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Contents:
Topics- Report on the 18th International Superconductivity Industry Summit (ISIS-18)- New Project "Development of Advanced Nondestructive Biosensing Technology Using
High-Temperature Superconducting SQUID" has started- Superconductivity-related project has started under Funding Program for World-Leading
Innovative R&D in Science and Technology- Kick-off of New National Project- Yu Shiohara, Director General of SRL/ISTEC, received the Special Award of Superconductivity
Science and Technology from the Society of Non-Traditional Technology- Korea-Japan Superconductivity Workshop was held (2010 Korea-Japan Superconductivity
Workshop)- Completion of experimental apparatus for 200-meter superconducting DC cable- What’s New in the World of Superconductivity (March-May, 2010)
Feature Articles: Development of industrial superconducting devices- Trends in industrial superconducting-device technology- Progress in technical development of superconducting motors for electric vehicle- Present status of technical development of superconducting marine motors- Present status of design technology of superconducting rotating machines for wind generation- Status of dissemination of superconducting magnetic separator
Feature Articles: Overview of superconducting wire technology- Progress in medium and high magnetic field Ic technology for Y-based wires- Present status of high-speed fabrication of high-performance products of Y-based wires- Progress in high JC and low-loss technology of Bi-based wires- Progress in MgB2-wire processing technology- Trends in superconducting technology for nuclear fusion
Standardization Activities- JIS H 7305 “Critical-current measurement of Bi-based superconducting wires” and JIS H 7307:
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This work was subsidized by the Japan Keirin Association using
promotion funds from KEIRIN RACE
http://ringring-keirin.jp
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Report on the 18th International Superconductivity Industry Summit(ISIS-18)
Akihiko Tsutai, Director,
International Affairs Division, ISTEC
The 18th International Superconductivity Industry Summit (ISIS-18) was held from February 9 (Tue) to 11(Thu), 2010 at Wellington, New Zealand. While ISISs have been held by rotation in Japan, USA, andEurope so far, the conference was held in New Zealand, which newly joined as a member country last year,
for the first time. About 40 people participated in the conference from Japan, USA, Europe, New Zealand,
and Korea. The conference consisted of the Pre-ISIS meeting (February 9) in which general public wereallowed to participate and the ISIS meeting (February 10 and 11) in which only summit members
participated.
Other than the lecture by Shiohara, Director General of SRL, on the long-term prospects for the practicaluse of YBCO wires from the viewpoint of CO2 reduction, lectures were given by lecturers from USA, Europe,
New Zealand, and Korea. New Zealand is promoting the development and business focused on various
superconducting devices and systems, taking a strategy of aligning with overseas partners to take theiradvantages in areas outside their specialty. In the pre-ISIS meeting in which not only experts but generalpublic also participated, various presentations were made, ranging from basic educational lectures to highly
specialized ones on how to commercialize superconductivity in the future and how to create long-termbusiness chances.
In the ISIS sessions, following an opening greeting by the mayor of Wellington, where the conference
was held, lectures were given and views were exchanged regarding large-scale electric-power equipment,
electronics magnet, and future problems. From Japan, Yu Shiohara, Director General of SRL/ISTEC, madea national report on a general overview on superconductivity technology development in Japan, focusing on
the present status of the development of YBCO wire and future plans. In addition, Tsukushi Hara, General
Manager of R & D Center of Tokyo Electric Power Company, Keiichi Tanabe, Deputy Director General of
SRL/ISTEC, and Noboru Fujiwara, Director of Electric Power Equipment Division of SRL/ISTEC, reported
Japan's present status and future plans on the demonstration project for high-temperature superconducting
cables, development of superconducting electronics, and development of Y-based electric-power
equipment, respectively. In USA, two superconductor wire manufacturers, American Superconductor andSuperPower, are playing a central role in the development of YBCO wire in cooperation with national
laboratories and universities. In addition, equipment using superconducting wires is being actively
developed under SPI and SPE Programs. In the field of electronics also, development and business ofsuperconducting circuits and superconducting filters are being promoted aggressively. In Europe, efforts are
made for the practical use of MgB2, and the wires are already in the market and application to magnet isbeing promoted. In the field of HTS wire, application to motors, generators, and induction heaters are being
developed or commercialized. In New Zealand, at present, Roebel cable, with the aim of application toelectric power devices, is being developed and research and development for applying the supeconductors
to transformers is being implemented. A company selling HTS magnets as superconductor related products(HTS110) is actively working. In Korea, the Development of the Advanced Power system by Applied
Superconductivity technologies (DAPAS) Project, which started in 2001, has entered the final phase, and
the GENI Project led by Korean Electric Power also has started. Thus they are moving forward toaccelerate the practical use of high-temperature superconductors.
Since the new Obama administration started last year in USA, the smart-grid project aiming at a new
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electric-power grid with robustness, reliability, economic efficiency, high efficiency, and environmental
friendliness has been strongly promoted. This smart grid related movement is expanding all over the world.
In this smart-grid technology, the superconducting technology is expected to play an important role andpeople see new business opportunities in it. Energy security together with the global-warming issue is a big
problem to deal with all over the world. The energy-saving technology will bring about continuous economic
growth and the superconducting technology is a promising option for this end. All the countries of the world
are developing the superconductivity technology toward its expanding commercial application,
acknowledging that the technology is very important. This ISIS-18 conference was an epoch-making event
because it was held in New Zealand, which had newly joined as a member of the superconductivity club,and the author hopes that the circle of superconductivity, including its commercialization, will expand
worldwide further.
The author had a strong impression that public organizations, including the New Zealand government,
actively supported the ISIS-18 as the Minister of Trade attended the dinner of the conference and the Mayorof Wellington made an opening greeting before the ISIS-18 sessions. The local paper, The Dominion Post,
carried two superconductivity-related articles, including the ISIS-18 during the conference period, which
would represent New Zealand’s deep interest in the conference.
The next conference will be held in October, 2010 in Italy.

Photo Yu Shiohara, Director General of SRL/ISTEC, giving a lecture at ISIS-18(Published in a Japanese version in the March 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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New Project "Development of Advanced Nondestructive Biosensing
Technology Using High-Temperature Superconducting SQUID" hasstartedSeiji Adachi, Associate Director,
Electronic Devices Division, SRL/ISTECJapan Science and Technology Agency (JST) started the "Strategic creation and promotion of innovation(S-innovation*)" project in 2009. The purpose of this project is to establish innovation by consistentlong-term (maximum of 10 years) research and development for the basis of industrial creation. In this fiscal
year, four to five research and development plans on each of the four themes (iPS cell, organic electronics,
photonics polymer, and superconductivity) have been adopted through open symposium, public offering,
hearing, and selection. “Development of advanced nondestructive biosensing technology using
high-temperature superconducting SQUID,” which is one of the plans, has been started.
The outline of the project is as follows. A SQUID system with a high sensitivity and reliability
comparable to low-temperature SQUID is developed by bringing out the maximum potential ofhigh-temperature SQUID magnetic sensor making it possible to apply it in various industrial fields. For thispurpose, elemental technologies such as high-temperature superconducting SQUID utilizing multilayer
technology, high-sensitivity sensor system, and advanced magnetic imaging technology are
established. By integrating these elemental technologies, an advanced nondestructive biosensing
technology with unconventional high performance and new functions will be established.
Consequently, biosensing technology for medical diagnosis and regenerative medical techniques
will be developed in order to be applied to immunological tests, detection of cardiac-muscle cellgrown in vitro, magnetocardiographic detection, and ultra-low magnetic field MRI. In addition,
nondestructive inspection system is developed for batteries important in energy field, andanalysis and evaluation of water that plays an important role in agriculture. Through thedevelopment and evaluation of the prototypes of these devices, the basic technology forsuperconducting sensing equipment will be established, thereby realizing demonstration tests
aiming at practical use.
"S-innovation" is a project that brings practical use into view, and business companies and universities
are the members of the development team, which consists of Kyushu University, Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi
High-Technologies Corporation, Toyohashi University of Technology, Okayama University, and ISTEC.
Leaders of the research and the development teams are Prof. Keiji Enpuku (Kyushu University) and Dr.
Akihiko Kandori (Hitachi), respectively. The role of SRL/ ISTEC in the project is to upgrade the oxide
multilayer structure and processing technology of ramp-edge junction that have been accumulated inorder to develop optimum SQUID chips for various applications. In the past, application research for
high-temperature SQUID chips that are prepared by patterning processing of single-layer superconducting
thin films such as bicrystal junction and step-edge junction were conducted. In this project, SQUID having
a multilayer structure, which has not been used much, is adopted and an advanced system will be
developed taking into consideration the practical application in diversified fields.
* http://www.jst.go.jp/s-innova/index.html(Published in a Japanese version in the March 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)
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Superconductivity-related project has started under Funding Program
for World-Leading Innovative R&D in Science and Technology
Keiichi Tanabe, Deputy Director General,
SRL/ISTEC
Funding Program for World-Leading Innovative R&D on Science and Technology (FIRST) was budgetedin the first supplemental budget of the last fiscal year with the purpose of promoting research anddevelopment placing maximum priority on researchers by establishing a support system that allows
researchers to devote themselves to their work and provides researchers with flexible use of research funds
over multiple fiscal years in order to strengthen the research and development ability and international
competitiveness of Japan. In last September, the Council for Science and Technology Policy selected 30
researchers who will represent Japan and also selected research projects that aim at the top of the world. In
the selection, the theme “Search for new superconducting materials and related functional materials, andindustrial application of superconducting wires” with Prof. Hideo Hosono of Tokyo Institute of Technology as
the leader and Tanabe of ISTEC as a co-proposer was taken up. As a result of reduction of the total budget,the research plan and budget plan of each theme were appraised by an expert assembly of people as key
members, and the research funds and support organizations for each theme were decided on March 9 by
three top officials of the Cabinet Office and the expert assembly of people.
Prof. Hosono of Tokyo Institute of Technology, who has a prominent track record in the discovery andcommercialization of many new materials, including transparent semiconductors, is famous for his
discovery of iron-based superconductors in 2008, which belongs to a new group of high-temperature
superconducting materials. “Search for new superconducting materials and related functional materials,
and industrial application of superconducting wires” is a five-year (including 2009) project and the total
budget is ¥3.24 billion, including indirect costs. Tokyo Institute of Technology plays the role of a supportingorganization of this project. In this project, Prof. Hosono of Tokyo Institute of Technology serves as theleader, the ”Material Search Team” consisting of Professor Hosono’s team, Prof. Kageyama’s team from
Kyoto University, Prof. Yamanaka’s team from Hiroshima University, and Muromachi’s team from National
Institute for Materials Science search for functional materials around new high-temperature
superconducting materials; “Wire Application Team” consisting of Advanced Materials & Physics Division
and Electronics Devices Division of SRL/ ISTEC group and Kumakura’s group from NIMS promotes theapplication of iron-based materials and new superconducting materials discovered by the ”Material SearchTeam” to wires and electronic devices and development of wires using promising superconducting
materials. Kumakura’s group from NIMS studies the application of the powder-in-tube process (PIT), which
has been effective for Bi-based materials, and of MgB2 to wire manufacturing. ISTEC carries out theevaluation of flux-pinning characteristics and grain-boundary characteristics of thin films of these materials
and their application in devices. When a promising material for wires is discovered, it is scheduled that
ISTERA established by ISTEC and wire manufacturing companies last year takes the role of developing
thin-film-based wires in the latter half two years of the project.
Although the maximum Tc of iron-based superconducting materials is 55 K at present, which is lower thanthat of copper-oxide-based superconductors, it has advantageous properties including a critical field as highas 100 T, s-wave symmetry, and anisotropy = 2–5 smaller than those of Y-based copper oxides, and thefact that the undoped material is not an insulator but is a metal. Since there are several thousands ofmaterials that have a structure similar to iron-based superconducting materials, it is quite probable that a
new high-temperature superconducting material advantageous for industrial application with a Tc higher
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than the liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K), small anisotropy, and good grain-boundary characteristics,
which does not include harmful elements, can be found. This project starts with the development ofapplication technologies such as preparation of wires, thin films, and devices using the present iron-based
superconducting materials to accumulate basic technologies specific to this material group so that full-scale
development of wires and devices can be quickly implemented when a new promising superconducting
material is discovered by the material search team and intellectual properties including basic patents for thematerial and for the basic technology are secured resulting in leadership in the world.
(Published in a Japanese version in the April 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Kick-off of New National Project
Teruo Izumi, Senior Researcher
Industrial Superconductivity Technology Research Association (ISTERA)
The development group consisting of Tohoku University, Waseda University, Nagoya University, Kyushu
University and Industrial Superconductivity Technology Research Association (ISTERA) started newnational project. They are mainly working for the process development of 1 km long Y-systemsuperconducting tapes, which are expected for realization of the light weight motors with high performance.
If the magnetic coils using long Y-system superconducting tapes are realized, they could substitute for the
Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets. The ISTERA was established by ISTEC, Fujikura and SWCC Cable
Systems at September 24th, 2009 for the purpose of R&D of the tapes and the industrial applications.
In the Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet which is widely used, Dy element is substituted for the part of Nd site.
Both Dy and Nd, especially for Dy, belong to “rare metals”, and therefore, it is required to save the use of themetals. As one approach, it is recognized that the use of coil magnet made by Y-system superconducting
tapes is effective to reduce the weight of rare earth elements to 1/10 for the equivalent generated power. In
order to realize high efficient and high performance motor, long tapes in one piece is necessary for lower
connecting loss and higher mechanical strength of the coils. Then, the target of the project was set as aprocess development for the longer tape than 1 km with high Ic value of 300 A/cm-width. For the theme, thePLD and TFA-MOD processings are selected.
Additionally, the innovative processings, which is possible to reduce the use of rare earth further, and the
motor design suitable for the Y-system superconducting tapes are also developed in the project.
The success of the project leads to not only reduction of use of rare earth elements but realization of 1 kmlong tape with high performance. Furthermore, the direction for the future development of Y-systemsuperconducting rotating machine is also indicated.
(Published in a Japanese version in the June 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Yu Shiohara, Director General of SRL/ISTEC, received the Special Award
of Superconductivity Science and Technology from the Society of
Non-Traditional Technology
On April 13, 2010, Yu Shiohara, Director General of
SRL/ISTEC, received the special award of Superconductivity
Science and Technology from the Society of Non-Traditional
Technology at Tower Hall Funabori. This award is granted tothose who have shown eminent achievements in research onsuperconductivity science and technology. The 14th special
award was granted to Yu Shiohara and Akira Yamamoto(Head Professor, Cryogenics Science Center, High Energy
Accelerator Research Organization) who has contributed tothe development of superconductivity in the field ofMemorial lecture of Shiohara
accelerator science. Furthermore, Science and Technology
Award was granted to six groups. After the memorial lecture of the special award, award ceremony ofSuper Conductivity Science and Technology Award was held.
The award was granted to Shiohara for his contribution to the development of yttrium-based
superconducting wire and its application. He has led the research on yttrium-based superconducting wire
and its application in Japan for many years. He is also active internationally serving as a member of theassessment committee of a national project of the US Department of Energy. Therefore, the award was
granted because of such prominent contribution to the development of present superconductivity scienceand technology.
The theme of his memorial lecture was “Development of yttrium-based superconducting wire and its
application.” At first, he introduced the trends in the global environmental issues led by politicians in USA
and Japan. Temperature rise due to greenhouse gases including CO2 at global environmental level was
explained and reduction targets of major countries by 2020 were shown. Relating to the reduction
measures for CO2 in Japan, it was particularly pointed out that superconductivity technology can contributeto the development of wind-power generation and electric-power transmission cables. Then, relating to theachievements of the national project,“Technological Development of Yttrium-based Superconducting
Power Equipment,” the status of the development ofsuperconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) system,
superconducting
electric-power
cable,
superconducting
transformers, and yttrium-based superconducting wires wereintroduced. He showed that the length and characteristics of wires
have reached the level at which the development of devices canbe started, thereby leading to further development project for
full-scale devices. Finally, he emphasized that he would promote,in the future, the research on superconducting technology that
contributes to solve environmental and energy problems as asolution to Japan’s most important political issues and closed his
lecture by commenting that his achievements owe to the Shiohara receiving the Special Award
cooperation of member companies and universities of ISTEC.

