2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Yehoshua Dan Agassi, Daniel E. Oates
  • Publication number: 20100267568
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a superconducting film having a substrate and a superconductor layer formed on the substrate, in which nano grooves are formed parallel to a current flowing direction on a substrate surface on which the superconductor layer is formed and two-dimensional crystal defects are introduced in the superconductor layer on the nano grooves, and a method of manufacturing this superconducting film. A superconducting film of the invention, which is obtained at low cost and has very high Jc, is useful in applications such as cables, magnets, shields, current limiters, microwave devices, and semifinished products of these articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Kaname Matsumoto, Masashi Mukaida, Yutaka Yoshida, Ataru Ichinose, Shigeru Horii
  • Patent number: 7792560
    Abstract: Disclosed is a three layer process for making contact points to a high transition temperature superconductor (HTSC), particularly to (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3O19+x with and without silver in the superconductor. The contact structure is a three layer configuration with a perforated silver foil (3) sandwiched between two metal spray gun deposited silver layers (2,5) and subsequent heat treatment in air. The contact has been made on tubes and rods (1). The silver contacts are capable of carrying a continuous current of 200 Amps without adding any substantial heat load to the cryogen used to cool the HTSC. The contact resistance at 4.2 K is in the range of 1.5×10 (hoch?8) to 8.5? 10 (hoch?8)OHM in zero applied filed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Shrikant Ekbote, Gursharan Kaur Padam, Narendra Kumar Arora, Mukul Sharma, Ramesh Sethi, Mrinal Kanti Banerjee
  • Patent number: 7763569
    Abstract: A wet-chemical method for producing strip-shaped high-temperature superconductors with a substrate, optionally with a buffer layer and with a high-temperature superconductive layer is improved by increasing the texturing and the layer thickness of the high-temperature superconductive layer. To this end, precursor solutions are applied in layers to the substrate, of which the first is low in fluorine or does not contain fluorine, and the following have a fluorine concentration that increases with each layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Zenergy Power GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bäcker, Brigitte Schlobach, Kerstin Knoth, Barbara Schüpp-Niewa, Bernhard Holzapfel, Martina Falter
  • Publication number: 20100173785
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the wet chemical production of an HTSL on a carrier, wherein an HTSL precursor solution comprising no trifluoroacetate may be utilized if the same is heated to a temperature Ts during the heat treatment of the HTSL precursor, wherein the remaining substances of the HTSL precursor solution form at least a partial melt, which is below the temperature at which RE2BaCuOx is formed, and which is deposited from the liquid phase while forming a peritectic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: ZENERGY POWER GMBH
    Inventors: Isabel van Driessche, Pieter Vermeir, Serge Hoste, Michael Baecker
  • Patent number: 7749557
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a superconducting wire includes the step of drawing a wire formed by coating raw material powder for a superconductor with a metal or a wire with a multifilamentary structure, the step of sealing an end portion of a clad wire or a multifilamentary wire after the step of drawing, and the step of first rolling, rolling the multifilamentary wire after the step of sealing. With this method, a superconducting wire having high and uniform performance can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Fujikami, Takeshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7737087
    Abstract: A process and composition of matter are provided and involve flux pinning in thin films of high temperature superconductive oxides such as YBCO by inclusion of particles including barium and a group 4 or group 5 metal, such as zirconium, in the thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Judith L. Driscoll, Stephen R. Foltyn
  • Publication number: 20100144536
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanostructured superconducting material of type REBa2Cu3O7, where RE=Rare Earth or yttrium, comprising two phases, a principal matrix of REBa2Cu3O7 and a secondary phase of BaZrO3, CeO2, BaSnO3, BaCeO3, SrRuO3, La1-xMxMnO3 (M=Ca, Sr, Ba), RE2O3 and/or RE2Cu2O5. The secondary phase is distributed at random within the matrix in such a way that it provides a high density of nanometric defects, thereby increasing the capacity for effectively anchoring the vortices. Another subject of the invention is the procedure through which these superconducting materials are produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Xavier Obradors Berenguer, Teresa Puig Molina, Susana Ricart Miro, Alberto Pomar Barbeito, Felip Sandiumenge Ortiz, Narcis Mestres Andreu, Anna Llordes Gil, Marta Gibert Gutierrez, Jofre Gutierrez Royo, Jaume Gazquez Alabart, Neus Roma Buyreu
  • Patent number: 7727579
    Abstract: The formation of band-shaped HTSL on a metal substrate is disclosed. The HTSL includes at least one buffer layer comprising zirconates and/or rare-earth oxides. The HTSL layer is formed on the buffer layer. The buffer layer has a texturing that in the case of a RHEED measurement results in discrete reflexes and not only in diffraction rings. In particular, the buffer layer may be textured along its interface with the HTSL layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Zenergy Power GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Backer, Brigitte Schlobach, Kerstin Knoth, Barbara Schupp-Niewa, Ruben Huhne, Martina Falter
  • Publication number: 20100113280
