Earticle

Recently, a claim of material, named LK-99 (a lead apatite-based compound), exhibiting a superconducting transition temperature of over 400 K under standard atmospheric pressure, was reported [1, 2]. This claim has generated considerable attention from scientists worldwide. Here, we synthesized five LK-99 samples following the method detailed in the original papers [1, 2], and measured structural and resistivity data for each of these samples. The structure of the synthesized samples (P63/m, a=9.82 Å , c=7.34 Å ) was very close to the reported one. Contrary to the report, however, no hint of room-temperature superconductivity was noted from any of the samples. The results of Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) measurements demonstrate that the atomic distribution in the sample was inhomogenous, and unreacted precursors were included in the samples. To investigate the intrinsic superconducting properties of LK-99, we propose to synthesize samples having high structural purity and chemical uniformity.

Lee, Kim, et al. reported in July 2023 that a modified lead apatite material, Pb10-xCux(PO4)6O (0.9 < x < 1.1), exhibited superconductivity at room temperature and atmospheric pressure [1, 2]. However, their X-ray diffraction data clearly showed the presence of impurity phases, including Cu2S, raising uncertainty about the sample quality. Subsequent studies have been conducted; however, different samples exhibited various physical properties. To verify the recipe for the sample growth process, we synthesized samples following the methodology outlined in the reference [1, 2]. An analysis of the structure and physical properties of the synthesized sample reaffirms the critical importance of high-quality sample growth.

To confirm the room-temperature superconductivity at ambient pressure as claimed in recent arXiv preprints by Lee et al., we followed the original authors’ systematic solid-state synthesis recipe to reproduce Cu-doped Pb-apatite, known as LK-99. Using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, we identified inclusion of various impurities alongside the apatite phase in our sample. While the sample exhibited an overall semiconducting behavior in electrical transport, an intriguing resistivity anomaly at 380 K was observed, possibly originating from a structural phase transition of the Cu2-δS impurity. Based on the transport and magnetization measurements, we conclude that the sample is a non-magnetic semiconductor, with absence of superconductivity.

We have investigated the behavior induced by Ga substitution in B-1212 system and observed an anomalous superconductor-like resistivity drop with an onset near 260 K and an offset at 248 K in the nominal (B0.65Ga0.35)(Ba1.25Sr0.75)(Er0.5Ca0.5)Cu2Oz compound . However, this property degraded with repeated cycling. Systematic studies of the superconducting properties of the (B1- xGax)(Ba1.25Sr0.75)(Er0.5Ca0.5)Cu2Oz compounds are reported and discussed in the context of the anomalous resistivity transition.

The Second-generation high-temperature superconducting (HTS) Rare-Earth Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO) wire is a composite laminate having a multi-layer structure (8 or more layers). HTS wires will undergo multiple loads including the bendingtension loads during winding, high current density, and high magnetic fields. In particular, the wires are subjected to bending stress and magnetic field stress because HTS wires are wound around a circular bobbin when making a high-field magnetic. Each of the different laminated wires inevitably exhibits damage and fracture behavior of wire due to stress deformation, mismatches in thermal, physical, electrical, and magnetic properties. Therefore, when manufacturing high-field magnets and other applications, it is necessary to calculate the stress-strain experienced by high-temperature superconducting wire to present stable operating conditions in the product's use environment. In this study, the finite element model (FEM) was used to simulate the strain-stress characteristics of the HTS wire under high current density and magnetic field, and bending loads. In addition, the result of obtaining the neutral axis of the wire and the simulation result was compared with the theoretical calculation value and reviewed. As a result of the simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics, when a current of 100 A was applied to the wire, the current value showed the difference of 10-9. The stress received by the wire was 501.9 MPa, which showed a theoretically calculated value of 500 MPa and difference of 0.38% between simulation and theoretical method. In addition, the displacement resulted is 30.0012 μm, which is very similar to the theoretically calculated value of 30 μm. Later, the amount of bending stress by the circular mandrel was received for each layer and the difference with the theoretically obtained the neutral axis result was compared and reviewed. This result will be used as basic data for manufacturing high-field magnets because it can be expanded and analyzed even in the case of wire with magnetic flux pinning.