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Commemorative photo of the awardees of the 14th Superconductivity Science and Technology Award(Editorial Office)(Published in a Japanese version in the May 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Korea-Japan Superconductivity Workshop was held
(2010 Korea-Japan Superconductivity Workshop)
Noboru Fujiwara, Director
Electric Power Equipment Division, SRL/ISETECOn April 15 (Thu), 2010, the 1st Korea-Japan Superconductivity Workshop was held in Changwon, Korea.
Changwon is a city with a population of about 500,000 located west of the Pusan Airport (about 30 min bycar) and is famous as the city where Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) is situated.
In the workshop, researchers of Korea and Japan joined together to exchange high-level and frankinformation aiming at early commercialization of superconducting electric devices. Recently, in bothcountries, results of research relating to the application of high-temperature superconducting wires toelectric devices such as motors have been actively reported and research plans are being intensively
scheduled.

Conference room where the oral session was held

About 50 people participated in the workshop from Japan and Korea. There were 24 presentations in
total including oral and poster sessions, and ardent discussions took place.
From Japan, fourteen people attended the workshop from ISTEC, Tokyo Electric Power Co., cablemanufacturers, and universities. They reported on latest research results of “M-PACC Project” and“Yokohama Project” in which demonstration test of superconducting is scheduled at Asahi Substation ofTokyo Electric Power Co. Furthermore, ISTERA (Industrial Superconductivity Technology Research
Association) reported on a new project for the development of YBCO wire with a length of 1 km andresearch on HTS motors.
Korea reported on projects for superconducting power cable, HTS fault current limiter, SMES
(superconducting magnetic energy storage), smart-grid project, as well as the present status of thedevelopment of coated conductors. Specific subjects included a plan to connect actual substations(distance: 3 km) with superconducting cables, a project for demonstration test of superconducting cables aspart of the test to introduce a smart grid in Jeju, the results of the development of a 1-MW motor and plan forthe development of a 5-MW motor, and results of the research on wires by EDBC process (production
capacity: 0.9 km/day with 100 A/4–mm width). Extraordinary enthusiasm of related Korean people forcommercialization and early practical realization was strongly felt.
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On April 16 (Fri), we visited KERI and CAST as part of an optional tour. We observed the research site ofsuperconductivity, high-voltage test facilities, and research on normal induction motors.
Since CCA2010 is going to be held in Fukuoka from October 28 to 30, it was decided that the next
workshop will be held on the preceding October 27 in Fukuoka.

At the entrance of the hotel where the workshop was held

Reference:
1. KERI：Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute http://www.keri.re.kr/english/
2. CAST：Center for Applied Superconductivity Technology http://www.cast.re.kr/english/e_index.html
3. CCA：International Workshop on Coated Conductors for Applications
http://www.cca2010.org/index.html(Published in a Japanese version in the May 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Completion of experimental apparatus for 200-meter superconducting
DC cable
Sataro Yamaguchi, Professor
Superconductivity/Sustainable Energy Center
Chubu University
1. Introduction
Chubu University built an experimental apparatus for a 20-meter class cable in a five-year project fundedby the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, which started in 2005, and multiple
ideas have been tested to confirm the basic performance. Fortunately, this apparatus is the world’s first
apparatus as a DC superconducting power-transmission system using high temperature superconducting
tape conductor and the initial targets have almost been accomplished. On the basis of the research results,
the construction of the test apparatus for the 200-meter class cable was started in 2008 using an aid from
NanoOpto Energy Inc. and completed in December 2009. Cooling and current tests have been
implemented in the period from January to March 2010. This paper is a preliminary report that outlines thehistory of the construction and characteristics of the apparatus.
2. Completion and characteristics of the experimental apparatus for 200-m class cables
The process of designing the apparatus was started in July 2008 and various devices were ordered. The
laboratory building was completed in July 2009. The assembly of the experimental apparatus was started inAugust and the setup was completed in December. Figure 1 shows the layout in the completed laboratorybuilding. Electricity is transmitted between Terminal A and Terminal B. One unit of Stirling refrigerator (1 kW
at 77 K) made by Aisin Seiki Co. is used. The circulation pump was also made by Aisin Seiki Co.

端末A
Terminal

A

端末B
Terminal B
terminal base

端末架台
terminal base

端末架台

refrigeration
冷凍循環装置circulationequipment

insulated double-tube,

断熱2重管

vacuum evacuator

真空排気装置Fig. 1 Layout inside the laboratory
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Figure 2 shows the double-tube that contains the superconducting cables outside the laboratory building.
Major features of the experimental apparatus are as follows:
1) The outer tube of the thermally insulated double-tube is a steel tube, which is straight.
2) Dynamic bellows are used to absorb heat contraction of the SC cable, and the terminal cryostat is mademovable.
3) To reduce the heat penetration at the end, a Peltier current lead is used.
4) To make the electric current flowing through the HTS tape wires uniform, current lead parts are divided
for each tape wire.
Since the superconducting cable is pulled in after the insulated double-tube is fabricated, the laying
operation differs from the conventional method. The operation of pulling in the cable is shown in animatedfilm. Because there is no AC loss and the heat penetration into the double-tube is low, the circulation ofliquid nitrogen was targeted at as low as 10 L/min. For this reason, the circulation system was designed withlow pressure loss.