    Abstract: Porous ceramic superconductors having a film thickness over 0.5 microns are provided. The superconducting material is applied to a vicinal substrate and optionally nanoparticles are inserted to release local strain. The resultant superconductors exhibit improved Jc values compared to nonvicinal (flat) counterparts and those having no nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Judy Wu, Rose Emergo, Timothy Haugan, Paul Barnes
  • Publication number: 20100112192
    Abstract: A method for producing a thick film includes disposing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film. The precursor solution contains precursor components to a rare-earth/alkaline-earth-metal/transition-metal oxide including a salt of a rare earth element, a salt of an alkaline earth metal, and a salt of a transition metal in one or more solvents, wherein at least one of the salts is a fluoride-containing salt, and wherein the ratio of the transition metal to the alkaline earth metal is greater than 1.5. The precursor solution is treated to form a rare earth-alkaline earth-metal transition metal oxide superconductor film having a thickness greater than 0.8 ?m. precursor solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: American Superconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Xiaoping Li, Thomas Kodenkandath, Edward J. Siegal, Wei Zhang, Martin W. Rupich, Yibing Huang
  • Publication number: 20100093545
    Abstract: 100-800 nm ReBCO films with critical current density (Jc) values in excess of 1 MA/cm2 were fabricated from aqueous nitrate precursor solutions with additives. Additives such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and sucrose were selected to suppress crystallization of barium nitrate. This produces higher concentration solutions resulting in thicker crack-free single layers. Additional water-soluble viscosity modifiers, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or cellulose-derivatives, were used to increase thickness and allow wetting of ceramic surfaces. Water vapor present at higher temperatures during heat-treatment damaged the films, while the role of water vapor at lower temperatures is still under investigation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Michael J. Cima, Masateru Yoshizumi, Daniel E. Wesolowski, Yoda R. Patta
  • Publication number: 20100081574
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a defect-containing superconducting film, the method comprising (a) depositing a phase-separable layer epitaxially onto a biaxially-textured substrate, wherein the phase-separable layer includes at least two phase-separable components; (b) achieving nanoscale phase separation of the phase-separable layer such that a phase-separated layer including at least two phase-separated components is produced; and (c) depositing a superconducting film epitaxially onto said phase-separated components of the phase-separated layer such that nanoscale features of the phase-separated layer are propagated into the superconducting film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventor: Amit Goyal
  • Publication number: 20100048406
    Abstract: A method for producing a thin film includes disposing a precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film. The precursor solution contains precursor components to a rare-earth/alkaline-earth-metal/transition-metal oxide including a salt of a rare earth element, a salt of an alkaline earth metal, and a salt of a transition metal in one or more solvents, wherein at least one of the salts is a fluoride-containing salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin W. RUPICH, Thomas KODENKANDATH, Wei ZHANG, Xiaoping LI
  • Patent number: 7662749
    Abstract: On a first intermediate layer provided on a substrate and having an excellent surface smoothness, are formed a second intermediate layer and an YBCO superconductor layer having excellent properties. An YBCO superconductor (10) having a critical current density (Jc) of 1 MA/cm2 or higher can be produced by forming a first intermediate layer (2), a second intermediate layer (3), an YBCO superconductor layer (4) and an Ag-stabilized layer (5) on the surface of a tape-shaped biaxially oriented Ni—W alloy substrate (1), wherein the first intermediate layer (2) has a thickness of 5 nm or less, has a surface smoothness, comprises A2Zr2O7, and is formed by repeating coating and provisional burning several times by the MOD method, the second intermediate layer (3) comprises a CeO2 film and is formed by the pulse plating method, the YBCO superconductor layer (4) is formed by the MOD method, and the Ag-stabilized layer (5) is formed on the YBCO superconductor layer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center, the Juridical Foundation, SWCC Showa Cable Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayo Hasegawa, Yasuo Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20100022397
    Abstract: The present invention provides articles including a base substrate including a layer of an oriented cubic oxide material having a rock-salt-like structure layer thereon; and, a buffer layer upon the oriented cubic oxide material having a rock-salt-like structure layer, the buffer layer having an outwardly facing surface with a surface morphology including particulate outgrowths of from 10 nm to 500 run in size at the surface, such particulate outgrowths serving as flux pinning centers whereby the article maintains higher performance within magnetic fields than similar articles without the necessary density of such outgrowths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Haiyan Wang, Stephen R. Foltyn, Boris A. Maiorov, Leonardo Civale
  • Publication number: 20100009855
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for joining oxide-superconducting tubes with a superconducting joint. The process involves the preparation of a partially preformed superconducting material, followed by cold isopressing of the powder of partially performed superconducting material into tube shape and further provided with grooves at both ends of the tubes with a subsequent deposition of a silver layer. The process further involves the lapping of one of the end faces of a pair of said tubes to be joined. These lapped end faces of both the tubes clubbed together on a common silver bush are coated with a paste of the same partially preformed superconducting material in organic formulation. Then these coated end faces are closed pressed together to form a joint. This joint portion and the end portions of the tubes are wrapped with a perforated silver foil followed by deposition of another layer of silver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Shrikant Narayan Ekbote, Gursharan Kaur Padam, Narendra Kumar Arora, Mukul Sharma, Ramesh Sethi
