Abstract: A process for preparing a shaped substrate suitable in the production of coated conductors which process allows the deformation of a textured substrate onto which a textured buffer layer has been already grown.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a high-temperature superconducting conductor includes providing an elongate substrate to a reactor, the reactor having a longitudinal flow distributor. The longitudinal flow distributor has an entrance, a plurality of exits, and an interior distribution member provided between the entrance and the plurality of exits. The method further includes heating at least a portion of the substrate to a temperature sufficient to facilitate the formation of one of a superconducting material and a predecessor to a superconducting material. Further, the method includes flowing at least one precursor into the longitudinal flow distributor, through the entrance thereof, past an internal distribution member, and out through a plurality of exits, thereby longitudinally distributing the at least one precursor to form the superconducting material or predecessor thereof on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-throughput system for the ex-situ formation of a superconducting thin film, such as rare-earth-barium-copper-oxide (REBCO), atop a continuous length of buffered metal substrate tape by heating a buffered metal substrate tape coated with precursors of REBCO These precursors, when heated and introduced to water vapor within a process chamber, decompose to form a functional superconducting thin film epitaxial to the buffer layer. A chamber such as a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) reactor having showerhead and substrate heater assemblies designed for the creation of a long and wide deposition zone is well suited for use in the process the system. The chamber could be of cold-wall type where the walls are not heated or could of hot-wall type where the walls are heated.

Abstract: Bond wires for integrated circuits are implemented using a variety of methods. Using one such method, a composite bond wire is produced for use in an integrated circuit. A conductive material is melted and mixed with a material of particles less than 100 micrometers in size to create a mixture. The mixture is used to create the composite bond wire. A composite wire having an inner core and an outer layer having a higher conductivity than the inner core is also provided. The outer layer is designed to be thicker than the skin depth at the operating frequency for carrying AC signals.

Abstract: A method for forming a superconducting wire with a tape substrate comprises dispensing the tape substrate, providing at least one reactor chamber to form at least one buffer material on the tape substrate based on determining at least one of a type of tape substrate, a type of superconductor material, and a type of buffer material, providing another reactor chamber to continuously form a layer of the superconductor material on a layer of the buffer material, and spooling the tape substrate with the layer of superconductor material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tape-formed oxide superconductor, in which a tape-formed wire material (6 in FIG. 1) is extended between a pair of reels (5a and 5b). Besides, a reactive gas is supplied form the gas supply ports of a reactive gas supply pipe (3a) vertically to the upper side film surface of the tape-formed wire material (6), so as to react the film body of this tape-formed wire material into a superconducting layer, while at the same time, a gas after the reaction is discharged from the gas discharge ports of discharge pipes (4a and 4b) for discharging the gas after the reaction. Likewise, the reactive gas is supplied vertically to the lower side film surface of the tape-formed wire material (6), so as to react the film body of this tape-formed wire material into a superconducting layer, while at the same time, the gas after the reaction is discharged from the gas discharge ports of discharge pipes (4c and 4d) for discharging the gas after the reaction.

Abstract: A superconducting article includes a substrate having an untextured metal surface; an untextured barrier layer of La2Zr2O7 or Gd2Zr2O7 supported by and in contact with the surface of the substrate; a biaxially textured buffer layer supported by the untextured barrier layer; and a biaxially textured superconducting layer supported by the biaxially textured buffer layer. Moreover, a method of forming a buffer layer on a metal substrate includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an untextured metal surface; coating the surface of the substrate with a barrier layer precursor; converting the precursor to an untextured barrier layer; and depositing a biaxially textured buffer layer above and supported by the untextured barrier layer.

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.

Abstract: An oxide superconductor article having an oxide superconductor layer of a predetermined pattern is prepared by continuously advancing a wire having a textured surface into a deposition zone, dispensing droplets of a precursor solution to an oxide superconductor from a reservoir and the depositing droplets onto the textured surface of the wire that is introduced into the deposition zone, heating the wire or tape in the reaction zone under conditions to convert the precursor solution into an oxide superconductor; and collecting the wire after heating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple, energy efficient and cost effective process for continuous production of high quality MgB2 based superconducting wires, tapes, bulk bodies and powders with better phase purity, microstructure and superconducting properties by introducing some innovative steps namely processing the reactants in evacuated and sealed metal tubes by electrical self-heating cum hot rolling followed by annealing under electrical self-heating, thereby overcoming various deficiencies and shortcomings associated with the prior art.

