Separating Subtle Interplay between Competing/Cooperating Superconductivity and Magnetism in YBa2Cu3O7-x with Nanotechnology. Superconducting cables can carry 100 to 200 times more electric current than conventional cables. The innovations in this program could enable the widespread commercialization of more efficient types of power generation, transmission, and electrical equipment and devices, offering tremendous energy savings and emissions reductions. It is estimated that ~A$400 million pe ....Separating Subtle Interplay between Competing/Cooperating Superconductivity and Magnetism in YBa2Cu3O7-x with Nanotechnology. Superconducting cables can carry 100 to 200 times more electric current than conventional cables. The innovations in this program could enable the widespread commercialization of more efficient types of power generation, transmission, and electrical equipment and devices, offering tremendous energy savings and emissions reductions. It is estimated that ~A$400 million per year can be saved if high-Tc superconducting wires and cables were to replace conventional metallic conductors. The success of this program will greatly increase scientific understanding of hig-Tc superconductivity and expand Australia's knowledge in the research on high-Tc superconductors. The training will also provide scientific talents to the country.Read moreRead less
Enhancing the performance of high voltage direct current power cables by studying space charge accumulation in their synthetic polymeric insulation. Synthetic polymeric insulation has proved very successful in high voltage alternating current power transmission cables, and cable manufacturers have therefore sought to use it in high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables, for which there is a rapidly growing demand. Yet the accumulation of space charge in such cables presently severely limits the m ....Enhancing the performance of high voltage direct current power cables by studying space charge accumulation in their synthetic polymeric insulation. Synthetic polymeric insulation has proved very successful in high voltage alternating current power transmission cables, and cable manufacturers have therefore sought to use it in high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables, for which there is a rapidly growing demand. Yet the accumulation of space charge in such cables presently severely limits the maximum operating voltage and transmitted power. Nearly all this space charge is due to the temperature gradient in the insulation. We will analyze space charge profiles in polyethylene and other synthetic polymers, and derive basic scientific data which will inform the design of HVDC cables with greatly enhanced performance.Read moreRead less
Development of high-temperature superconducting coated conductors by pulsed-laser deposition technique for future long-length applications. The aim of the project is to develop a novel technology for manufacturing flexible coated conductors with the help of a pulsed laser deposition technique, in order to enhance the current-carrying ability of high-temperature superconducting coatings (including multi-layered coatings) for future long-length high power applications. To achieve desirable electr ....Development of high-temperature superconducting coated conductors by pulsed-laser deposition technique for future long-length applications. The aim of the project is to develop a novel technology for manufacturing flexible coated conductors with the help of a pulsed laser deposition technique, in order to enhance the current-carrying ability of high-temperature superconducting coatings (including multi-layered coatings) for future long-length high power applications. To achieve desirable electromagnetic properties governed by the nano-structures of the coatings, a well-balanced combination of world-class "global" and "local" electromagnetic property measurements with advanced structural characterisations is suggested. It is expected that a controlled network of nano-scale pinning centres will allow the development of high performance coated conductors.Read moreRead less
Enhancement and elucidation of flux pinning in doped Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O high temperature superconducting single crystals. The proposed project aims to study the effects of elevated doping on the intrinsic electromagnetic properties of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O high temperature superconducting (HTS) single crystals grown by two-dimensional and spiral-growth mechanisms with a particular focus on structure, conductivity and thermal neutron irradiation. Studies of the relationship between microstructures, anisotrop ....Enhancement and elucidation of flux pinning in doped Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O high temperature superconducting single crystals. The proposed project aims to study the effects of elevated doping on the intrinsic electromagnetic properties of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O high temperature superconducting (HTS) single crystals grown by two-dimensional and spiral-growth mechanisms with a particular focus on structure, conductivity and thermal neutron irradiation. Studies of the relationship between microstructures, anisotropy and flux pinning will lead to a better understanding of the pinning behaviour of Bi-based HTSC. The outcome will be better methods for introducing suitable pinning centres into Bi-based high temperature superconductors.Read moreRead less
Fabrication of high quality MgB2 superconductor. Superconductors are electrical resistance free materials. They have great potential for power applications. Nowadays, superconductors have been used in applications such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging and other R&D equipment. This project deals with newly discovered MgB2 superconductor. The process outlined in this project will produce MgB2 superconductor with better superconducting properties. The application of MgB2 superconductor will save ene ....Fabrication of high quality MgB2 superconductor. Superconductors are electrical resistance free materials. They have great potential for power applications. Nowadays, superconductors have been used in applications such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging and other R&D equipment. This project deals with newly discovered MgB2 superconductor. The process outlined in this project will produce MgB2 superconductor with better superconducting properties. The application of MgB2 superconductor will save energy, and enhance the performance of existing electrical devices such as magnet and power line.Read moreRead less