Operation for pulling in the cable (animated film)

Fig. 2 Insulated double-tube(outside the laboratory building)

The evacuation test and the cooling down were completed in one week. Then the refrigeration circulation
test was conducted for about a month so that stable circulation was obtained at about 10 L/min. After that,current test up to 1.2 kA was implemented, and the temperature was raised from March 8. Various types oftests are scheduled for 2010.
Reference:
1) H. Hamabe et al, IEEE Trans. Applied Supercond. 17(2) (2007) 1722-1725.及び Y. Nasu et al, Proc.
ICEC/ICMC, Seoul, Korea (2008) 489-494.
2) S. Yamaguchi et al, J. Physics, Conference Series 97 (2008) 012290.
3) Y. Ivanov et al, Trans. Cryogenic Eng., Conf. vol. 55, (2010).
(Published in a Japanese version in the May 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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What’s New in the World of Superconductivity(March, April & May, 2010)

Akihiko Tsutai, Director
International Affairs Division, ISTEC

Award
Industrial Research Ltd. (March 9, 2010)
Two scientists at Industrial Research Ltd. (New Zealand), Dr. Bob Buckley and Dr. Jeff Tallon, havereceived the inaugural Prime Minister’s Science Prize for their efforts in the development of high-temperature
superconductivity technology as a new, high-value industry for New Zealand. The prize includes an award of
NZD $500,000, of which $400,000 will be used by IRL for the continued development of high-temperature
superconductivity. Dr. Buckley commented, “Winning this award shows that science is now being recognized
for the contribution it makes to New Zealand’s future economic well-being. While we are proud of thescientific achievements we have made, the real payoff for New Zealand will be witnessed in the next decadeas HTS technology starts to make an impact in the global marketplace.”
Source:“IRL scientists scoop PM’s Science Prize”
Industrial Research Ltd. press release (March 9, 2010)
http://www.irl.cri.nz/newsroom/media-release/irl-scientists-scoop-pms-science-prize
Nexans (April 1, 2010)
Nexans has won the first ever Energy Master Award 2010 for its superconducting current limiter; theproduct won first prize in the “Use of Innovative Technology” category for its application in the internal power
supply of a power plant in Germany. Part of the reason why the award was given to Nexans is the potential
application of the fault current limiter as a component in smart grids and the field of CO2 separation. The
final decision regarding the award was made by the public through online voting. Dr. Joachim Bock,
Managing Director of Nexans Superconductors, commented, “I am delighted that the use of our current
limiter has generated so much interest and that so many people decided in favor of our product.”
Source:“Nexans wins Energy Master Award 2010 for its Superconducting Current Limiter”
Nexans press release (April 1, 2010)
http://www.nexans.com/eservice/Corporate-en/navigatepub_142482_-25031/Nexans_wins_Energy_Maste
r_Award_2010_for_its_Super.html

Superconductor Technologies Inc. (May 18, 2010)
Superconductor Technologies Inc. (STI) has received the MICO “Bright Lights Innovation Award” inrecognition of its potentially disruptive and market-changing intellectual property (IP). The award waspresented at MDB Capital Group’s inaugural Bright Lights Conference, which showcased 50 of the mostinnovative public companies ranking in the 90th percentile for technology leadership from among over 1,600
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Date of Issue: July 15, 2010

Superconductivity Web21
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Published by International Superconductivity Technology Center
1-10-13, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0062, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3536-7283, Fax: +81-3-3536-7318

small cap companies that have been granted U.S. patents. Jeff Quiram, STI's president and chief executive
officer, commented, “We are making solid progress on our strategy to align our IP and HTS material
deposition processes with our volume manufacturing expertise to enter attractive new global markets. We
are honored to receive the MICO award, which recognizes our significant IP capabilities.”
Source:“STI Receives MICO Innovation Award at MDB’s Bright Lights Intellectual Property Conference”
Superconductor Technologies Inc. press release (May 18, 2010)
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=70847&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1428213&highlightPower
American Superconductor Corporation (April 1, 2010)
American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) has received an order from Vestas Australian Wind
Technology Pty Ltd. for a large D-VAR-based grid interconnection system consisting of 24 D-VAR modules
integrated with external smart-switched capacitor banks and proprietary AMSC controls. The order is thelargest order for a grid interconnection system that AMSC has received to date. Vestas intends to use thesystem to meet local grid interconnection requirements for a 206 MW wind farm that is being constructed inWestern Australia; upon completion (by the end of 2011), the wind farm will be larger than any wind farmpresently operating in Australia. The equipment is scheduled for delivery within 12 months. Timothy Poor,
Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development at AMSC, commented, "Australia wasamong the first countries to adopt dynamic voltage control requirements for wind farms connecting to theutility grid. We expect that additional countries around the world will adopt similar strict dynamic voltage
control requirements to more effectively control power flows stemming from the utility-scale wind farms andsolar power plants that are being installed around the world. This, in turn, will help expand our addressable
market." The D-VAR system ordered by Vestas will be the eighth system from AMSC to be deployed inAustralia; together, these systems are responsible for connecting nearly 600 MW of wind power toAustralia’s power grid, representing more than one-third of the country’s present wind power capacity.
Source:“AMSC Receives Its Largest Grid Interconnection System Order to Date”
American Superconductor Corporation press release (April 1, 2010)
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=86422&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1408854&highlight
American Superconductor Corporation (April 6, 2010)
American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) has received an initial order worth more than US $20
million from Ghodawat Energy Pvt. Ltd. (GEPL, India) for the supply of full wind turbine electrical control
systems. Delivery of the control systems is scheduled to begin during the middle of the present calendar
year and will be completed by the end of calendar year 2013. The order is the sixth volume production order
for wind turbine power electronic components or systems that AMSC has received in the last 12 months.
GEPL has begun manufacturing doubly fed induction wind turbines that were designed by and licensed fromAMSC Windtec™, a wholly owned subsidiary of AMSC. Greg Yurek, AMSC founder and Chief Executive
Officer, commented, "In India, wind power is projected to continue to account for an increasing percentage ofthe country's energy mix. Ghodawat is capitalizing on this opportunity by producing towers, developing windfarms and - now - manufacturing and deploying entire wind turbine systems. With its years of industry
experience and proven wind turbine technology from AMSC, we believe Ghodawat is positioned to be a

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Date of Issue: July 15, 2010

Superconductivity Web21
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Published by International Superconductivity Technology Center
1-10-13, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0062, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3536-7283, Fax: +81-3-3536-7318

winner in the market." GEPL recently completed the construction of a wind turbine production plant with anestimated annual output of 500 MW.
Source:“AMSC Receives $20 Million Order for Wind Turbine Electrical Control Systems from India’s Ghodawat
Energy Pvt. Ltd.”
American Superconductor Corporation press release (April 6, 2010)
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=86422&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1409747&highlight
SuperPower (April 6, 2010)
SuperPower and the University of Houston have completed two licensing agreements covering
intellectual property (IP) rights for the continuation of SuperPower’s development efforts in the area of
second-generation HTS wire. The first agreement covers IP for new developments in 2G HTS wire presently
covered under a Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA) between the two parties. The second agreement
covers a fundamental composition of matter patent for high-temperature superconductors, discovered by
Paul Chu at the University of Houston in 1987. Arthur P. Kazanjian, general manager of SuperPower,commented, “For the past several years we have partnered closely with the Texas Center for
Superconductivity and the University of Houston on our wire development efforts. The execution of both theSponsored Research Portfolio License Agreement and the Chu Patent License Agreement with theuniversity enables SuperPower to continue to advance in the development of world-class 2G HTS wire for abroad range of applications by providing rights to the basis intellectual property in the field.” In 2009
SuperPower separated its continuing wire developmental program from its manufacturing operation, withfive scientists and engineers working under the direction of Dr. Venkat Selvamanickam at the University of
Houston and the manufacturing organization and company headquarters remaining in Schenectady.
Source:“SuperPower and the University of Houston Sign High-temperature Superconductor Wire Licensing
Agreements”
SuperPower press release (April 6, 2010)
http://www.superpower-inc.com/content/superpower-and-university-houston-sign-high-temperature-superc
onductor-wire-licensing-agreem
Zenergy Power plc (April 14, 2010)
Zenergy Power plc has successfully completed the development of a high-speed ink jet printing
process required for the low-cost production of its second-generation HTS wire. Together with the recent
qualification of Honeywell Specialty Materials as an industrial supplier, this achievement marks the end of
the R&D phase; once qualification of the industrial supply of metal tapes from ThyssenKrupp VDM GmbHhas been completed (during the second half of 2010), Zenergy will commence the industrial scaling of its
production of second-generation HTS wires. The new high-speed ink jet printing process will enablesignificant cost savings by significantly increasing the speed at which active chemical layers can be applied
to metal substrates (reducing processing times and increasing output), enabling a more consistent
application of chemical layers (improving wire quality and reducing scrap rates, which in turn will increase
production yields and lower costs), and enabling consistent chemical layers to be applied to wider metaltapes (significantly increasing production volumes). This process, once scaled, should enable theproduction of the lowest-cost superconductor wire available, which in turn will be even cheaper than
traditional copper wire.
Source:“2G Development Milestone Ink Jet Processing and Continuous Wire Processing”

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Date of Issue: July 15, 2010

Superconductivity Web21
Superconductivity

Published by International Superconductivity Technology Center
1-10-13, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0062, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3536-7283, Fax: +81-3-3536-7318

Zenergy Power plc press release (April 14, 2010)
http://www.zenergypower.com/images/press_releases/2010/2010-04-14-2G-Development-Milestone.pdf
Nexans (April 19, 2010)
Nexans, Endesa S.A. (a Spanish energy provider), and the ICMAB-CSIC Institute for Materials
Sciences have reported the successful conclusion of the Endesa Supercable project, which set a new world
record: in December 2009, the single-phase, medium-voltage cable (24 kV) carried a current of 3,200 A
under laboratory conditions, almost 10 % higher than any installed medium-voltage cable worldwide. During
ten load cycles of 24 hours, the rated current was applied for 8 hours per cycle while continuously
subjecting the cable to twice the nominal voltage. The cable successfully withstood various test protocols
involving varying loads and voltages exceeding the nominal value. As a next step, the project partners areplanning to install the 30-m long demonstration cable, along with its associated terminations and cryogenic
equipment, in a power grid.
Source:“Superconducting medium voltage cable from Nexans conducts record current: 3,200 amperes during load
cycle tests”
Nexans press release (April 19, 2010)
http://www.nexans.com/eservice/Corporate-en/navigatepub_142482_-25272/Superconducting_medium_v
oltage_cable_from_Nexans_c.html
American Superconductor Corporation (April 21, 2010)
American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) has received another follow-on order for 30 sets ofwind turbine power electronic components from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI, South Korea). The
components will be used in 1.65-MW wind turbines designed by AMSC Windtec™, a wholly owned
subsidiary of AMSC. AMSC expects to complete shipments for this new order by June 30, 2010. Greg Yurek,
AMSC founder and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "With a strong business plan and flawless
execution, HHI is building a vibrant, multi-national renewable energy business. This latest order is further
evidence of the rapid traction the company's 1.65 MW wind turbines are gaining in the global marketplace.
We look forward to continuing and strengthening our strategic alliance with HHI in the years ahead." HHI has
already received orders for its 1.65-MW wind turbines from Korea, the United States and Pakistan.
Source:“AMSC Receives Follow-on Wind Turbine Power Electronics Order from Hyundai Heavy Industries”
American Superconductor Corporation press release (April 21, 2010)
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=86422&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1415517&highlight
American Superconductor Corporation (May 13, 2010)
American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) has announced its fourth quarter and full year
financial results for fiscal 2009, ending March 31, 2010. Revenues for the fourth quarter increased by 43 %to US $87.6 million, compared with $61.2 million for the same period in the previous fiscal year. The grossmargin for the fourth quarter was 37.8 %, compared with 32.6 % for the same period in the previous fiscal
year. The net income and the non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter were $4.9 million and $8.4 million,
respectively, compared with $1.3 million and $4.1 million, respectively, for the same period in the previous
fiscal year.
Revenues for full-year fiscal 2009 increased by 73 % to $316.0 million, compared with $182.8 million
for full-year fiscal 2008. The gross margin was 36.4 %, compared with 28.4 % for fiscal 2008. The net
income and the non-GAAP net income for the full year were $16.2 million and $31.7 million, respectively,

