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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Improvement of persistent magnetic field trapping in bulk Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors

For type-II superconductors, magnetic field can be trapped due to persistent internal supercurrent. Quasi-persistent magnetic fields near 2 T at 60 K (and 1.4 T at 77 K) have been measured in minimagnets made of proton-irradiated melt-textured Y-Ba-Cu-O (MT-Y123) samples. Using the trapping effect, high-field permanent magnets with dipole, quadrupole, or more complicated configurations can be made of existing MT-Y123 material, thus bypassing the need for high-temperature superconductor (HTS) wires. A phenomenological current model has been developed to account for the trapped field intensity and profile in HTS samples. This model is also a guide to select directions of materials development to further improve field trapping properties. General properties such as magnetic field intensities, spatial distributions, stabilities, and temperature dependence of trapped field are discussed.

Chen, In-Gann↗
NASA NTRS1994

Depositing High-T(sub c) Superconductors On Normal-Conductor Wires

Experiments have demonstrated feasibility of depositing thin layers of high-T(sub c) superconductor on normally electrically conductive wires. Superconductivity evident at and below critical temperature (T{sub c}) of 71 K. OMCVD, organometallic vapor deposition, apparatus coats Ag wire with layer high-T(sub c) superconductor. Superconductive phase of this material formed subsequently by annealing under controlled conditions.

Kirlin, Peter S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Measurement and characterization of force dynamics in high T(sub c) superconductors

Magnetic bearing implementations using more exotic superconducting phenomena have been proliferating in recent years because they have important advantages over conventional implementations. For example, the stable suspension of a six degrees-of-freedom object by superconducting means can be achieved without a control system and with the use of only a single superconductor. It follows that the construction becomes much simpler with decreased need for position sensors and stabilizers. However, it is recognized that the design of superconducting systems can be difficult because important characteristics relating to the 6 degree-of-freedom dynamics of an object suspended magnetically are not readily available and the underlying principles of superconducting phenomena are not yet completely understood. To eliminate some of the guesswork in the design process, this paper proposes a system which can resolve the mechanical properties of suspension by superconductivity and provide position and orientation dependent data about the system's damping, stiffness, and frequency response characteristics. This system employs an actively-controlled magnetically-suspended fine-motion device that can also be used as a six degree-of-freedom force sensor. By attaching the force sensor to a permanent magnet that is being levitated above a superconducting magnet, mechanical characteristics of the superconductor levitation can be extracted. Such information would prove useful for checking the validity of theoretical models and may even give insights into superconducting phenomena.

Higuchi, Toshiro↗
NASA NTRS1995

Hybrid superconductor magnet bearings

Hybrid superconductor magnet bearings (HSMB's) utilize high temperature superconductors (HTS's) together with permanent magnets to form a frictionless interface between relatively rotating parts. They are low mass, stable, and do not incur expenditure of energy during normal operation. There is no direct physical contact between rotor and stator, and hence there is no wear and tear. However, just as any other applications of HTS's, it requires a very cold temperature to function. Whereas this might be perceived as a disadvantage on earth, it is of no great concern in space or on the moon. To astronomers, the moon is an excellent site for an observatory, but the cold and dusty vacuum environment on the moon precludes the use of mechanical bearings on the telescope mounts. Furthermore, drive mechanisms with very fine steps, and hence bearings with extremely low friction are needed to track a star from the moon, because the moon rotates very slowly. All aspects considered, the HSMB is about the only candidate that fits in naturally. Here, we present a design for one such bearing, capable of supporting a telescope that weighs about 3 lbs on Earth.

