There is a need for small efficient superconducting generators for several military programs supported by BMDO -THADD, DEW, and the Navy's superconducting motor programs. The development of high-temperature superconductors based on YBCO on a textured metal substrate will make a dramatic impact on components for these systems. On short lengths these conductors have demonstrated high current densities of over 1 million amps/cm2 at 77 K in self field. This level of performance will result in higher operating temperatures and efficiencies, plus reduction in size and weight for the system components such as generators, motors, and power supplies. The primary focus of this proposal is to develop long-length textured buffer layers on textured metal substrates for the development of YBCO high temperature superconductors. During this Phase I we will investigate in long length several oxide buffer layers that have shown epitaxial texture on textured metal substrates. These oxides will be applied using low cost reel-to-reel chemical solution processes without any vacuum processing. The commercial benefit of this proposal is to develop and commercialize low cost long length textured YBCO superconductors and make them available for highly efficient and compact generators, motors, MRI, SMES, fault current limiters, and transmission cables.
Keywords: YBCO, Texture, Generators , Superconductors, Buffer Layers