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Date of Issue: July 15, 2010

Superconductivity Web21
Superconductivity

Published by International Superconductivity Technology Center
1-10-13, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0062, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3536-7283, Fax: +81-3-3536-7318

compared with $16.6 million and $3.1 million, respectively, for fiscal 2008.
Greg Yurek, AMSC's founder and chief executive officer, commented, "AMSC… set new records forrevenues and gross margin in the fourth fiscal quarter, generated better-than-expected net income andclosed a steady stream of large wind power and power grid orders. Entering fiscal 2010, we haveapproximately 90 percent of our forecasted revenues in backlog, which gives us a high degree of confidence
we will grow revenues by more than 30 percent year over year. We also expect further increases in
productivity in fiscal 2010. Coupled with our strong forecasted revenue growth, we expect these productivity
gains will drive at least a 70 percent increase in non-GAAP earnings year-over-year. We expect that thisgrowth in non-GAAP earnings will translate into net positive cash flow for the year even as we continue toinvest aggressively for continued growth in future years."
As of March 31, 2010, AMSC had $155.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities,
and restricted cash and a backlog of approximately $588 million, of which more than $380 million should berecognized as revenue in fiscal year 2010.
Source:“AMSC Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2009”
American Superconductor Corporation press release (May 13, 2010)
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=86422&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1426357&highlight
American Superconductor Corporation (May 17, 2010)
American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) has received a new multi-year order worth
approximately US $445 million from Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. (Sinovel, China) for electrical components
to be used in Sinovel’s 1.5-MW wind turbines. Shipments of the components are scheduled to being in early2011 and will continue for a period of 30 months. AMSC is already shipping components to Sinovel under amulti-year contract that ends in early 2011. Greg Yurek, founder and chief executive officer of AMSC,
commented, "We are proud to extend our strategic business alliance with Sinovel, which has provenconsistently to be a leader in wind turbine technology. Since starting up production in 2006, Sinovel has
grown more rapidly than any wind turbine manufacturer in the world. This new order will support Sinovel's
continued production of SL1500s [the brand name for Sinovel’s 1.5-MW wind turbine]. At the same time,
Sinovel plans to increase production of its 3-MW wind turbines, which are installed and operating in China's
first offshore wind farm and also being marketed for onshore applications. In addition, Sinovel expects to
install its 5-MW prototype by the end of 2010. These higher power systems, which Sinovel developed
utilizing AMSC Windtec(TM) designs, are also equipped with AMSC's power electronics."
Source:“AMSC Receives $445 Million Multi-Year Order From Sinovel Wind”
American Superconductor Corporation press release (May 17, 2010)
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=86422&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1427558&highlight
American Superconductor Corporation (May 25, 2010)
American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) and Sinovel Wind Group Co. Ltd. (Sinovel, China)
have announced an expansion of their strategic partnership to include additional wind turbine designs forboth onshore and offshore applications. Under this agreement, AMSC Windtec™ (a wholly owned
subsidiary of AMSC) will design and jointly develop a range of advanced multi-megawatt-scale wind turbines,
which Sinovel plans to market and sell worldwide. Volume production of these turbines is expected to begin
by the end of 2012. In addition, Sinovel will purchase the core electrical components for these machinesfrom AMSC. At present, Sinovel is China’s largest wind turbine manufacturer and the third-largest windturbine manufacturer in the world, based on market share.

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Summer, 2010

Date of Issue: July 15, 2010

Superconductivity Web21
Superconductivity

Published by International Superconductivity Technology Center
1-10-13, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0062, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3536-7283, Fax: +81-3-3536-7318

Source:“AMSC and Sinovel Expand Strategic Partnership”
American Superconductor Corporation press release (May 25, 2010)
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=86422&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1430702&highlight

Medical
Medical College of Wisconsin (April 5, 2010)
A collaboration among the Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee), the Children’s Hospital of
Wisconsin (Milwaukee), University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Hope Children’s Hospital (Chicago) is
using an ultrasensitive SQUID detector to measure the magnetic signals produced by fetal hearts to screen
for rare but very serious fetal heart arrhythmias. The translational research problem is enabling pediatriccardiologists and obstetricians from around the U.S. to obtain additional data and to provide the besttreatment options for their patients. The screening test is safe, non-invasive, and takes about one hour toperform. The SQUID detector has already been used to examine heartbeat irregularities in more than 300
patients. The team is now planning to construct a mobile detector that will require a smaller SQUID sensor,
a special shield to block magnetic interference from the environment, and a truck large enough to carry thedevice. The unit is expected to be ready for testing within about one year.
Source:“Ultrasensitive detector pinholes big problem in tiny fetal heart”
Medical College of Wisconsin press release (April 5, 2010)
http://www.med.wisc.edu/news-events/news/ultrasensitive-detector-pinpoints-big-problems-in-tiny-fetal-hear
ts/26976
TechPrecision Corporation (May 24, 2010)
TechPrecision Corporation, a manufacturer of large-scale, high-precision machined metal
fabrications, has announced that one of its customers, Still River Systems, Inc., has successfully extracted aclinical beam from the first production unit of the world’s smallest high-energy proton therapy accelerator.
This achievement will enable the installation of Still River Systems’ Monarch250 proton beam radiotherapy
system at the Siteman Cancer Center (Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of
Medicine, St. Louis) to proceed. With this accelerator, Still River Systems plans to use the benefits conferredby superconducting technology to increase access to proton beam therapy, providing a cost-effective
alternative to existing proton therapy systems. TechPrecision’s wholly owned subsidiary, Rancor, Inc., hasbeen collaborating with Still River Systems on the development of an efficient manufacturing process for
producing the Monarch250 proton beam radiotherapy system and has an exclusive manufacturing andsupply agreement with Still River Systems to provide key components. Upon FDA approval of theradiotherapy system, this agreement could generate approximately US $30 million in revenue for Rancor
over the next three years.
Source:“TechPrecision Corporation Announces Achievement of Important Product Manufacturing Milestone by Still
River Systems, Inc.”
TechPrecision Corporation press release (May 24, 2010)
http://www.techprecision.com/press_releases.html

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Summer, 2010

Date of Issue: July 15, 2010

Superconductivity Web21
Superconductivity

Published by International Superconductivity Technology Center
1-10-13, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0062, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3536-7283, Fax: +81-3-3536-7318

Quantum Electronics
National Institute of Standards and Technology (April 15, 2010)
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a single photon
detector capable of counting individual photons of light travelling through fiber optic cables with an efficiency
of approximately 99 %. The detector could enable improvements in electronic communication security,
quantum computing and optical power measurements. Basically, the detector utilizes a superconductor tofunction as an ultra-sensitive thermometer. Individual photons hitting the detector increase the temperature,
thereby increasing electrical resistance, by minute amounts; the detector registers these increases as
indicating the presence of a photon. This methodology enables extremely low levels of light to be measured
with great accuracy. The research team is presently developing evaluation techniques for measuring thedetector’s abilities, as all presently available methods are inadequate.
Source:“NIST detector counts photons with 99 percent efficiency”
National Institute of Standards and Technology press release (April 15, 2010)
http://www.nist.gov/eeel/optoelectronics/detector_041310.cfm
National Institute of Standards and Technology (April 28, 2010)
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a “dimmer
switch” for linking a quantum bit (qubit) and a quantum bus in a superconducting circuit. This control device,created from a radio-frequency SQUID, allows interactions between the above-mentioned components tobe “tuned” from 100 MHz to nearly zero, potentially advancing the development of a practical quantum
computer by allowing developers to flexibly control the interactions between multiple circuit elements in an
intricate network. While other research groups have demonstrated switches for two or three
superconducting qubits coupled together, the NIST switch is the first to produce predictable quantum
behavior over time with the controllable exchange of individual microwave photons between a qubit and aquantum bus. The group’s research was published in Physical Review Letters.
Source:“NIST develops ‘dimmer switch’ for superconducting quantum computing”
National Institute of Standards and Technology press release (April 28, 2010)
http://www.nist.gov/eeel/quantum/qubit_042710.cfm

Communication
Superconductor Technologies Inc. (May 4, 2010)
Superconductor Technologies Inc. (STI) has announced its first-quarter fiscal results for the period
ending April 3, 2010. Total net revenues increased to US $3.4 million, compared with $1.7 million for thesame quarter in the previous fiscal year. The net commercial product revenue was $2.4 million, comparedwith $1.1 million for the same period in the previous fiscal year. Meanwhile, government and other contract
revenue totaled $1.1 million, compared with $546,000 for the same period in the previous fiscal year. The
net loss for the quarter was $2.5 million, compared with a net loss of $3.5 million for the same period in theprevious fiscal year. Jeff Quiram, STI's president and chief executive officer, commented, “Our first quarter

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Summer, 2010

Date of Issue: July 15, 2010

Superconductivity Web21
Superconductivity

Published by International Superconductivity Technology Center
1-10-13, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0062, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3536-7283, Fax: +81-3-3536-7318

revenues of $3.4 million were more than double the 2009 first quarter and reflect a more robust businessenvironment compared to the same period last year. We are also encouraged by our backlog level atquarter end, as our wireless customers continue to focus on improving network performance… In addition,
our 2G HTS wire initiative is progressing as planned. After successfully producing wire in one-meter lengths,
we are now completing the design of our second-generation wire deposition machine, which will produce
50-meter lengths. We have established our initial product roadmap and are preparing our facility for 2G
HTS wire production.” As of April 3, 2010, STI had $8.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and acommercial product backlog of $724,000.
Source:“Superconductor Technologies Inc. Reports First Quarter 2010 Results”
Superconductor Technologies Inc. press release (May 4, 2010)
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=70847&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1421772&highlight

Accelerator
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies Inc. (April 5, 2010)
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies Inc. (BEST) has received a contract worth $2.4 million fromthe Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) for a turnkey beamline. The new beamline will be used
for high performance X-ray absorption and diffraction experiments. Wolfgang Diete, Director of BEST's
Synchrotron & Beamline Business, commented, "We are very proud that LNLS has selected BEST basedon our technological experience and our good reputation for delivering state-of-the-art equipment at othersynchrotron facilities worldwide on schedule and with excellent performance. This project is very importantfor LNLS and their user community, but also for our future business. Brazil has already started planning its
next generation synchrotron facility for the growing demand for synchrotron radiation in the scientificcommunity. We expect to establish a good partnership with LNLS which will qualify us for future projects aswell."
Source:“Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies Awarded Contract by Brazilian Synchrotron Facility for Turn-Key
Beamline”
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies Inc. press release (April 5, 2010)
http://www.bruker-est.com/pr100405.html
RI Research Instruments (April 21, 2010)
RI Research Instruments, a majority-owned subsidiary of Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies
Inc. (BEST), has been awarded a US $7.7 million contract from the U.S. Department of Energy’s
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) for a turnkey 200-MeV electron injection linear accelerator (linac),which will be used in BNL’s next-generation National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS-II). The contract
includes the engineering, manufacturing, integration, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the linac.
Delivery of the linac to BNL is scheduled to occur in January 2012. The construction of the NSLS-II itself is
expected to be completed in 2015 and will be capable of producing X-rays that are more than 10,000 times
brighter than the current NSLS. Dr. Michael Peiniger, Managing Director of RI Research Instruments,
commented, "This award represents the continuation of our business in linear electron accelerator systems
and particle accelerating products worldwide. Similar electron linear accelerators have been supplied tomajor research laboratories in Switzerland, Great Britain, Australia, Germany and are under production for