Chu, Wei-Kan↗
NASA NTRS1995

Transparent magnetic state in single crystal Nd(1.85)Ce(0.15)CuO(4-y) superconductors

Several experimental studies have been reported as evidence of Josephson coupling between the superconducting layers in the highly anisotropic oxide such as the Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 and Tl2Ba2CuO6 systems. These include the large penetration depth of 100 mu m measured, ac and dc Josephson effects. Recently two critical temperatures corresponding to Josephson coupling in between the layers and the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in the ab-plane have been directly observed in the transport measurements. If the field is applied parallel to the superconducting layers, the magnetic excitation is not the conventional Abrikosov vortices, but the Josephson vortices which extend lambda(sub ab) in the c-axis direction and lambda(sub J) = gamma s in the plane (s is the interlayer distance, gamma is the anisotropy constant). Because of the weak screening effect associated with the Josephson vortices, there have been predictions of magnetic transparent states at magnetic field above a characteristic field H(sub J), a behavior distinctively different from that of the type-II superconductors. In this paper, we report an experimental result which illustrates a transition from the Meissner state to the magnetic transparent state in single crystal of Nd(1.85)Ce(0.15)CuO(4-y). Magnetization has been measured as a function of temperature and field in the magnetic field parallel or close to ab-plane geometry. For a fixed magnetic field, the magnetization shows a two-step transition in M(T); for a fixed temperature, the magnetization shows an abrupt change to almost zero value above a characteristic field H(sub J), an indication of magnetic transparent state. The data of magnetization as a function of field clearly deviates from the behavior predicted by the Abrikosov theory for type-II superconductors. Instead, the data fit well into the picture of Josephson decoupling between the CuO2 layers.

Zuo, F.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Percolation effect in thick film superconductors: Using a Bi(Pb)SrCaCuO based paste to prepare a superconducting planar transformer

A thick film superconductor paste has been developed to study the properties of granulated superconductor materials, to observe the percolation effect and to confirm the theory of the conducting mechanism in the superconducting thick films. This paste was also applied to make a superconducting planar transformer. Due to the T(sub c) and advantageous current density properties the base of the past was chosen to be of Bi(Pb)SrCaCu) system. For contacts a conventional Ag/Pt paste was used. The critical temperature of the samples were between 110 K and 115 K depending on the printed layer thickness. The critical current density -at the boiling temperature of the liquid He- was between 200 - 300 A/sq cm. The R(T) and V(I) functions were measured with different parameters. The results of the measurements have confirmed the theory of conducting mechanism in the material. The percolation structure model has been built and described. As an application, a superconducting planar thick film transformer was planned and produced. Ten windings of the transformer were printed on one side of the alumina substrate and one winding was printed on the other side. The coupling between the two sides was possible through the substrate. The samples did not need special drying and firing parameters. After the preparation, the properties of the transformer were measured. The efficiency ans the losses were determined. Finally, some fundamental advantages and problems of the process were discussed.

Sali, Robert↗
NASA NTRS1995

A Natural Application for High Temperature Superconductors: a Bearing for the Azimuth Mount of a Lunar Telescope

A bearing for telescope mounts on the moon has to function in a cold dusty vacuum environment that impairs the operation of almost all traditional bearings, but it is a natural environment for bearings constructed out of magnets and high temperature superconductors. The challenge lies not so much in the weight of the telescope that has to be supported, but in the smoothness of forces required for precision positioning control over a long stretch of time without human intervention. In this paper, we present a design of hybrid superconductor magnet bearings intended for use on the azimuth mount of an altitude-azimuth telescope mount system. In addition to the general features of hybrid super conducting magnet bearings, we will address particular issues connected with the application of these bearings on a telescope mount.

Ma, Ki↗
NASA NTRS1999

A Fifth Force: Generalized through Superconductors

The connection between the Biefield-Brown Effect, the recent repeat of the 1902 Trouton-Noble (TN) experiments, and the gravity shielding experiments was explored. This connection is visualized through high capacitive electron concentrations. From this connection, a theory is proposed that connects mass energy to gravity and a fifth force. The theory called the Gravi-Atomic Energy theory presents two new terms: Gravi-atomic energy and quantum vacuum pressure (QVP). Gravi-atomic energy is defined as the radiated mass energy, which acts on vacuum energy to create a QVP about a mass, resulting in gravity and the fifth force. The QVP emission from a superconductor was discussed followed by the description of a test for QVP from a superconductor using a Cavendish balance.

