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May, 2021

High temperature superconductors (HTS) based on REBa2Cu3O7−δ enable energy-efficient and high-power density delivery of electricity, making them key materials for clean energy generation, conversion, transmission and storage. However, they are complex. The technology for creating them in wires is likely the most complex material technology out there. It is no surprise, therefore, that it has taken materials scientists so long to obtain the holy grail of cost-effective, high performance material. In this review/ perspective, we investigate how to optimise performance of HTS coated conductors where we have been involved right from the beginning.  We discuss how the nanostructure of the HTS material impacts wire performance across different application regimes, and how the nanostructure and performance are related to the inherent supersaturation levels of the respective processing methods. We outline the future path to decreasing wire cost and improving wire performance in the critical application regime (20K−40K, >1T magnetic field), and also examine emerging and potential future applications of HTS coated conductors, such as fusion energy.

Figure caption: Wide-ranging applications of high temperature superconductors for generating, storing and transmitting energy.

JL MacManus-Driscoll and SC Wimbush, "Advances in processing and application of high temperature superconducting coated conductors", Nature Reviews Materials (2021)

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