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Summer, 2010

Date of Issue: July 15, 2010

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Published by International Superconductivity Technology Center
1-10-13, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0062, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3536-7283, Fax: +81-3-3536-7318

Taiwan and The Netherlands. We are very pleased to have been selected by BNL for the NSLS-II Project,which is expected to have world-leading performance."
Source:“BEST Subsidiary RI Research Instruments Awarded $7.7M Linear Accelerator Contract from DOE
Brookhaven National Laboratory”
RI Research Instruments press release (April 21, 2010)
http://www.bruker-est.com/pr100421.html

Basic
Rice University (May 28, 2010)
Dr. Qimiao Si and colleagues at Rice University, Zhejiang University (China), the University ofCalifornia at Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the State University of New York at
Buffalo (SUNY-Buffalo) have reported new evidence of the quantum features of pnictides, providing insight
into the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity. Dr. Qimiao Si at Rice, explained, "In correlated
electron systems like the pnictides and their parent compounds, the electrons are caught in a competition
between forces. On the one hand, they are compelled to move around, and on the other, they are forced toarrange themselves in a particular way because of their desire to repel one another. In this study, we varied
the ratio between these competing forces in an effort to find the tipping point where one takes over from theother." To examine what occurs when the kinetic energy is decreased by expanding the distance between
atoms in a material’s lattice, the group used iron oxychalcogenide, which is a layered material with a patternsimilar to that of iron pnictides but with a larger distance between iron atoms. Subsequent testing confirmed
the group’s theoretical predictions, i.e., that a slight expansion of the iron lattice pushed the system into a
Mott insulating state. These results provide further evidence that undoped iron pnictide parent compounds
are on the verge of Mott localization. The group’s research was published online in the journal PhysicalReview Letters.
Source:“Zeroing in on quantum effects”
Rice University press release (May 28, 2010)
http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=14345(Published in a Japanese version in the July 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

Top of Superconductivity Web21

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Date of Issue: July 15, 2010

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Superconductivity

Published by International Superconductivity Technology Center
1-10-13, Shinonome, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0062, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3536-7283, Fax: +81-3-3536-7318

Feature Articles: Development of industrial superconducting devices- Trends in industrial superconducting-device technology Hiroyuki Ohsaki, Professor
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences
The University of Tokyo
While various types of superconducting devices have been developed aiming at applications in a wide
range of industrial fields, this paper focuses on superconducting rotating machines whose research anddevelopment has been widely promoted recently. Initially, high-temperature superconducting motors
attracted attention because it was thought to be a promising technology for reducing electrical loss of
motors which consume more than 60 % of the industrial electric demand. The possibility of the applicationof superconductivity technology to large-scale motors mainly used for pumps and fans was investigated
and the research and development was centered mainly in USA. Then, the target moved to low-speed,large-torque motors used for propelling ships, and the development and tests of large-scale motors wereconducted mainly in USA and Germany. Compared to such world trends, activities in Japan were rather
slow and research was limited to small scales; however, in the past several years, research anddevelopment centering on marine motors has been promoted by industry-university cooperation. In the past
few years, especially, a group mainly consisting of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Tokyo University ofMarine Science and Technology is promoting research and development. The Kyoto University group,
which has been continuing research and development of superconducting motors for electrical vehicles,
has now entered full-scale stage and demonstration tests are scheduled in several years. Furthermore,
research and development of a wind generator, which is an ultra-low, large-torque rotating machine, has
become active domestically and globally. This rotating machine has broad utility from small-scale tolarge-scale, such as a turbine generator. Although the development is centered on rotating machines fortransportation systems and wind generators, it will expand to the sophistication of elemental technology forother rotating machines as the technical development proceeds resulting in the improvement of technology
leading to practical use. Thus, the application fields will be expanded with further technical development in
the future, and it is expected that the initial target of applications to driving motors for pumps and fansbecome possible.
For the industrial superconducting equipment to be accepted in the market, it is necessary to set anappropriate target for the development of devices that match the market needs and to verify anddemonstrate the technology. It goes without saying that improvement in cost effectiveness, cost reduction ofrefrigerators and refrigerating systems, improvement in reliability, and reduction of maintenance cost are
required. For practical use, it is necessary to first apply to DC superconductivity so that applications thatmake use of the characteristics of DC superconducting technology such as high magnetic field and large
current are utilized. Induction heating of Zenergy Power and Bültmann, which was announced about five
years ago and has already been commercialized, is a typical example of successful industrial equipment,
although it is a special one. In addition, practical use of superconducting magnetic separators is being
developed steadily. It is also possible that high-temperature superconductors are used in the future forsilicon single-crystal pulling apparatus to which superconducting magnets have already been applied.
Meanwhile, as for the superconducting maglev train, which is being intensively developed aiming at
commercial service in 2025, Maglev Practical Technology Evaluation Committee of the Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism held on July 28, 2009 appraised that technologies necessary forcommercial line have been systematically and exhaustively developed so that it has become possible toSummer, 2010

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concretely establish detailed specification for commercial line and technical standard. Furthermore, Central
Japan Railway Company and Japan Railway Construction, Transportation, and Technology Agency havesubmitted an investigation report on the construction cost and transportation demands for Chuo
Shinkansen (between Tokyo and Osaka) on December 24, 2009. According to this report, the distance ofthe line is 438 km with a required travel time of 67 min, construction cost is about ¥9,000 billion, and annual
maintenance and operation cost is about ¥300 billion for the South Alps Route, which is the shortest of thethree candidate routes. In addition, Central Japan Railway Company announced on January 25, 2010 thatit intends to participate in overseas high-speed railway projects including in USA to promote the evolution ofsuperconducting linear system. Attention is also being focused on the introduction of high-temperature
superconducting magnets.

(Published in a Japanese version in the March 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Feature Articles: Technical development of industrial superconducting
devices- Progress in technical development of superconducting motors forelectric vehicle Taketsune Nakamura, Associate Professor
Graduate School of Engineering
Kyoto University
An academic-industry group, the leader of which is the author, is challenging research development touse High-Temperature Superconducting Induction-Synchronous Machine (HTS-ISM)1),2) for electricalvehicles3),4). This research and development project is being conducted as part of “Development ofEnergy-saving Innovative Technology” sponsored by NEDO. The project is commissioned to Kyoto
University and Aisin Seiki Co., and IMRA Material R&D Co., Niigata University, and Research Institute forApplied Sciences have joined the research group. This paper introduces the outline of the above-mentioned
research and development.
The four main targets of this project are: research and development of high-efficiency, high-power-density
HTS-ISM for vehicles; development of optimum driving technology; development of small-scale,
high-efficiency, non-sliding refrigerator; research development of structure and system of refrigeration forsmall-scale rotating equipment. The purpose is to realize a commercial next-generation, magnet-lessdriving system integrated with a refrigerator using a high-temperature superconducting wire, that is, ahigh-temperature superconducting wire that can be commercially produced or whose mass production is
expected. It is targeted to demonstrate a driving system that satisfies specification required for vehicles in avisible manner. Assuming a middle-class electric vehicle whose introduction will bring about a large impact,
the maximum output of 100 kW is required. As described in the commentary of the author5), it is necessary
to realize the revolutionary merit of the use of high-temperature superconductivity even if the loss of thecooling system is taken into consideration. By realizing the following two targets, this project will achieve
massive improvement in energy saving compared to conventional motors (IPM motor*, which is widelyused in Japan, and induction motor, which is widely used in USA and Europe).
(1) High efficiency for variable-speed driving.
(2) High torque density.
As for target (1), while vehicles have various driving modes and torque, and the speed transmitted to theaxle vary momentarily, the total efficiency for such variable-speed driving must be improved. The “variable
speed” referred to here is different from the concept used when discussed from the viewpoint of a generalenergy-saving effect. Here, the variable-speed driving that provides energy saving (such as damper controlof large-scale blower) is not pursued. In order to achieve high efficiency under restrictions of the variable
speed required by the driver, it is necessary to note that the direction of research and development issomewhat different from general variable-speed driving. Although the logic that use of superconductivity for
rotating equipment leads to reduction in copper loss thereby resulting in high efficiency of single rotating
equipment is correct, scale merit is usually taken into account by assuming a class ranging from several
hundred kW to MW. If high torque density, according to target (2), is realized, the conventional transmission
gear, which is essential for the existing driving system of vehicles, becomes unnecessary. Elimination oftransmission in the driving system results not only in weight saving in the car body but also in thedisappearance of gear loss that provides higher efficiency even when the cooling loss of refrigerator is taken*Interior Permanent Magnet
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Torque  / Nminto account. Thus, it is expected that the variable speed, high-efficiency driving system of so-called direct
driving achieves ultimate energy saving without using magnet.
Figure 1 shows an example of efficiency map of
HTS-ISM of 50-kW class investigated on the basis of1600 Nm
1500
non-linear equivalent circuit6). The data in the figure
96-97%
7)
were taken from an IPM of size and output
95-96%
comparable to those of the second-generation Prius®
93-95%(Toyota Motor Corp.) and it is seen that very high1000
91-93%
efficiency is obtained for a wide range of torque and85-91%
rotating speed. In particular, the high efficiency in
80-85%< 80%
constant-torque mode at low speed is a characteristic
7)500that cannot be obtained even with IPM motors .
Furthermore, the maximum torque reaches 1600 N m.
Although the above-mentioned values for the IPM
motor of the second-generation Prius® (nominal
0
0
500
1000
1500
maximum torque: 400 N m) is obtained through a gear,
Rotating
speed
n
/
rpm
the torque value of HTS-ISM is achieved with the
motor shaft, which clearly indicates that direct driving is
Fig.1 Example of analysis of efficiency map forquite possible. Since the second-generation Prius® is a
HTS-ISM of 50-kW class 6)
hybrid vehicle, the driving operation based only onelectricity is limited and so, it is not possible to make precise comparison for electrically driven motor forvehicle. However, since detailed data are available for the rotating equipment, the data were used for theinvestigation. Basically, it is necessary to compare with a motor used for genuine electric vehicle, which is
now under investigation.
Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a direct-driving-vehicle system provided with HTS-ISM. The
research and development project is now being promoted energetically to realize such a system.