Robertson, Glen A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Processing of Bulk YBa2Cu3O(7-x) High Temperature Superconductor Materials for Gravity Modification Experiments and Performance Under AC Levitation

We have previously reported results using a high precision gravimeter to probe local gravity changes in the neighborhood of bulk-processed high temperature superconductor disks. Others have indicated that large annular disks (on the order of 25cm diameter) and AC levitation fields play an essential role in their observed experiments. We report experiments in processing such large bulk superconductors. Successful results depend on material mechanical characteristics, and pressure and heat treat protocols. Annular disks having rough dimensions of 30cm O.D., 7cm I.D. and 1 cm thickness have been routinely fabricated and tested under AC levitation fields ranging from 45 to 300OHz. Implications for space transportation initiatives and power storage flywheel technology will be discussed.

Koczor, Ronald↗
NASA NTRS1999

Non-Equilibrium Superconductivity and Magnetic Pair Breaking in Perovskite Half-Metallic Ferromagnet-Insulator-Superconductor (F-I-S) Heterostructures

The effect of spin-polarized quasiparticle currents on the critical current density (J-c) of cuprate superconductors is studied in perovskite F-I-S heterostructures as a function of insulator thickness and of underlying magnetic materials. A pulsed current technique is employed to minimize extraneous Joule heating on the superconductor. At temperatures near T-c, F-I-S samples with insulator thicknesses\1e2nm show precipitous decrease in J_c as current injection (I_m) is increased. In contrast, J_c in a controlled sample with a substituted non-magnetic material (N-I-S) exhibit no dependence on I_m. Similarly, a F-I-S sample with a 10 mn insulating barrier also show little J_c effect versus I_m. At low temperatures with I_m = 0, significant suppression of J-c is observed only in the thin barrier F-I-S samples, although T_c and the normal-state resistivity of all samples are comparable. These phenomena can be attributed to the Cooper pair breaking induced by externally-injected and internally-reflected spin-polarized quasiparticle currents. We estimate an order of magnitude range for the spin diffusion length of 100 nm to 100\ mum.

Fu, C.-C.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Superconductor-Magnet Bearings With Inherent Stability and Velocity-Independent Drag Torque

A hybrid superconductor magnet bearing system has been developed based on passive magnetic levitation and the flux pinning effect of high-temperature superconductivity. The rationale lies in the unique capability of a high-temperature superconductor (HTS) to enhance system stability passively without power consumption. Characterization experiments have been conducted to understand its dynamic behavior and to estimate the required motor torque for its driving system design. These experiments show that the hybrid HTS-magnet bearing system has a periodic oscillation of drag torque due mainly to the nonuniform magnetic field density of permanent magnets. Furthermore, such a system also suffers from a small superimposed periodic oscillation introduced by the use of multiple HTS disks rather than a uniform annulus of HTS material. The magnitude of drag torque is velocity independent and very small. These results make this bearing system appealing for high-speed application. Finally, design guidelines for superconducting bearing systems are suggested based on these experimental results.

Lee, Eun-Jeong↗
NASA NTRS2001

Formation of Y(x)Nd(1-x) Ba2Cu3O(7-delta) (0 = or < x < or = 0.7) Superconductors from an Undercooled Melt Via Aero-Acoustic Levitation

