According to the latest information from the Resources Library, David Dunand, professor of materials and engineering of materials at the McCormick School of Engineering in Northwestern University, worked with a Fermilab research team in succession with successful 3D deprivation technology in ceramic copper (YBCO).
Ybacuo superconducting suspension disc – 35 mm⌀, 8 mm high Ybco MINCE Thermal insulation layer and covers several protective layers
The study was published on February 24 in the journal Nature Communications.paperThe title is “Monocrystaling YBCO superconductor in my only crystal》。This technology should improve the performance of superconductors and reduce the manufacturing cost of superconductive equipment.
Ceramic superconductors limits
Ceramic copper cubes are high -temperature common superconductors because they operate at liquid nitrogen temperatures, which are cheaper and easier to use than metal superconductors at low temperature. However, the fragility of ceramic materials limits the diversity of their form conceptions. “The fragility of these materials prevents us from creating objects of complex forms that tend to optimize energy efficiency,” said Professor Dunand.
Technological breakthrough in 3D monocrystal 3D printing
The research team has developed a new 3D printing method to successfully manufacture monocrystalline YBCO superconductors. Ybco is a crystalline compound with high temperature superconductivity.
Figure 1: Additive and sintering ways
The research team first used the precursor powder available in the trade to prepare ink, then injected the ink into a syringe and used a 3D printing technology to create a microladice in Ybco polycristalline or another complex geometry. Thanks to the fusion growth method, the 3D printed material is converted into a monocrystalline structure on the printing component.
Figure 2: Monocrystalline growth
Traditionally, bulk superconductors are pressed by molds to form simple shapes, then the powder is merged by sintering or heating. The search team used inK containing YBCO powder to create complex shapes thanks to 3D printing technology for sintering.
In addition, researchers also managed to eliminate grain seals in the material – of tiny defects of the crystalline structure, which reduces the electrical and thermal conductivity of the material, thus improving the efficiency of the superconductive current.
Ybco monocrystal advantages and applications
Professor DunandExplain: “Monocrystalline objects can transport a higher current, thus offering a stronger power and making the magnets stronger. This will provide more energy to particle accelerators, such as Fermi Labs equipment, and the acceleration of particles can provide new discoveries to physicists.”
Figure 3: Superconductive characteristics
“We are developing the next generation of superconductive magnets that will stimulate scientific experiences in the coming decades. Thanks to this collaborative development technology, we allow previously unimaginable conceptions, thus improving our scientific research potential.”
Figure 4: 3D printed object with complex structure
Future research department
Professor Dunand said that the study is only the start of a more powerful and more efficient research on the superconductors. The research team plans to apply this method to other ceramic superconductive materials. He added: “We conducted this study using Ybco, the most common superconductor, but there are many other compounds that have higher performance and can be treated with our methods. The potential applications of these materials are very wide.”