Battery unit(ex., Li ion battery)

Tire
Inverterunit

Cryocooler

HTS-ISM
Controlunit(Primary
information)(Control signal)

Fig.2 Example of direct-driving-vehicle system provided with HTS-ISM

Reference:
1) Taketsune Nakamura, “Development of superconducting squirrel-cage induction/synchronous motor,”
Superconductivity Web21, March 2007, pp. 7-82) Taketsune Nakamura, “Feature Articles: Progress in industrial superconducting equipment technology:

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Overview of high-temperature induction/synchronous motor technology,” Superconductivity Web21, March
2008, pp. 3-4
3) Nippon Keizai Shimbun, “Challenge to 2030, Next-generation industrial technologies, High-temperature
superconducting materials ②," June 10, 2009, p. 94) Nippon Keizai Shimbun, "Development of superconducting motors for electric vehicles is being
accelerated," November 30, 2009, p. 125) Taketsune Nakamura, “Past, present, and future of superconducting motors ①,” Superconductivity
Web21, February 2010, pp. 22-23
6) T. Nakamura, T. Nishimura et al., to be submitted to Superconductor Science and Technology7) R. H. Staunton et al., “Evaluation of 2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid Electric Drive System”, U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, Under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 (2006)(Published in a Japanese version in the March 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Feature Articles: Development of industrial superconducting device
technology- Present status of technical development of superconducting marine
motors Mitsuru Izumi, Professor
Faculty of Marine Technology
Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology
Since a prototype of a motor using trapped magnetic flux of yttrium-based high-temperature bulk
superconductor prepared by melt growth was produced, a motor using bulk superconductor applied to fieldpole has been produced and motors with bismuth-based high-temperature superconducting wires woundaround the iron core of the field circuit and the armature have been developed in Japan1). Meanwhile, aprototype of a motor consisting of a coreless superconducting coil, which provides a magnetic field without
winding around an iron core and through which large current is passed, has been produced2). The results of
the load test of a marine motor of 36.5 MW have been published in USA, and rotating machine of MW classor larger for ship propulsion in which the merit of introduction of superconducting motors is expected to behigh are being developed in Japan as well as in Europe and Korea. These facts indicate that the stage of“demonstration of superconducting materials and wires” is making a transition to the stage of“demonstration of realization of superconducting motors as industrial superconducting equipment3).” It isalso necessary, therefore, to clarify the portfolio of superconducting materials (bulk and wire) regarding
diversified motors in the future.
Considering the social situation surrounding the marine business, such as the fluctuation of crude-oil
price and global-warming issues, the sea transportation industry is under pressure to improve fuel cost andtake measures for GHG (Greenhouse Gas) and exhaust gas regulation. Consequently, the development of
global-environment-friendly Ecoship that uses natural energy such as solar energy and fuel cells is being
appealed4),5). Promising technologies required by the market include new fuel and generating plant as wellas contra-rotating propellers for improving propeller efficiency. In the future, further improvement in theefficiency of the propulsion system is required taking into consideration elements such as shipmaneuverability, exhaust-gas regulation, economical efficiency, and energy saving.
It is expected that the day when superconducting motors are used in ship propulsion system is not far if
high efficiency, durability of coil, reliability, and maintainability as well as low cost are cleared. Since
propulsion system is the vital part of the ship in sea, it must be noted that a robust and an breakable system,
even if it is clunky, as well as tolerability to load fluctuation are required6).
Reference:1) http://www.ihi.co.jp/ihi-ism/techno/motor1.html
2) http://www.jrtt.go.jp/business/research/seika/data/h20-02b.pdf
3) Proc. of EUCAS2009, J. of Phys., Conference Series, in press.
4) http://www.nyk.com/release/5/NE_090416.html
5) http://www.mol.co.jp/ishin/carcarrier/future/index.html
6) http://nippon.zaidan.info/seikabutsu/2003/00390/mokuji.htm(Published in a Japanese version in the March 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)
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Feature Articles: Development of industrial superconducting device
technology- Present status of design technology of superconducting rotatingmachines for wind generation Hiroyuki Ohsaki, Professor
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences
The University of Tokyo
Under the circumstance in which effective use of natural energy is strongly required for the settlement or
alleviation of environmental issues represented by global warming, application of wind-power generation isincreasing globally. The maximum output of the present wind-power generation is about 6 MW and anincrease in output is being investigated in order to obtain scale merit. However, it is very difficult to increase
the output based on conventional technology because the weight of the generator (including the speed-upgear) increases significantly. Therefore, it is hoped that the construction of large-scale wind power generatorof 10-MW class is made possible by using superconducting technology, and research and development isbeing promoted.
In the designing of wind-power generator, designing of electromagnetic field, designing of mechanismand structure, and thermal design are important as in the case of other superconducting devices. When adirect-drive wind-power generator of 10-MW class is assumed, for example, the rated number of revolutionof windmill is about 10 rpm and the generated torque reaches about 10 MN. The torque tube that transmitsa torque of 10 MN with excellent heat insulation is a very important component. Therefore, it is important toimprove and establish technologies for designing of electromagnetic field making the most of the lightweight and compactness of superconducting equipment and for designing of mechanism and structure
corresponding to the torque by taking into consideration the support structure for electromagnetic force, andfor the thermal designing that cools and insulates the rotating machine effectively. In addition, refrigerating
system, electric power converter, and equipment for linking to electric-power network are also important forthe power-generating system.
In the world, Converteam seems to be at an advanced stage in the designing of 8-MW wind-power
generator, through development of elemental technologies for the development of the generator. AMSC of
USA has designed a generator with an output of 8 to 10 MW. The designed generator of 8 MW has an
outside diameter of 5 m, length of 3 m and weight of 120 to 140 tons, which indicates that the design has asignificant merit of weight saving. Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) has designed a generator of 10
MW, whose design parameters are: 4.7-m outside diameter of the generator, 20-K operating temperature,
16 poles, and 9.1-T maximum experienced magnetic field.
In Japan too, a superconducting power generator with a characteristic structure targeting at wind-power
generator of 10 MW has been recently proposed, and designing and research are being promoted. A groupfrom University of Tokyo and Chubu Electric Power Co., including myself, has proposed a superconducting
power generator consisting of a superconducting magnetic field provided by a simple-shaped circularpancake coil called the “increased lateral magnetic flux density” type. A group from University of Tokyo andNippon Steel Corp. is searching for the possibility of superconducting field magnet using bothsuperconducting coil and bulk. A group from Niigata University, Yokohama National University, and Chubu
Electric Power Co. is studying a type in which the field coil on the rotor side is divided into two parts in theradial direction and the armature winding (stator side) is put in the gap, and a type in which the armature
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winding is placed on both sides of the field coil. Since software for analyzing electromagnetic field has maderemarkable progress recently; this is very helpful for designing of superconducting rotating machines
because magnetic-flux density distribution, generated electromagnetic force and torque, and power
generation characteristics can be analyzed in detail using two-dimensional or three-dimensional models. In
the future, it is necessary to promote mechanical design, structure design, and thermal design in detail.
In Japan, although a turbine generator of 200-MVA class was designed and a prototype of 70-MVA wasdesigned, manufactured, and tested as a reduced-size model under Super-GM Project, a large project for
high-temperature superconducting power generator has not been carried out. Therefore, significant
progress in the research and development stage for designing of superconducting rotating machines,
improvement in fabrication technology, and acceleration of practical use is strongly desired.
(Published in a Japanese version in the March 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Feature Articles: Development of industrial superconducting device
technology- Status of dissemination of superconducting magnetic separator Shigehiro Nishijima
Graduate School of Engineering
Osaka University
Superconducting magnetic separation is attracting attention as a new method for wastewater treatment.
A treatment system for wastewater from drum cleaning was developed in March 2009. In September 2009,a recovery unit for cleaning agent used for restoration of polluted soil with Chlorinated Volatile Organic
Compounds (hereinafter referred to as C-VOC) was developed. In addition, other magnetic separators arebeing developed, whole picture of which will gradually become open. This paper introduces theabove-mentioned two cases.
Nippon Sheet Glass Engineering Co., Ltd. developed a magnetic filter for purifying
drum-cleaning water subsidized by the Ministry of the Environment, and demonstrated it at
Kansai Drum Center Joint Business Cooperatives.
There are two states of drums: unused drums and recycled drums, which are cleaned used
drums. Although new drums are inexpensive and economic, used drums containing waste may
cause environmental problems, such as emanation of polluted materials to soil or rivers due toopen space storage. Therefore, it is desirable to recycle the drums after cleaning them. However,the cleaning water for recycling again causes trouble with its treatment, which is now handled asindustrial waste. Since mainly the drums used by chemical companies, petroleum companies,
food companies, and pharmaceutical companies are cleaned, the wastewater of cleaning ismixed wastewater containing various oils and chemicals and the purifying treatment is difficult.
Consequently, the wastewater is treated as industrial waste and sewage water. Appropriate
treatment of such wastewater for recycling will not only contribute to environmental conservation
but also bring about economic merit by reducing the amount of industrial water use. The magnetic
separator has been developed with such a background.
In the system, contaminants in the cleaning wastewater (hereafter referred to as COD) areflocculated together with fine ferromagnetic particles in the magnetic seeding machine and then,passed by magnets to filter the flocculants. Therefore, the system consists of a magnetic seedingmachine, magnetic separator using permanent magnets, and magnetic filter using a
superconducting magnet. It has become possible to treat 40 tons of wastewater per day using thesystem, thereby reducing the COD to less than 100 ppm.
Kajima Corp. has developed a method to effectively treat C-VOC in the groundwater and put into practicea method to effectively recover the iron powder used in the method making use of superconducting
magnetic separator in cooperation with MS Engineering Ltd. C-VOC mixed with groundwater is difficult todissolve in water and remains as a contaminant in the ground water for a long time. Therefore, EnviroJet
Method was developed in which in-situ purification of C-VOC contamination is implemented. In this method,iron powders that decompose C-VOC are injected into the ground using high-pressure water jet to bemixed with the soil and clean it. The method had a disadvantage that part of the iron powders injected into
the ground was discharged on the ground together with the discharged mud. It has become possible torecover almost 100 % of the iron powders contained in the discharged mud using a superconducting
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magnetic separator. While the iron powders in the discharged mud could not be utilized because they could
not be recovered, it is now expected that the cost of purification is reduced by about 10 % by recycling theiron powders in the discharged mud. The magnetic separator, which is an iron-powder recovering device
using a high-gradient superconducting magnetic separator, has been developed in cooperation with MS
Engineering Co. and it has been confirmed that the recovered iron powders can be reused.
(Published in a Japanese version in the March 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Feature Articles: Overview of superconducting wire technology- Progress in medium and high magnetic field Ic technology for Y-based
wires Masateru Yoshizumi, Associate Director
Superconducting Tapes & Wires Division, SRL/ISTEC
The applications of Y-based wires are expected in various magnetic fields such as in motors,
transformers, SMES, and NMR, and high Ic in magnetic field is strongly desired from the viewpoint ofpractical use. To increase Ic value in magnetic field, it is effective to improve the Jc characteristics inmagnetic field by introducing defects generated by heavy-iron irradiation or non-superconducting phasesuch as BZO as artificial pinning sites into superconducting phase. This paper outlines the recent progressin the development of a process for introducing artificial pinning sites.
SuperPower of USA, which is developing YGdBCO wires prepared by MOCVD method and leading thedevelopment of long wires in the world, tried to improve characteristics in magnetic field by introducing BZO
as nanorods and obtained Icmin = 186 A/cm at 77 K and 1 T for short wires and Icmin = 50 A/cm or higher at
77 K and 1 T at both ends of long wire of 50 m.
LANL of USA tested multiple materials and various combinations of them by PLD method and foundconditions for the minimum Jcmax/Jcmin ratio by combining a layer introduced with BZO nanorods and a layer
introduced with Y2O3 nanodots. The absolute value of Jcmin becomes maximum in a film introduced onlywith BZO nanorods. The maximum value of Icmin in last August was 234 A/cm at 75 K and 1 T. The value of
Ic in self-magnetic field, although at 75 K, was 1006 A/cm showing very high characteristics even in
self-magnetic field. Fujikura Ltd. of Japan also improved the characteristics of the long wire and obtained
values exceeding 40 A in a long GdBCO wire of 90 m at 77 K and 3 T.
In the MOD method, wires prepared by ISTEC by introducing BZO nanorods showed the highest Ic
characteristics of Icmin = 115 A/cm (760 A/cm at sf) at 77 K and 1 T. AMSC of USA obtained a characteristicof 78 A at 75 K and 1 T using YDyBCO, which is a mixed crystal system, and they are now investigating
further improvements in the characteristics by the introduction of BZO nanoparticles.
In addition to the above-mentioned introduction of artificial pinning centers, improvement of the substrate
being developed by ORNL of USA is worth mentioning as a unique method. In this method, it is targeted tocontrol the position and distribution of pinning centers represented by nanorods by improving the surface
quality of the substrate by coating and firing MOD materials with two separated layers.
Since the magnetic field for measuring characteristics varies according to research institutes, it is difficult
to make simple comparison of Ic characteristics in the magnetic field. However, it has been clarified that
effective magnetic field and temperature differ according to the size and density of pins, and it is expectedthat evaluation is made on the basis of the targeted application environment in the future, which will result infurther difficulty in comparing investigation. Furthermore, since it is possible that the optimum introduction
methods for pinning centers, it seems important to promote effective research and development whilecollecting domestic and overseas information by seizing every opportunity and taking into consideration thestatus of the development.
(Published in a Japanese version in the April 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Feature Articles: Overview of superconducting-wire technology- Present status of high-speed fabrication of high-performance productsof Y-based wires Yasuhiro Iijima, Group Leader
Superconductivity Project Team
Fujikura Ltd.
The development of Y-based superconducting wires has consistently adhered to the concept of wires
with thin tape structure treated with highly oriented structure control from the viewpoint of material science.
However, plastic-forming processes such as extrusion and wire drawing generally used for the productionof electric wire and optical fiber are not effective; so, it is a problem to be solved to practically mass-produce
products of long length at low cost and maintain a high performance. Several processes based on chemical
vapor deposition and baking of the coated solid-phase have been investigated in parallel, and thetechnology is reaching a stage of mass-production due to the long-term investment owing to national
projects and advancement in various vacuum technologies. It is expected very soon that commercialization
will start in both Japan and USA using different processes.
Most of the present Y-based wires have a width of 4–5 mm and a cross-sectional area of 0.5–1 mm2, andsince the thickness of superconducting layer is about 1–2 μm, the ratio of area occupied bysuperconducting materials is about 2–3 % or lesser in the cross-sectional area. The current-carrying
performance of the wire depends on the thickness of the superconducting layer. Recently, Hot-Wall Method,which provides precise temperature control in film-forming process, has been developed using pulse-laser
deposition (PLD) method, which is a type of vapor-phase synthesis such that a high-performance film up to
4–6 μm can be accurately reproduced1). Consequently, the Ic value of a short sample with a width of 1 cm
reached higher than 1000 A and that of a 170-m-long sample reached 645 A in the self-magnetic field at 77
K. In addition, a value of 40 A or higher has been obtained in a magnetic field of 3 T perpendicular to thesubstrate. Therefore, long wires with the Ic value exceeding 300 A are now in view assuming ahigh-temperature magnetic-field environment of 50 K and 5 T. The advancement in the above-mentioned
film-forming temperature-control technology significantly improved the longitudinal uniformity, and in the
Hot-Wall PLD method, samples with Ic value fluctuation within 2 % over the whole length of 100 m can beproduced with an excellent reproducibility2). The fact that a superconducting film with a long length can be
fabricated under fixed operating conditions without frequent adjustment indicates that conditions required for
an industrial process are being established.
The intermediate layer of Y-based wires used to be relatively thick before forming the superconducting
layer and the manufacturing wire speed of this process caused cost problem. However, the technology to
reduce the thickness made great progress so that the process is not a rate-limiting factor any more. Above
all, the intermediate layer in the IBAD method, for which high-strength metal substrate can be used, highlyoriented substrate can be formed at a speed of several hundred m/h by using MgO of about 10-nm
thickness as the oriented layer3). In the superconducting–layer-forming process, recent improvement inlaser optical source brought about rapid evaporation of raw material and the yield of deposition of the
product has been increased to almost 60 %, thereby resulting in a fast-paced increase in the manufacturing
wire speed of the PLD method. For a wire with Ic value of 300 A/cm per unit width (77 K, self-magnetic field),the speed exceeds about 100 m/h, thereby converting to a wire with 5-mm width, which provides a wire
speed of mass-production level for superconducting film by vapor-phase synthesis together with the CVD
process that have been developed in USA2). Since the decrease in the manufacturing wire speed is
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inversely proportional to the thickness of the superconducting layer, performance and cost are in a trade-off
relationship. However, it is expected that improvement in performance for the future continues for the time
being because Jc value is increasing year by year due to the recent advancement in materials andprocesses including the use of Gd-123 film which has a relatively high critical temperature among thematerials based on RE-123. Although required usage environment, performance, and cost differ according
to the usage, higher performance at higher temperature and magnetic field continue to be pursued so that itis necessary to continue development with both the cost and the performance in view.
(Published in a Japanese version in the April 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Feature Articles: Overview of superconducting wire technology- Progress in high JC and low-loss technology of Bi-based wires Kazuhiko Hayashi
Superconductivity/energy Technology Development Division, Materials and Process Technology R&D Unit
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
1. History of improvement of critical current(Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Oy (Bi2223) high-temperature superconducting wires are fabricated using a method
called PIT (Powder In Tube) method, in which precursor powder is filled in a metallic pipe, fabricated in acomposite process, and then, the inner powder is sintered to obtain tape-shaped product with a width ofabout 4.3 mm and thickness of about 0.23 mm. In order to obtain flexibility, the superconducting filament,
which is ceramic, has a multifilamentary structure covered with silver or silver alloys.
Figure 1 shows the history of the development of the critical current of Bi-based wires. In the initial stage
up to 1995, the basic process of PIT method, in which composite with silver is applied, was established andprototype wires of 1-km class were fabricated. During this period, the fabrication process was improved
resulting in gradual improvement in critical-current characteristics and 100 A was obtained with a standard
size under self-magnetic field at liquid-nitrogen temperature. The reason why wire fabrication made great
progress was the development of over pressure sintering technique. The over pressure sintering methodbrought about high production yield by significantly reducing local defects as well as with improvements inthe critical current and mechanical strength realizing the level at which Bi-based wires can be calledindustrial products. Optimization and improvement of the process and conditions for manufacturing
processes proceeded after that and critical value of 236 A was obtained for short samples (77.3 K,
self-magnetic field) and 200 A was obtained for long wires of km class at mass-production level. It has
become possible to supply wires with 160–180 A at an industrial level. An Index of long wires, Ic(4-mm-wide) × L (length), reached 368,242A m.
400
Critical Current Ic 77 k, Self magnetic field (A)Energy-saving effect