Development of new technology for coated conductors able to carry "over-critical" current densities. The superconductivity phenomenon has extremely attractive feature, that superconductors can carry non-dissipative currents, enabling us to reduce energy consumption by up to 50%. The new advanced method suggested in this project might give a new, fresh and inexpensive boost to not only domestic superconducting industry, but also worldwide. The development of new high performance superconductor te ....Development of new technology for coated conductors able to carry "over-critical" current densities. The superconductivity phenomenon has extremely attractive feature, that superconductors can carry non-dissipative currents, enabling us to reduce energy consumption by up to 50%. The new advanced method suggested in this project might give a new, fresh and inexpensive boost to not only domestic superconducting industry, but also worldwide. The development of new high performance superconductor technology would significantly promote fundamental understanding and knowledge of the poorly investigated "long-range" magnetic interaction between magnetic and superconducting materials. The University of Wollongong would lead the world research community in this practically important and scientifically intriguing area.Read moreRead less
Development of conductive buffer layers for RABiTS-based coated conductors. YBCO coated conductor has already been identified and developed as far as second generation HTS wire in power applications. Major advances have been made in the last 10 years in coated conductor development mainly in all aspects: substrate, buffer layer and YBCO layer. The research on conductive buffers layer will improve and expand the R&D on coated conductor in Australia. On the economic side, dramatic advantages and s ....Development of conductive buffer layers for RABiTS-based coated conductors. YBCO coated conductor has already been identified and developed as far as second generation HTS wire in power applications. Major advances have been made in the last 10 years in coated conductor development mainly in all aspects: substrate, buffer layer and YBCO layer. The research on conductive buffers layer will improve and expand the R&D on coated conductor in Australia. On the economic side, dramatic advantages and savings could be achieved if the coated conductors can be put to use. Superconductivity can have a significant role in deregulated electricity markets and in lessening CO2 emissions and other environmental impacts.Read moreRead less
Compact high voltage superconducting fault current limiter employing a new core architecture and novel magnetic materials. The proposed project is an example of applied research that utilises a frontier technology (superconductors) in an application with both national and community benefits. Fault current limiters are designed to protect electricity grids. The integration of superconductors in fault current limiting applications allows for this protection to be achieved in an energy efficient ma ....Compact high voltage superconducting fault current limiter employing a new core architecture and novel magnetic materials. The proposed project is an example of applied research that utilises a frontier technology (superconductors) in an application with both national and community benefits. Fault current limiters are designed to protect electricity grids. The integration of superconductors in fault current limiting applications allows for this protection to be achieved in an energy efficient manner, since negligible impedance is applied to the network during the un-faulted state. Effective and efficient protection of the electricity network is of national interest, with any failure affecting industry and individuals. The proposed research team is in a leading position to develop the potential of this technology for both national networks and a world market.Read moreRead less
The role of nano-structures for the super-current flow and limitation in high-temperature superconducting films and multi-layers. The aims of the project are to promote the development of the second generation of high-temperature superconductors for electrical power engineering, so-called "Coated Conductors", and to achieve enhancements of their characteristics for revolutionizing the world of the electricity, power, and energy handling. The comprehension of critical current density limiting mec ....The role of nano-structures for the super-current flow and limitation in high-temperature superconducting films and multi-layers. The aims of the project are to promote the development of the second generation of high-temperature superconductors for electrical power engineering, so-called "Coated Conductors", and to achieve enhancements of their characteristics for revolutionizing the world of the electricity, power, and energy handling. The comprehension of critical current density limiting mechanisms in films and multi-layers, as well as the construction of corresponding theoretical models will be the main scientific outcome of the project. The understanding of the interplay between fundamental and technological aspects will be a significant step towards the practical utilization of Coated Conductors.Read moreRead less
Development of Magnesium Diboride Superconductor Wires with High Upper Critical Field for MRI Applications. The aim of the program is to demonstrate the superconducting magnesium diboride (MgB2) wires with improved upper critical field (Hc2,) appropriate for large-scale applications. The basic idea will be based on the two-gap superconductivity to add well-distributed impurities which will act as scatterers, increasing resistivity, and thus Hc2. The core innovation of this proposal is based on t ....Development of Magnesium Diboride Superconductor Wires with High Upper Critical Field for MRI Applications. The aim of the program is to demonstrate the superconducting magnesium diboride (MgB2) wires with improved upper critical field (Hc2,) appropriate for large-scale applications. The basic idea will be based on the two-gap superconductivity to add well-distributed impurities which will act as scatterers, increasing resistivity, and thus Hc2. The core innovation of this proposal is based on the recent breakthrough in MgB2 that was made by the CIs through nano-SiC particle doping, which achieved a record high Hc2 in bulk form and enhancement of critical current density, Jc, in magnetic fields by an order of magnitude. The expected outcome is the development of superconducting MgB2 wires and coils with high Hc2 and Jc for MRI applications.Read moreRead less