Abstract: A superconducting article and a method of making a superconducting article is described. The method of forming a superconducting article includes providing a substrate, forming a buffer layer to overlie the substrate, the buffer layer including a first buffer film deposited in the presence of an ion beam assist source and having a uniaxial crystal texture. The method further includes forming a superconducting layer to overlie the buffer layer.

Abstract: Laminated, biaxially textured superconductors include Ir-based buffer layers and/or substrates.

Abstract: A method of forming a superconducting conductor is disclosed. The method provides translating a substrate tape through a deposition chamber and along a helical path, where the helical path has multiple windings of the substrate tape and each winding of the substrate tape extends along a feed path and a return path. The method further provides depositing a HTS layer overlying the substrate tape within a deposition chamber, wherein the deposition chamber houses the substrate tape along the feed path but not the return path.

Abstract: Manufacturing process of an electrically insulating and mechanically structuring sheath on an electric conductor which applies notably to the manufacture of superconducting magnets, wherein a ceramic precursor (4) in gel form is formed, then a coating of the conductor (2) with this precursor, and this coating is then heat treated to form the ceramic.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a superconducting wire which is a fine line made of an oxide superconductor, including the steps of forming the fine line by drawing a metal pipe filled with materials for the oxide superconductor, causing the materials to react to produce the oxide superconductor, heating the metal pipe at a temperature which is higher than the melting point of the metal material constituting the metal pipe.

Abstract: High-Tc superconducting ceramic oxide products and macroscopic and microscopic methods for making such high-Tc superconducting products. Completely sealed high-Tc superconducting ceramic oxide provides are made by a macroscopic process including the steps of pressing a superconducting ceramic oxide powder into a hollow body of a material inert to oxygen; heat treating the superconducting ceramic oxide powder packed body under conditions sufficient to sinter the ceramic oxide powder; and then sealing any openings of the body. Optionally, a waveform or multiple pulses of alternate magnetic filed can be applied during the heat treatment.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing solid superconducting mixed-metal oxides whereby the superconductor can be formed into any predetermined shape by way of viscous sol precursors. The superconductors are also formed by this process into homogeneous phases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to prepare a (Bi,Pb)SrCaCuO-2223 superconducting wire with improved critical current density at reduced cost. In general, the basic method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a starting precursor powder with the oxygen content adjusted to the value of the final 2223 phase; (b) filling the starting powder into a metal sheath; (c) performing deformation processing on the metal sheath to form a composite wire and develop texture in the 2212 superconducting phases; (d) sealing said metal sheath so that a fixed oxygen content is maintained; (e) performing sintering to obtain the (Bi,Pb)SrCaCuO-2223 phase. The method uses metals other than a silver-based material in the sheath material, thus significantly reducing the materials cost of the (Bi,Pb)SrCaCuO-2223 superconducting wire.

Abstract: A supported superconductor device which is useful as a superconducting current lead or as a high voltage current regulator. The device is formed of a tubular support, with a layer of ceramic, glassy or glass ceramic material adhered to the inner wall of the tubular support, the layer of material embedding a superconducting layer centrally arranged within the material of the first layer, the material of the first layer having a minimum expansion coefficient and being reinforced with pore filling material.

Abstract: A novel process of the production and processing of high quality, high Tc (Bi,Pb)SCCO superconductors starts with fabrication of a precursor article including selected intermediate phases with desired chemical and structural properties. The precursor fabrication includes introducing the reacted mixture having a dominant amount of the tetragonal BSCCO phase into a metal sheath, and sealing the reacted mixture within said sheath, heating the mixture at a second selected processing temperature in an inert atmosphere with a second selected oxygen partial pressure for a second selected time period, the second processing temperature and the second oxygen partial pressure being cooperatively selected to form a dominant amount of an orthorhombic BSCCO phase in the reacted mixture.

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 mwhich is inactive relative to the heat-resistant oxide ceramic material 3 in a high temperature oxidative atmosphere.

Abstract: An oxide superconducting wire is obtained by performing plastic working and heat treatment of a metal pipe which is filled up with raw material powder of an oxide superconductor. In the plastic working step, the metal pipe is subjected to flat working so that the raw material powder flows in the longitudinal direction as well as the cross direction in the metal pipe. In this case, a draft of at least 80% and not more than 98% is selected in the flat working step, to further promote the cross-directional flow of the raw material powder, thereby further improving density of the raw material powder. Thus, the as-formed oxide superconducting wire exhibits higher critical current density.