Short length wire sample of m orderHighly energy-saving
equipment level(actual equipment level)

Long length wire of Km order

300

236A
Prototype demonstrationequipment level

200
Mass production
level

Pressure
sintering

100

0Long lengthof km order1990

Principle verificationequipment level

1995

2000

2005

Wire fabrication technology(development is entrusted to JST)
Development of pressure
Discovery of Bi-based high temperature sintering technology
superconducting material (Maeda, et al.) （CT-OP DI-BSCCO)

2010

2015

2020

Year

Fig. 1 Energy-saving effect
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2. Prospect of future improvement
It is apparent that the advancement in critical-current characteristics so far has been done by improving
crystal alignment. Figure 2 shows the relationship between the orientation and the critical-current
characteristics evaluated by transmitted X-ray diffraction method using high-intensity synchrotron radiationof Spring-8. The use of Spring-8 enabled the non-destructive evaluation of the average orientation over thewhole wire without peeling off the silver sheath. The half-value width of (200) reflection is 12.4° (the average
deviation angle from the tape surface is 6.2°, which is half the half-value width) for wires of 200-A class,which indicates that there is room for improvement.
●Spring-8
Observation of transmitted light using
high-energy synchrotron radiation X-ray

wirediffracted light
Bi2223(200)Incident light12.9 keV

300

Ic(77 K, sf):A:A
Ｉｃ(77K,sf)

250

wire
of 200-A class
200A級線材

200
150
100
wire
of 150-A class
150A級線材

50
0
0

2

4
6
8
10
misalingment:deg
deviation配向ずれ角（°）
angle of orientation( °)12Fig. 2 Relationship between degree of crystal orientation and critical-current characteristics

Figure 3 shows the distribution of critical-current density in the width direction evaluated using Hall
element1). In this method, the distribution of the magnetic field formed by passing a current through the wireis measured using a Hall effect device and converted to current distribution. The experiment was conductedunder a self-magnetic field at 90 K due to the limitation of current source, and Fig. 3 a) shows the distributionof the self-magnetic field under critical current, Fig. 3 b) shows sheet-current distribution calculated fromself-magnetic distribution, and Fig. 3 c) shows the distribution of critical-current density in the wire-width
direction calculated from the sheet-current distribution and the distribution of cross-sectional area ofsuperconducting filaments. A critical-current-density distribution having a peak of about 450 A/mm2 at thecenter of wire was obtained. It is expected that the peak critical-current density is 900 A/cm2 at 77.3 K, which
is about twice the value at 90 K Assuming that the distribution of the critical-current density in the wire-width
direction is uniform, the critical current is 340 A so that a critical current of 300 A is considered to be obtainedeven with the present different phase content and degree of orientation of Bi2223 phase.
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b) Distribution of sheet-current density

J (kA/m)

8.0
4.0
0.0
-4.0
.0
20

-8.0
-12.0
-4.0

-2.0

幅方向

.0
10
0.0

位置

2.0

x (mm

)

5.0
4.0 0.0

方
手
長

.0
15

置
位
向

mm
y(

)

シート電流密度

磁束密度

Bz (mT)

12.0

50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
-4.0

.0
20
.0
15

-2.0

幅方向

.0
10

0.0

位置

2.0

x (mm

)

5 .0

4.0 0.0

長

方
手

mm
y(

)

置
位
向

c) Distribution of critical-current density
in the wire-width direction2) 2)2)current-density
the coreJ(A/mmコアの電流密度J(A/mm(A/mm
Core currentofdensitya) distribution ofmagnetic-flux density

600

T  90K

500
400
300
200
100
0

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

positionin the
幅方向位置x (mm)x(mm)Positionin width
width direction
direction(mm)

