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Multifunctional Buffer Layers for 2G Wire by Low-Cost Solution Deposition—American Superconductor Corporation, Two Technology Drive, Westborough, MA  01581; 508-621-4265, www.amsuper.com 

Dr. Wei Zhang, Principal Investigator, wzhang@amsuper.com

Mr. Thomas M. Rosa, Business Official, trosa@amsuper.com

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-06ER84645

Amount:  $100,000

Second generation (2G), High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) coated conductors are needed to modernize and expand America’s electricity delivery system.  These conductors consist of a flexible metallic substrate and a superconductor layer, separated by intermediate oxide layers.  In practice, three distinct oxide layers, deposited by high vacuum deposition processes, have been used to provide the required properties; however, this multi-layer buffer architecture increases the complexity and cost of the final superconductor wire.  Therefore, new buffer materials and deposition processes – which simplify the structure, improve manufacturability, and reduce manufactoring cost – are needed to help insure that this emerging technology reaches the commercial market.  This project will develop and characterize a single, metal-oxide buffer layer that can replace two of the current oxide layers.  This new buffer layer will be deposited by a non-vacuum solution-based process that will result in reduced manufacturing cost.   It will be combined with a second solution-deposited cap layer that will further improve manufacturability and reduce the cost of 2G HTS wire.  Phase I will develop and characterize the new multifunctional buffer materials and demonstrate proof-of-principle for a scalable, solution-based deposition process.   An economic assessment of the new materials and process will be conducted to confirm the anticipated manufacturability and cost advantages. 

Commerical Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  A low-cost deposition process for high performance, multifunctional buffers for 2G HTS wire should result in a further reduction in manufacturing costs, leading to increased use of the wire in a broad range of anticipated applications.  These applications include power transmission cables, motors, generators, transformers, and fault current limiters.  These applications would result in a more efficient and secure electric power grid.