Abstract: The fabrication of superconducting wires and rods having desired and consistent electrical and mechanical properties, in particular those based on Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) and Bismuth Strontium Calcium Copper Oxide (BSCCO), is disclosed. The first fabrication step is to form an extrudable paste by mixing YBCO or BSCCO superconducting powder with a set of organic additives, which include binder, plasticizers lubricant, dispersant, and a solvent. The following additional steps are performed on both YBCO and BSCCO based wires or rods: (i) using a piston extruder to extrude the superconducting wire or rod; (ii) drying the wire or rod to remove the solvent; and (iii) subjecting the wire or rod to a binder burn-out treatment to remove the remaining organic additives. In addition, YBCO wires and rods also require a sintering step, while BSCCO wires and rods also require cold isostatic pressing and heat treatment steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to prepare a (Bi,Pb)SrCaCuO-2223 superconductor, in particular a (Bi,Pb)SrCaCuO-2223 superconducting wire with improved critical current density at reduced cost. In the method of preparing a (Bi,Pb)SrCaCuO-2223 superconducting wire comprising the steps of filling precursor powder into a metal sheath, working the same into a wire by performing deformation processing in this state, and heat treating the wire, the precursor powder is prepared from a powder containing a fully doped 2212 phase and a powder containing an under-doped 2212 phase. This precursor powder provides the advantage of better texture formation, faster and more homogeneous reaction to form the 2223 phase, and improved connectivity between the 2223 grains during the heat treatment process, leading to improved critical current density.

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: A method for preparing an oxide superconductor cable includes transposing a plurality of oxide superconductor strands along a longitudinal axis so as to form a cable and exposing the cable to a two step heat treatment after cabling of the oxide strands, the heat treatment comprising, (a) heating the cable to and maintaining the cable at a first temperature sufficient to partially melt the article, such that a liquid phase co-exists with the desired oxide superconductor phase; and (b) cooling the cable to and maintaining the cable at a second temperature sufficient to substantially transform the liquid phase into the desired oxide superconductor.

Abstract: The fabrication of superconducting wires and rods having desired and consistent electrical and mechanical properties, in particular those based on Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) and Bismuth Strontium Calcium Copper Oxide (BSCCO), is disclosed. The first fabrication step is to form an extrudable paste by mixing YBCO or BSCCO superconducting powder with a set of organic additives, which include binder, plasticizer, lubricant, dispersant, and a solvent. The following additional steps are performed on both YBCO and BSCCO based wires or rods: (i) using a piston extruder to extrude the superconducting wire or rod; (ii) drying the wire or rod to remove the solvent; and (iii) subjecting the wire or rod to a binder burn-out treatment to remove the remaining organic additives. In addition, YBCO wires and rods also require a sintering step, while BSCCO wires and rods also require cold isostatic pressing and heat treatment steps.

Abstract: A starting material which is converted to a continuous body of an oxide superconductor by a heat treatment is filled in a tubular Ag sheath member. The diameter of the filled member is reduced by extrusion to form a wire. The wire is subjected to a heat treatment so that the starting material inside the sheath member is converted to a continuous body of an oxide superconductor. A superconducting wire constituted by the sheath member and the oxide superconductor filled inside the sheath member is obtained. A superconducting coil can be obtained by winding the superconducting wire.

Abstract: A high Tc superconducting ceramic material is produced by a method in which a mixture of chemicals in suitable amounts is compacted into a desired form. The compacted mixture is then fired and, at the same time, an electric current is caused to pass through the compacted mixture in a predetermined direction. By virtue of the passage of the current through the material during firing, the orderliness of the molecular arrangement is enhanced and an elevated transition temperature Tc is obtained.

Abstract: A superconductive composite member, which has a core composed of an oxide ceramic material which is surrounded by an envelope, has an increased core density in order to achieve a higher critical current density. The increased core density is obtained during a hot-shaping step of the core material in the envelope, wherein the composite is heated to a temperature wherein the superconductor material is present in either a molten or a partially molten state.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a superconductor. The process is accomplished by depositing a superconductor precursor powder on a continuous length of a first substrate ribbon, overlaying a continuous length of a second substrate ribbon on said first substrate ribbon, and applying sufficient pressure to form a bound layered superconductor precursor between said first substrate ribbon and said second substrates ribbon. The layered superconductor precursor is then heat treated to form a super conductor layer.