Until now, many research activities have been conducted to commercialize high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wires for electric applications. Most of all researchers have focused on enhancing the piece length, critical current density, mechanical strength, and throughput of HTS wires. Recently, HTS magnet for generating high magnetic field shows degraded performance due to the deformation of HTS wire by high electro-magnetic force. The deformation can be derived from widthwise thickness non-uniformity of HTS wire mainly caused by wet processes such as electropolishing of metal substrate and electro-plating of copper. Gradient sputtering process is designed to improve the thickness uniformity of HTS wire along the width direction. Copper stabilizing layer is deposited on HTS wire covered with specially designed mask. In order to evaluate the thickness uniformity of HTS wire after gradient sputtering process, the thickness distribution across the width is measured by using the optical microscope. The results show that the gradient deposition process is an effective method for improving the thickness uniformity of HTS wire.

This study presents a comprehensive procedure for the low cycle fatigue test of ultrasonically welded (UW) coated conductor (CC) lap-joints. The entire process is examined in detail, from the robust fabrication of the UW REBCO CC joints to the reliability testing under a low number of repeated cycle fatigue conditions. A continuous Ic measurement system enables real-time monitoring of Ic variations throughout the fatigue tests. The study aims to provide a step-by-step procedure that involves joint fabrication, electromechanical property (EMP) tests under uniaxial tension for stress level determination, and subsequent low-cycle fatigue tests. The joints are fabricated using a hybrid method that combines UW with adding In-Sn soldering, achieving a flux-free hybrid welding approach (UW-HW flux-free). The selected conditions for the low cycle fatigue tests include a stress ratio of R=0.1 and a frequency of 0.02 Hz. The results reveal some insights into the fatigue behavior, irreversible changes, and cumulative damage in the CC joints.

One of the main problems faced in developing India’s first HTS power cable was that of shrinkage in length of the double-walled vacuum-insulated cryostat. The shrinkage was due to the evacuation of the annular vacuum space which results in a shorter working cable length. This work reports experimentally observed contraction during evacuation and analyses corrugated pipes/bellows which house the cable core of HTS cables. The effect of corrugation geometry including length, corrugation pitch and depth, diameters of corrugated pipes and thicknesses of pipes is studied numerically to realize the degree of shrinkage due to vacuum as well as chill down. Finally, necessary length compensation and associated cost is determined to tackle the shrinkage issue.

For high-temperature superconducting power applications that need large current capacity, a large current conductor manufactured using multiple superconducting tape is required. Conductors being studied for large currents capacity such as CORC, TSTC, and RACC have advantages and disadvantages, and in order to use these conductors in coil form and apply them to AC power devices, research on magnetization loss occurring in superconductors due to external magnetic fields is essential. To accurately measure magnetization loss in a conductor that is twisted by stacking straight conductors like TSTC, the correlation between the measuring system and the shape of the sample must be clearly known to accurately measure the loss. In this paper, we will confirm the difference in magnetization loss measurement values according to the correlation between the length of the pickup coil and the twist pitch of the sample in CORC and TSTC shapes, and review considerations for accurate magnetization loss measurement from the results.

CORC, which is being studied as one of the conductors for large currents, is manufactured by symmetrically arranging several strands of high-temperature superconducting wires on a cylindrical former. It allows current to flow evenly between wires and has the advantage of being manufactured in a multi-layer structure to increase current capacity. In order to apply CORC to AC power devices, it is necessary to review the material of the former, which is the frame around which the superconducting wire is wound. In the case of metal formers, they are difficult to apply because eddy currents are generated in the former, and they do not have the flexibility to be manufactured into coils by winding them with CORC. In this paper, we compare and analyze the magnetization loss caused by an external alternating magnetic field of Litz wire, which is being considered as a former material for CORC, with the results from formers made of other materials. In addition, we experimentally examine the effect of reducing magnetization loss due to an external magnetic field in CORC using a split wire made by dividing a high-temperature superconducting wire into two using an etching method, and in CORC made with a non-split wire.

In this study, the photolithography process was chosen to reduce the aspect ratio of the cross-section of a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape by dividing the superconducting layer of the tape. Reducing the aspect ratio decreases the magnetization losses in the second-generation HTS tapes generated by AC magnetic fields. The HTS tape used in the experiment has a thin silver (Ag) layer of about 2 ㎛ on top of the REBCO superconducting layer and no additional stabilizer layer. A dry film resist (DFR) was laminated on top of the HTS tape by a lamination method for the segmentation. Exposure to a 395 nm UV lamp on a patterned mask cures the DFR. Dipping with a 1% Na2CO3 solution was followed to develop the uncured film side and to obtain the required pattern. The silver and superconducting layers of the REBCO films were cleaned with an acid solution after the etching. Finally, the segmented HTS tape was completed by stripping the DFR film with acetone.