Melt processing of RE123 superconductors has gained importance in recent years. While the first high temperature superconductors (HTSCs) were made using traditional ceramic press and sinter technology, recent fabrication efforts have employed alternate processing techniques including laser ablation and ion beam assisted deposition for thin film fabrication of tapes and wires and melt growth for bulk materials. To optimize these techniques and identify other potential processing strategies, phase relation studies on HTSCs have been conducted on a wide variety of superconducting compounds using numerous processing strategies. This data has enhanced the understanding of these complex systems and allowed more accurate modeling of phase interactions. All of this research has proved useful in identifying processing capabilities for HTSCs but has failed to achieve a breakthrough for wide spread application of these materials. This study examines the role of full to partial substitution of Nd in the Y123 structure under rapid solidification conditions. Aero-acoustic levitation (AAL) was used to levitate and undercool RE123 in pure oxygen binary alloys with RE = Nd an Y along a range of compositions corresponding to Y(x)Nd(1-x) Ba2Cu3O(7-delta) (0 = or < x < or = 0.7) which were melted by a CO2 laser. Higher Y content spheres could not be melted in the AAL and were excluded from this report. Solidification structures were examined using scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy, and powder x-ray diffraction to characterize microstructures and identify phases.

Gustafson, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS2005

High-Power, High-Temperature Superconductor Technology Development

Since the first discovery of high-temperature superconductors (HTS) 10 years ago, the most promising areas for their applications in microwave systems have been as passive components for communication systems. Soon after the discovery, experiments showed that passive microwave circuits made from HTS material exceeded the performance of conventional devices for low-power applications and could be 10 times as small or smaller. However, for superconducting microwave components, high-power microwave applications have remained elusive until now. In 1996, DuPont and Com Dev Ltd. developed high-power superconducting materials and components for communication applications under a NASA Lewis Research Center cooperative agreement, NCC3-344 "High Power High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) Technology Development." The agreement was cost shared between the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Technology Reinvestment Program Office and the two industrial partners. It has the following objectives: 1) Material development and characterization for high-power HTS applications; 2) Development and validation of generic high-power microwave components; 3) Development of a proof-of-concept model for a high-power six-channel HTS output multiplexer.

Bhasin, Kul B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Method for determining transport critical current densities and flux penetration depth in bulk superconductors

A contact-less method for determining transport critical current density and flux penetration depth in bulk superconductor material. A compressor having a hollow interior and a plunger for selectively reducing the free space area for distribution of the magnetic flux therein are formed of superconductor material. Analytical relationships, based upon the critical state model, Maxwell's equations and geometrical relationships define transport critical current density and flux penetration depth in terms of the initial trapped magnetic flux density and the ratio between initial and final magnetic flux densities whereby data may be reliably determined by means of the simple test apparatus for evaluating the current density and flux penetration depth.

Israelsson, Ulf E.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Superconductors Enable Lower Cost MRI Systems

The future looks bright, light, and green, especially where aircraft are concerned. The division of NASA s Fundamental Aeronautics Program called the Subsonic Fixed Wing Project is aiming to reach new heights by 2025-2035, improving the efficiency and environmental impact of air travel by developing new capabilities for cleaner, quieter, and more fuel efficient aircraft. One of the many ways NASA plans to reach its aviation goals is by combining new aircraft configurations with an advanced turboelectric distributed propulsion (TeDP) system. Jeff Trudell, an engineer at Glenn Research Center, says, "The TeDP system consists of gas turbines generating electricity to power a large number of distributed motor-driven fans embedded into the airframe." The combined effect increases the effective bypass ratio and reduces drag to meet future goals. "While room temperature components may help reduce emissions and noise in a TeDP system, cryogenic superconducting electric motors and generators are essential to reduce fuel burn," says Trudell. Superconductors provide significantly higher current densities and smaller and lighter designs than room temperature equivalents. Superconductors are also able to conduct direct current without resistance (loss of energy) below a critical temperature and applied field. Unfortunately, alternating current (AC) losses represent the major part of the heat load and depend on the frequency of the current and applied field. A refrigeration system is necessary to remove the losses and its weight increases with decreasing temperature. In 2001, a material called magnesium diboride (MgB2) was discovered to be superconducting. The challenge, however, has been learning to manufacture MgB2 inexpensively and in long lengths to wind into large coils while meeting the application requirements.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2025

Supermodulation-driven evolution of the nodal structure of bismuth-based cuprate superconductors