Abstract: A method for the production of a superconducting polycrystalline wire rod having all the crystal (a, b, c) axes thereof aligned is disclosed, which consists of a step of arraying a plurality of superconducting whiskers of a composition of Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 CaCu.sub.2 O.sub.8 (Bi-2212 phase) in such a manner as to parallellize the fiber axes of the whiskers and then aligning all the crystal axes of the superconducting whiskers with parallellized fiber axes and a step of heat-treating the resultant whiskers.

Abstract: A hollow high temperature ceramic superconducting fiber (10, 100), a process for making the hollow fibers and an apparatus for carrying out the process are provided. The apparatus functions to simultaneously draw a molten superconducting material (16) and a molten glass material (18) into a hollow preform (25) which is heat treated to form a hollow superconducting fiber (10, 100) which is flexible and has a high electrical current carrying capacity. The glass cladding layer (14, 14') surrounds the hollow superconducting core (12).

Abstract: A process for making a superconducting fiber or wire (10) is provided. The superconducting fiber or wire (10) has a superconducting core (12) and a glass cladding outer layer (14). The process comprises melting a superconducting composition (16) and a glass composition (18) and simultaneously drawing the compositions from a bushing (26) with the glass cladding layer (14) surrounding the superconducting core (12). The wire (10) is then annealed to create a superconducting crystalline phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing high-strength and high-conductance copper and silver materials comprising the steps of combining a predetermined ratio of the copper with the silver to produce a composite material, and melt spinning the composite material to produce a ribbon of copper and silver. The ribbon of copper and silver is heated in a hydrogen atmosphere, and thereafter die pressed into a slug. The slug then is placed into a high-purity copper vessel and the vessel is sealed with an electron beam. The vessel and slug then are extruded into wire form using a cold hydrostatic extrusion process.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a wire made of oxide which is applicable for manufacturing a superconducting coil or the like. The process includes steps comprising preparing a mass of oxide having superconductivity from powder material, covering the mass of oxide with a metal pipe, and then reducing the diameter of the metal pipe containing the mass of oxide therein into a wire form by such plastic deformation that exert mainly compressive strain upon the metal pipe. The mass of oxide may be a compound oxide having Perovskite-type crystal structure exhibiting superconductivity. The metal pipe may be made of a metal selected from a group comprising Cu, Al, Nb, V, Mo, Ta, and Ag and of an alloy including these metals as the base. The mass of oxide may be produced by steps including extruding a powder material into a rod shape and then sintering the molded rod at a temperature ranging from 700.degree. to 1,000.degree. C.

Abstract: In a method of preparing a thallium oxide superconductor having components of Tl-Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O or Tl-Bi-Pb-Ca-Sr-Cu-O from raw material powder, the raw material powder is subjected to first heat treatment, then exposed to a compressive load, and thereafter subjected to second heat treatment. Thus, a thallium oxide superconductor having a high critical current density can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for growing a superconductive film, comprising:(a) helically winding a tape substrate around the outer periphery of a cylindrical or columnar holder and(b) growing a superconductive film on the surface of the tape substrate by plasma flash evaporation, while rotating the holder. According to the present invention, the heat contact between the holder and the tape substrate is stabilized and a high performance tape conductor can be obtained. In addition, degradation of superconductive performance possibly experienced, when the tape is used for a transmission cable or the like, can be lessened. Furthermore, the large area growth, which is the characteristic feature of plasma flash evaporation, is effectively utilized and production efficiency of a long tape conductor can be enhanced.

Abstract: A strongly-linked polycrystalline oxide superconductor article includes an oxide superconductor selected from the group consisting 124-type and 247-type oxide superconductors having fine, highly aligned oxide superconductor grains less than 50 .mu.m along a longest dimension. The oxide superconductor article has at least a 25% retention of critical current density in a 0.1 Tesla field.

Abstract: A method of producing a Bi-Pb-Sr-Ca-Cu oxide superconductor by thermally treating raw material comprises steps of performing first plastic deformation on the raw material, performing first heat treatment on the material being subjected to the first plastic deformation, performing second plastic deformation on the material being subjected to the first heat treatment, and performing second heat treatment on the material being subjected to the second plastic deformation.

