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Processing and application of high-temperature superconducting coated conductors

Nature Reviews Materials volume 6, pages 587–604 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Coated conductors formed from the high-temperature superconducting (HTS) material REBCO (REBa2Cu3O7−δ) enable energy-efficient and high-power-density delivery of electricity, making them key materials for clean energy generation, conversion, transmission and storage. Widespread application of HTS coated conductor wires requires operation at high temperatures in wide-ranging magnetic fields, as well as low-cost processing. In this Review, we investigate different processing methods and applications of HTS coated conductors, highlighting advances in laboratory-scale conductor processing and performance, and examining commercial potential. 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 method. We outline approaches to decrease wire cost and improve wire performance in the critical application regime (20–40 K, >1 T magnetic field), and examine emerging and potential future applications of HTS coated conductors.

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Fig. 1: Timeline of the development of high-temperature superconducting coated conductors and their applications.
Fig. 2: Critical surface diagram and routes to improving conductor performance.
Fig. 3: Coated conductor architecture.
Fig. 4: Processing methods for the production of the superconducting layer.
Fig. 5: Growth modes resulting from different processing methods.
Fig. 6: Current-carrying performance metrics of commercial conductors in different temperature regimes.
Fig. 7: In-field performance of commercial conductors in different temperature regimes.
Fig. 8: Laboratory-scale REBCO wire performance.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge T. Bedford for background research contributing to this work, S. H. Moon for critical reading of the manuscript and M. W. Rupich, J. Hänisch, A. Palau, G. Brittles and A. K. Kursumovic for helpful points of discussion and understanding. J.L.M.-D. acknowledges funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering, grant CiET1819_24, the Harding Foundation and Leverhulme Trust, grant RPG-2020-041.

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  1. Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

    Judith L. MacManus-Driscoll

  2. Robinson Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

    Stuart C. Wimbush

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MacManus-Driscoll, J.L., Wimbush, S.C. Processing and application of high-temperature superconducting coated conductors. Nat Rev Mater 6, 587–604 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-021-00290-3

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