  • Publication number: 20090312186
    Abstract: Superconducting rf is limited by a wide range of failure mechanisms inherent in the typical manufacture methods. This invention provides a method for fabricating superconducting rf structures comprising coating the structures with single atomic-layer thick films of alternating chemical composition. Also provided is a cavity defining the invented laminate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: James H. Norem, Michael J. Pellin
  • Patent number: 7632784
    Abstract: A sintered high temperature superconducting (HTS) ceramic electric lead formed as three-dimensional (3D) HTS macro-ceramic solid product with honeycomb-like superconductive nano-architecture comprises substantially uniformly aligned nano-size HTS ceramic crystal grains, silicate glass nano-thick films, and nano-size silver and/or inorganic dots that locate in nano-thick boundary areas of the superconductor ceramic crystal grains, and the nano-size films or dots provide honeycomb-like 3D nano-size network within the 3D HTS macro-ceramic solid product or HTS ceramic lead, and the electric lead is superconducting at liquid nitrogen cooling temperature. The superconductive nano-architecture facilitates or controls substantially higher electro-magnetic and consumable mechanical properties, reliability and durability of the HTS ceramic electric leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventors: Anatoly E. Rokhvarger, Lubov A. Chigirinsky
  • Publication number: 20090298698
    Abstract: A high-temperature superconductor layer arrangement includes at least one substrate and a textured buffer layer made of oxidic material that permits textured growth of a high-temperature superconductor. Surprisingly, a layer of the buffer material made of a rare-earth element cerium oxide containing lanthanum as the rare-earth element may be used to produce a homogeneous buffer layer in just one coating operation, where appropriate. The buffer layer material may be a rare-earth oxide of the general formula: Ln?2?xLn?xCe?2?yM?yO7±z, wherein 0?x, y, z?1, in which Ln? and Ln? each represents a rare-earth element, independently of each other, and M? represents a trivalent or tetravalent or pentavalent metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: ZENERGY POWER GMBH
    Inventors: Michael BACKER, Oliver BRUNKAHL
  • Patent number: 7625843
    Abstract: There is provided a method of fabricating a precursor solution for a metal organic deposition method using a superconducting oxide as a starting material, wherein the method includes dispersing a superconducting material powder in a TFA acid aqueous solution, heating to dissolve the powder in the TFA solution, increasing a temperature of a hot substrate if the powder is completely dissolved and the solution is clear, continuously heating until the solution is vaporized and is in a viscous jelly state, stopping heating if the solution loses its flowing property completely, cooling the solution, and dissolving the compound in the jelly state, hardened at a room temperature, into an organic solvent to provide a metal organic deposition solution for coating. There is also provided a method of fabricating a thin film-type superconductor using a metal organic deposition method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Gye-Won Hong, Hee-Gyon Lee, Sang-Im Yoo, Jai-Moo Yoo
  • Publication number: 20090291851
    Abstract: A device for coating at least one substrate or for producing at least one molding by means of at least one cold gas spraying pistol, wherein the cold gas spraying pistol and the substrate or molding to be coated are arranged in a vacuum chamber, and also a method for cold gas spraying relating thereto in such a manner that while eliminating the wire production, the coil winding and also the cast in procedure, a thoroughly compact coil without a degree of freedom of movement (elimination of the quench risk) can be produced, it is suggested that the particles have at least to some extent an electrically conducting, in particular superconducting, property and at least to some extent an electrically poorly conducting or electrically insulating property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Matthias BOHN
  • Patent number: 7622426
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing a crystalline end-product. The method comprising exposing a fluoride-containing precursor to a hydrogen fluoride absorber under conditions suitable for the conversion of the precursor into the crystalline end-product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Solovyov, Harold Wiesmann
  • Publication number: 20090270263
    Abstract: This invention provides a production process of a tape-shaped superconductor which can realize high Jc and Ic values by virtue of the elimination of the cause of generation of cracks and deterioration of an electrical connectivity in crystal grain boundaries. In producing an Re-base (123) superconductor on a substrate by an MAD process, the use of a raw material solution having a Re:Ba:Cu molar ratio of 1:X:3, wherein X is a Ba molar ratio satisfying X<2 (preferably 1.0?X?1.8, especially 1.3?x?1.7), can realize the production of a thick-film tape-shaped superconductor having a superconductivity of Jc=3.20 MA/cm2 and Ic=525 A/cm (X=1.5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicants: INTERNATIONAL SUPERCONDUCTIVITY TECHNOLOGY CENTER, THE JURIDICAL FOUNDATION, SWCC SHOWA CABLE SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Aoki, Koichi Nakaoka, Junko Matsuda, Masateru Yoshizumi, Teruo Izumi, Yuh Shiohara