Abstract: In order to obtain a ceramics system superconducting wire, a bulk type ceramics system superconductor or its precursor previously treated to have orientativity in its crystal structure is reduced in diameter in a state charged in a metallic pipe, thereby being elongated, and then heat treated. In the as-formed superconducting wire, crystal orientativity of a bulk formed of the superconductor or its precursor is maintained, whereby it is possible to obtain a superconducting wire having high critical current density. In order to further improve the critical current density, it is effective that the diameter reduction working step and the heat treatment step are alternately repeated a plurality of times.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a superconductor is carried out by first preparing a material composed of Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7. This material is heated/molten in a platinum crucible. A melt thus obtained is drawn out from a high-temperature frame provided above the platinum crucible and heated to a temperature exceeding the melting point of the material. The melt thus drawn out is cooled by natural standing, to be solidified. As the result, an elongated superconductor composed of Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7 can be obtained. This superconductor enters a superconductive state at 90 K.

Abstract: An oxide-based superconductor ccmprising Tl, Pb, Sr, Ca and Cu or Tl, Pb, Ba, Sr, Ca and Cu, prepared by subjecting a low melting point composition comprising the superconductor-constituting elements and a solid composition comprising the superconductor-constituting elements, prepared in advance, to reaction under melting conditions for the low melting point composition, has distinguished current pass characteristics in a high magnetic field due to improvement of electric contact among grains through reduction of non-superconductor phase, increase in crystal grain sizes (reduction of crystal boundaries), orientation of crystal and cleaning of crystal boundaries.

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: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x superconductor which comprises surrounding a sintered material in which the molar ratio of Y:Ba:Cu is 2:1:1 with liquid-forming powder and subjecting the powder compact to isothermal heat-treatment at a temperature below the peritectic temperature of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x. The YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x superconductors prepared according to the present invention have aligned grain structure in one direction and thus exhibit a high critical current density.

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 superconductive material has the formula(Tl.sub.1-X1-x2 Pb.sub.X1 Bi.sub.X2).sub..alpha. (Sr.sub.1-X3 Ba.sub.X3).sub..beta. Ca.sub..gamma. Cu.sub..delta. O.sub..zeta.where0.ltoreq.X1.ltoreq.0.80.ltoreq.X2.ltoreq.0.50.ltoreq.X3.ltoreq.1.00.7.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.1.51.4.ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.3.00.7.ltoreq..gamma..ltoreq.4.51.4.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.64.5.ltoreq..zeta..ltoreq.170<X1+X2<1.The superconducting material may be combined with an isostructural non-superconducting material, which then acts as a pinning center. The result may also be combined with a metal. The resulting superconductor permits a high critical current density Jc to be obtained, even at relatively high magnetic flux densities.

Abstract: A Bi--Sr--Ca--Cu--O ceramic superconductor contains 0112 phases which are finely dispersed in a 2212-phase matrix with its c-axis oriented perpendicular to a growth direction.A method of preparing a Bi--Sr--Ca--Cu--O ceramic superconductor comprises the steps of growing crystals under conditions satisfying:G/R.gtoreq.1 and G.R.gtoreq.10000where G (K/cm) represents the temperature gradient at a solid-liquid interface and R (mm/h) represents the rate of crystal growth, and annealing the grown crystals in an atmosphere having oxygen partial pressure of at least 0.05 atm. within a temperature-range of 800.degree. to 860.degree. C. for at least 2 hours.

Abstract: Metal oxide superconductor powder precursors are prepared in an aerosol pyrolysis process. A solution of the metal cations is introduced into a furnace at 600.degree.-1000.degree. C. for 0.1 to 60 seconds. The process produces micron to submicron size powders without the usual loss of the lead stabilizer. The resulting powders have a narrow particle size distribution, a small grain size, and are readily converted to a superconducting composition upon subsequent heat treatment. The precursors are placed in a metal body deformed to form a wire or tape and heated to form a superconducting article. The fine powders permit a substantial reduction in heat treatment time, thus enabling a continuous processing of the powders into superconducting wire, tape or multifilamentary articles by the powder-in-tube process.

Abstract: A superconductor wire comprising an inner core and an outer ring covering the core, wherein one of the inner core and the outer ring comprises a sintered silver powder and the other of the inner core and the outer ring on the core comprises a sintered oxide superconductor powder.