Recent work has shown novel properties of twisted cuprates. In this paper, I point out that related phenomena occur intrinsically in bismuth-based cuprate superconductors due to the presence of the BiO supermodulation. As the ratio of the supermodulation potential to the superconducting energy gap increases, two critical points are found where semi-Dirac nodes form (that is, they have quadratic dispersion in one direction and linear dispersion in the orthogonal direction). The first critical point should be realized in Bi2212, the second in Bi2201. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Cuprates↗
DOE OSTI2024

Quantile regression-enriched event modeling framework for dropout analysis in high-temperature superconductor manufacturing

High-temperature superconductor (HTS) tapes have shown promising characteristics of high critical current, which are prerequisites for applications in high-field magnets. Due to the unstable growth conditions in the HTS manufacturing process, however, the frequent occurrences of dropouts in the critical current impede the consistent performance of HTS tapes. To manufacture HTS tapes with large scale, high yield, and uniform performance, it is essential to develop novel data analysis approaches for modeling the dropouts and identifying the related important process parameters. Conventional methods for modeling recurrent events, such as the point process, require the extraction of events from quality measurements. As the critical current is a continuous process, it may not comprehensively represent the drop patterns by transforming the time-series measurements into a set of events. Here, to solve this issue, we develop a novel quantile regression-enriched event modeling (QREM) framework that integrates the non-homogeneous Poisson process for modeling the occurrence of dropouts and the quantile regression for capturing the drop patterns. By incorporating the feature selection and regularization, the proposed framework identifies a set of significant process parameters that can potentially cause the dropouts of HTS tapes. The proposed method is tested on real HTS tapes produced using an advanced manufacturing process, successfully identifying important parameters that influence dropout events including the substrate temperature and voltage. The results demonstrate that the proposed QREM method outperforms the standard point process in predicting the occurrence of dropouts.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Unveiling the nucleation and growth of Zr oxide precipitates in internally oxidized Nb3Sn superconductors

We report on atomic-scale analyses of nucleation and growth of Zr oxide precipitates and the microstructural evolution of internally oxidized Nb3Sn wires for high-field superconducting magnet applications, utilizing atom probe tomography (APT), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and first-principles calculations. APT analyses reveal that oxygen and zirconium are already segregated at grain boundaries (GBs) in the unreacted Nb-1Zr-4Ta (at%) alloy prior to forming Nb3Sn through reacting the Nb alloy with Sn and SnO2. After forming Nb3Sn, Zr oxide precipitates nucleate both at the Nb3Sn/Nb heterophase interfaces and in the Nb3Sn grains, driven by the small solubilities of Zr and O in Nb3Sn compared to their value in Nb. A high number density (Nv) of Zr oxide nanoprecipitates is observed in the Nb3Sn layers, ∼10 23 m −3 , with a mean diameter <10 nm for a heat treatment at 625 °C. Quantitative APT and TEM analyses of the Zr oxide precipitates in the reacted Nb3Sn layers elucidate details of the nucleation, growth, and coarsening processes of the Zr oxide precipitates in Nb3Sn. First-principles calculations and classical nucleation theory are employed to study the nucleation of Zr oxide precipitates in Nb3Sn and to estimate the maximum energy barrier and critical radius for nucleation. Our research unveils the kinetic pathways for nucleation and growth of Zr oxide precipitates and the microstructural evolution of Nb3Sn layers, which helps to understand and improve the superconducting properties of internally oxidized Nb3Sn wires for use in high-field superconducting magnets. •We investigated the nucleation and growth of Zr oxide nanoprecipitates in Nb3Sn superconductors for magnet applications.•APT and TEM analyses reveals the nucleation and growth process of Zr oxide precipitates in Nb3Sn layers.•Classical nucleation theory with DFT is employed to describe the nucleation process of Zr oxide precipitates in Nb3Sn.•We find that the interfacial reactions at Nb/Nb3Sn interface play a critical role in the nucleation of Zr oxide precipitates.•Current study provides a pathway to improve the properties of internally oxidized Nb3Sn superconducting wires.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