In this paper, we analyze experimental results by applying the PHILS model to a lab-scale superconducting current limiter system for its actual application in medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) systems. Superconducting current limiters exhibit effective current-limiting performance in circuit breaker operations, particularly in limiting large fault currents within a short period, addressing the challenges posed by the increasing use of renewable energy and the integration of DC medium-voltage distribution systems. The development of such superconducting current limiters faces various technical and cost disadvantages, especially when applying a medium-voltage 35kV level system, which is intended for future introduction. The proven lab-scale superconducting current limiter system and the PHILS model are combined and integrated into the actual system. Our plan involves analyzing the limiter's performance, assessing its impact on the system, and preparing for its application in future medium-voltage systems. Utilizing RTDS, a simulation was conducted by connecting actual scaled-down equipment and systems, with the analysis results presented.

The manufacturing process of antibody drugs comprises two main stages: the upstream process for antibody cultivation and the downstream process for antibody extraction. The domestic bio industry has excellent technology for the upstream process. However, it relies on the technology of foreign countries to execute downstream process such as affinity chromatography. Furthermore, there are no domestic companies capable of producing the equipment for affinity chromatography. High gradient magnetic separation technology using a high temperature superconducting magnet as a novel antibody separation and purification technology is introduced to substitute for the traditional technology of affinity chromatography. A specially designed magnetic filter was equipped in the bore of the superconducting magnet enabling the continuous magnetic separation of nano-sized paramagnetic beads that can be used as affinity magnetic nano beads for antibodies. To optimize the magnetic filter that captures superparamagnetic nanoparticles effectively, various shapes and materials were examined for the magnetic filter. The result of magnetic separation experiments show that the maximum separation and recovery ratio of superparamagnetic nanoparticles are 99.2 %, and 99.07 %, respectively under magnetic field (3 T) and flow rate (600 litter/hr).

Hydrogen is an eco-friendly energy source and is being actively researched in various fields around the world, including mobility and aerospace. In order to effectively utilize hydrogen energy, it should be used in a liquid state with high energy storage density, but when hydrogen is stored in a liquid state, BOG (boil-off gas) is generated due to the temperature difference with the atmosphere. This should be re-condensed when considering storage efficiency and economy. In particular, large-capacity liquid hydrogen storage tank is required a gaseous helium circulation cooling system that cools by circulating cryogenic refrigerant due to the increase in heat intrusion from external air as the heat transfer area increases and the wide distribution of the gas layer inside the tank. In order to effectively apply the system, thermo-hydraulic analysis through process analysis is required. In this study, the condenser design and system characteristics of a gaseous helium circulation cooling system for BOG recondensation of a liquefied hydrogen storage tank were compared.

The Small Punch Test (SPT) was developed to evaluate the softening and embrittlement of materials such as power plants and nuclear fusion reactors by taking samples in the field. Specimens used in the SPT are very thin and small disk-shaped compared to specimens for general tensile test, and thus have economic advantages in terms of miniaturization and repeatability of the test. The cryogenic SPT can also be miniaturized and has a significantly lower heat capacity than conventional universal test machines. This leads to reduced cooling and warm-up times. In this study, the cryogenic SPT was developed by modifying the existing room temperature SPT to be cooled by liquid nitrogen using a super bellows and a thermal insulation structure. Since the cryogenic SPT was first developed, basic experiments were conducted to verify the effectiveness of it. For the validation, aluminum alloy 6061- T6 specimens were tested for mechanical properties at room and cryogenic temperature. The results of the corrected tensile properties from the SPT experiment results were compared with known room temperature and cryogenic properties. Based on the correction results, the effectiveness of the cryogenic SPT test was confirmed, and the surface fracture characteristics of the material were analyzed using a 3d image scanner. In the future, we plan to conduct property evaluation according to the development of various alloy materials.

Rare earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) materials have shown the possibility of high-temperature superconductor (HTS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnets due to their elevated transition temperature. While numerous MRI magnet designs have emerged, there is a growing emphasis on estimating the cost before manufacturing. In this paper, we propose two designs of REBCO whole-body MRI magnets: (1) 1.5 T and (2) 3.0 T, the standard center field choices for hospital use, and compare their costs based on conductor usage. The basis topology of the design method is based on discretized solenoids to enhance field homogeneity. Magnetic stress calculation is done to further prove the mechanical feasibility of their construction. Multi-width winding technique and outer notch structure are used to improve critical current characteristic. We apply consistent constraints for current margins, sizes, and field homogeneities to ensure an equal cost comparison. A graph is plotted to show the cost increase with magnetic flux growth. Additionally, we compare our designs to two additional MRI magnet designs from other publications with respect to the cost and magnetic flux, and present the linear relationship between them.