Earticle

This study explores the use of a bulk type high-temperature superconductors (HTS) as trapped field magnets in synchronous motors. A HTS bulk is examined for its ability to generate powerful magnetic fields over a permanent magnet and to eliminate the need for a direct power supply connection compared to a tape form of HTS. A 150 kW interior-mounted bulk-type superconducting synchronous motor is designed and analyzed. The A-H formulation is used to numerical analysis. The results show superior electrical performance and weight reduction when comparing the designed model with the conventional permanent magnet synchronous motor of the same topology. This study presents HTS bulk synchronous motor’s overall design process and highlights its potential in achieving relatively high power density than conventional permanent magnet synchronous motor.

This study investigated the effect of Kr ion beam irradiation on the superconducting properties of Nb thin films, which are known for their high superconducting transition temperature (𝑇c) at ambient pressure among single elements. Using the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) program, we analyzed the distribution of Kr ions and displacement per atom (DPA) after irradiation, finding a direct correlation between irradiation amount and DPA. In samples with stronger beam energy, deeper ion penetration, fewer ions remained, and higher DPA values were observed. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the Nb (110) peak at 38.5° weakened and shifted with increasing irradiation. 𝑇c decreased in all samples after irradiation, more significantly in those with higher beam energy. Irradiation raised resistivity of the film and lowered the residual-resistivity ratio (RRR). AC susceptibility measurements were also consistent with these findings. This research could potentially lead to more efficient and powerful superconducting devices and a better understanding of superconducting materials.

We performed angle-resolved Raman spectroscopy experiments on lead-doped and undoped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ(Bi2212) samples using a 660 nm laser and analyzed the Raman tensor of the phonon modes. The phonon mode was clearly observed at the 60, 103, and 630 cm-1 Raman shifts. The 60, 630 cm-1 peaks were only clearly observed when the incident and scattered light polarizations were configured to be parallel. The polarization angle dependence of the amplitude of the 60, 630 cm-1 peak on the parallel configuration shows a twofold symmetry; therefore, both peaks originate from Ag phonons and the crystal structure of Bi2212 should be considered orthorhombic. On the other hand, the 103 cm-1 peak is clearly observed in both parallel and perpendicular configurations. Remarkably, the off-diagonal component of the Raman tensor of the 103 cm-1 peak showed an anti-symmetry that could not be realized within the known crystal structure of Bi2212. The implications of our findings are discussed.

In this study, we explore the anisotropy of electron-phonon coupling (EPC) constant in epitaxially grown MgB2 films on c-axis oriented Al2O3, examining its correlation with the critical temperature (Tc) and local structural disorder assessed through polarized Raman scattering. Analysis of the polarized Raman spectra reveals angle-dependent variations in the intensity of the phonon spectra. The Raman active mode originating from the boron plane, along with two additional phonon modes from the phonon density of states (PDOS) induced by lattice distortion, was distinctly observed. Persistent impurity scattering, likely attributed to oxygen diffusion, was noted at consistent frequencies across all measurement angles. The EPC values derived from the primary Raman active phonon do not significantly vary with changing observation angles, followed by that the Tc values calculated using the Allen and Dynes formula remain relatively constant across all polarization angles. Although the E2g phonon mode plays a crucial role in the EPC mechanism, the determination of Tc values in MgB2 involves not only electron-E2g coupling but also contributions from other phonon modes.

Over the past four years, as the COVID-19 pandemic has struck the world, cold chain of COVID-19 vaccination has become a hot topic. In order to overcome the pandemic situation, it is necessary to establish a cold chain that maintains a low-temperature environment below approximately 203K (-70°C), which is the appropriate storage temperature for vaccines, from vaccine suppliers to local hospitals. Usually, cryocoolers are used to maintain low temperatures, but it is difficult for small-scale local distribution to have cryocooler due to budget and power supply issues. Accordingly, in this paper, a cryogenic TSU (Thermal storage unit) system for vaccination cold chain is designed that can maintain low temperatures below -70°C for a long time without using a cryocooler. The performance of the TSU system according to the energy storage material for using as TSU is experimentally evaluated. In the experiments, four types of cold storage materials were used: 20% DMSO aqueous solution, 30% DMSO aqueous solution, paraffin wax, and tofu. Prior to the experiment, the specific heat of the cold storage materials at low temperature were measured. Through this, the thermal diffusivity of the materials was calculated, and paraffin wax had the lowest value. As a result of the TSU system's low-temperature maintenance test, paraffin wax showed the best low-temperature maintenance performance. And it recorded a low-temperature maintenance time that was about 24% longer than other materials. As a result of analyzing the temperature trend by location within the TSU system, it was observed that heat intrusion from the outside was not well transmitted to the low temperature area due to the low thermal conductivity of paraffin wax. Therefore, in the TSU system for vaccine storage, it was experimentally verified that the lower the thermal diffusivity of the cold storage material, the better low temperature maintenance performance.

High-temperature superconducting rotors offer advantages in terms of output-to-weight ratio and efficiency compared to conventional phase conduction motors or generators. The rotor can be cooled by conduction cooling, which attaches a cryocooler, and by refrigerant circulation, which uses circulating liquid or gas neon, helium and hydrogen. Recent work has focused on environmental issues and on high-temperature superconducting motors cooled with liquid hydrogen that can be combined with fuel cells. However, to ensure smooth supply and return of the cryogenic cooling fluid, a cryogenic rotational coupling between the rotating and stationary parts is necessary. Additionally, the development of a sealing structure to minimize fluid leakage applicable to the coupling is essential. This study describes the design and performance evaluation of a non-contact sealing method, specifically a labyrinth seal, which avoids power loss and heat load caused by friction in contact sealing structures. The seal design incorporates a spiral flow path to reduce leakage using centrifugal force, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted to analyze the flow path and rotational speed. A performance evaluation device was configured and employed to evaluate the designed seal. The results of this study will be used to develop a cryogenic rotational coupling with supply and return flow paths for cryogenic applications.