Fig. 3 Distribution of critical-current density in the wire-width direction

cross-sectional
断面図 view

Reference:
1) Y. Honda, K. Higashikawa, M. Inoue, T. Kiss, N. Ayai, M. Kikuchi, K. Hayashi and K. Sato : "Study on
current distribution in DI-BSCCO tape based on the scanning Hall probe magnetic microscopy", submitted
to Physica C (proc. the ISS 2009)(Published in a Japanese version in the April 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Feature Articles: Overview of superconducting-wire technology- Progress in MgB2-wire processing technology Kazumasa Togano, Research Adviser
Superconducting Materials Center
National Institute for Materials Science
MgB2 is considered to be promising for applications in a high-temperature range between 20 and 30 K,
which can be obtained using a refrigerator since it has a critical temperature (Tc = 39 K) much higher thanthose of Nb-Ti and Nb3Sn. Although nine years have passed since its discovery, the PIT (Powder-in-tube)
method is still considered to be a major process because the process can produce long wires. In foreigncountries, Columbus Superconductors (Italy) 1) and Hyper Tech Research Inc. (USA) are already producing
practical wires of several km on commercial base and the products are applied to devices such as MRI.
The greatest problem of PIT wires is how to improve magnetic characteristics and increase packing density.
To solve the former problem, C substitution of B site is effective and many additives, including SiC, havebeen tried. However, further improvement is required for practical use. The other problem of PIT wires, i.e.,
the low packing density, is the essential problem of powder metallurgy. In case of MgB2, the shrinkage
during the reaction of Mg+2B→MgB2 makes it more difficult to solve the problem. Although high-pressure
application is being tried to solve this problem2), the development of a process based on a new concept
seems to be necessary when production of long wires is taken into account.
From the viewpoint of getting high density, the diffusion method (for example: internal Mg diffusion (IMD)
method3) (Figure 1)), which is an improved PIT method is attracting attention. The feature of this method is
to separate B layer and Mg layer and not mix the powders, and provoke the diffusion reaction. This method
enables production of long wires, and a high critical-current density exceeding that of PIT wires is obtained
due to the formation of a high-density MgB2 layer. Figure 2 shows representative relationship between
critical current density (Jc) and magnetic field (H). In addition to such an attempt of new technology, It is also
important to continue the development of conventional PIT method to construct application systems as well
as fundamental researches to essentially improve magnetic-field characteristics of MgB2.

Fig. 1 Transverse section and longitudinal section of MgB2 wire fabricated by internal Mg diffusion (IMD) method(before heat treatment)3)

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critical-current density, Jc (A/cm2)

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Applied magnetic field, 0H(T)Fig. 2 Representative critical-current density (Jc)—magnetic field (H) curve of PIT wire4), 5) and IMD wire3).
Curves of Nb-Ti and Nb3Sn are shown for reference.

Reference:
1) G. Grasso et al, Abstracts of 22nd International Symposium on Superconductivity (ISS2009) (November
2009, Tsukuba Japan) p.119.
2) Yamada et al., Abstracts of CSJ Conference, 2009 Spring, (May 2009, Waseda University) p.193.
3) K..Togano et al, Supercond. Sci. Technol.22(2009)015003.
4) H. Yamada et al, Supercond. Sci. Technol. 20(2007) L30.
5) W. Heasler et al, Supercond. Sci. Technol. 21(2008) 062001.
(Published in a Japanese version in the April 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Feature Article: Overview of superconducting-wire technology- Trends in superconducting technology for nuclear fusion Nagato Yanagi
National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences
This paper outlines the technical trends in superconductors for fusion magnets, and also introduces a
discussion on the possibility of applying high-temperature superconductors (HTS) to future demo
reactors and commercial reactors.
Early realization of nuclear fusion is hoped as a next-generation energy source of low environmental
impact with abundant fuel on the earth. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)
is now being constructed at Cadarache in France with international collaboration among seven parties— Japan, EU, USA, Russia, China, Korea and India, aiming to be operational in 2019. The expected
maximum current, maximum magnetic field and stored magnetic energy of the superconducting
magnet system of ITER are 68 kA, 13 T and 40 GJ, respectively, all of which significantly exceed thoseof existing systems. Cable-in-conduit (CIC) conductors, which are stable and have low AC losses, areused for winding conductors of all coils and cooled by supercritical helium supplied at 4.5 K. For thetoroidal field (TF) coils (maximum field: 11.8 T) and central solenoid (CS) coils (13 T), Nb3Sn wires areused. Japan is to produce 540 tons, about half of the total amount of wires. The production of wires(strands) is already in progress and the technology to stably produce wires has been established bysatisfying the requirements of high-current density (> 720 A/mm2 at 12 T and 4.2 K by bronze method
and > 833 A/mm2 by internal diffusion) and low hysteresis losses (<500 mJ/cc with a magnetic fieldchange of ±3 T). Production of the final conductors through cabling and jacketing processes has also
started. Since the maximum magnetic field of the poloidal field (PF) coils is in 6-T level, NbTi strands(about 250 tons) are to be used.
To intensively and rapidly develop fusion technology in parallel with the ITER project, the “Broader
Approach (BA)” program has been initiated as a bilateral collaboration between Japan and EU. One ofits projects, construction of the JT-60SA machine at Japan Atomic Energy Agency, has already begun.
JT-60SA is a satellite tokamak of ITER with weight and magnetic energy one order of magnitude
smaller than that of ITER so that flexible experiments are expected to begin in 2016. Initially, Nb3Al
wires were considered to be used for the TF coils. However, since the maximum magnetic field was
lowered to 6-T level through optimization, NbTi wires are being used instead, as they are applied to thepoloidal (equilibrium field; EF) coils. For these coils, NbTi wires of the LHC specification of CERN areused with 2 µm of Ni coating to reduce AC losses. The maximum magnetic field of the CS coils is ~9 T
and Nb3Sn wires of the ITER specification are used. Production of the CS and EF conductors has
begun and sample conductors are being tested at NIFS using a 9 T split-coils facility.
Magnetic confinement configurations other than the tokamak are also being considered, among
which the helical type is expected to make a stable reactor with high energy efficiency without the needfor inducing plasma current. At NIFS, the Large Helical Device (LHD) project has been successfully
conducted and a conceptual design of the helical-type fusion energy reactor FFHR is in progress. As it
is a crucial mission to realize tokamak and/or helical demo reactors by the 2030s, superconductors witha capacity exceeding that of ITER are required. The basic idea for meeting this target is to use CIC
conductors of Nb3Sn or Nb3Al wires as an extension of the ITER technology. However, in order todevelop commercial reactors on a mass-production basis by the 2040s after the demo reactors, it isSummer, 2010

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useful to develop indirectly-cooled solid-type conductors so that the structures of the windings andcooling pipes of magnets may become less complicated. An example of the indirectly-cooled conductor
uses Nb3Sn or Nb3Al wires within a jacket made of aluminum-alloy. Another advantage of thisconductor is that the react-and-wind technique can be applied. One may also assume that a
low-activation material, such as V3Ga, is used in place of Nb-based materials.
In accordance with the rapid technological development in recent years, it has also become
conceivable to apply high-temperature superconducting (HTS) conductors for fusion magnets. Using
HTS conductors, it is expected that stable coils without a fear of quench may be realized with highenergy efficiency due to the reduction of refrigeration power by elevated temperature operations.
Typical conductor designs incorporating simple stacking of Y-based tape wires and/or Roebel-typeconductors with transposition structures are being considered. One may also consider round wires of
Bi-2212 or short-width Y-based tapes bundled and twisted to form CIC conductors. Although the
production cost of HTS wires is presently a great issue, it is expected that significant cost reduction will
be realized when wires are mass-produced for power applications in the near future. Under suchcircumstances, HTS conductors of large-size may be supplied even at a lower cost than that of the LTS
counterparts (which are produced on an order basis). In addition, the extra cost of construction with
HTS may be compensated by a reduction in the running cost of refrigerating power. Furthermore, when
the operation temperature is high (60 K or higher, for example), there may be innovative changes thatcannot be assumed with conventional LTS magnets, such as the elimination of 80-K radiation shields
and/or application of solid insulators for supporting auxiliary coils from the vacuum-vessel. It is also
possible in principle that gigantic coils are assembled with prefabricated segments; the segments would
then be jointed on site. Joule heating in joints could be accepted at elevated temperature operations
making use of a margin of refrigeration power. Gases other than helium, such as neon or hydrogen,could also be considered for refrigeration. In order to realize these innovative ideas, intensive researchand development are required. At present, reduced-scale conductors of 10-kA class are being tested
and remarkably high stability is being confirmed compared to that of LTS CIC conductors. While thepresent sample conductors include Y-based wires with critical currents of ~200 A/cm level (at 77 K,
self-field), it is envisioned that the basic structure of the present conductor can be scaled up to the
100-kA class by applying the maximum available critical currents observed in the latest short wires (~1kA/cm). Thus, it is anticipated that HTS large-current conductors can be used for fusion magnets when
demo and commercial reactors will be built.

(Japanese version published in the April 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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Standardization Activities
Topics in May- JIS H 7305 “Critical-current measurement of Bi-based superconducting wires” andJIS H 7307: 2010 “Electronic characteristic measurements of superconductors” were
published Masanao Mimura, Director,
Standardization Affairs Division, ISTECThe Japanese Standards Association revised and published the following two JIS standards related tosuperconductivity on March 23, 2010 based on the deliberation of the Japanese Industrial Standards
Committee.
♦ Title: Superconductivity - Critical current measurement - DC critical current of Ag- and/or Ag
alloy-sheathed Bi-2212 and Bi-2223 oxide superconductors
Standard Number: JIS H 7305:2010
Date of enactment: March 23, 2010
Published by: Japanese Standards Association
Constitution of the standard: Introduction, Scope, Referenced standards, Terms and definitions, Principle,
Test conditions, Equipment, Preparation of samples, Test procedure, Precision andaccuracy of the test method, Calculation of test results, Items to be reported, Attachment A,
Attachment B, Comments.
Outline of the revision: This standard is a revision of JIS H 7305:2003 and the major revision points are thefollowing four items:
1) Addition of terms and definitions
2) Addition of principle
3) Revision of constant-speed sweeping and step sweeping
4) Revision of drawings
Preparation of standard draft: The draft was prepared by the JIS Draft Preparation WG3 (General Manager:
Hitoshi Kitaguchi, Professor at the University of Tokyo) established under the JIS Draft
Preparation Committee (Chairman: Kozo Osamura, Professor Emeritus at Kyoto
University)
Corresponding international standard: IEC 61788-3:2006, Superconductivity - Part 3: critical current
measurement - DC critical current of Ag-and/or Ag alloy-sheathed Bi-2212 and Bi-2223
oxide superconductors♦ Title: Superconductivity - Electronic characteristic measurements - Surface resistance of superconductors
at microwave frequencies
Standard Number: JIS H 7307:2010
Date of enactment: March 23, 2010
Published by: Japanese Standards Association
Constitution of the standard: Introduction, Scope, Referenced standards, Terms and definitions,
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Requirements, Equipment, Measuring procedure, Precision and accuracy, Test report,
Attachment A, Comments.
Outline of the revision: This standard is a revision of JIS H 7307:2005 and major revision points are thefollowing five items:
1) Transfer of the item of principle to Attachment.
2) Adoption of closed measuring jig.
3) Expansion of the scope of application of the sapphire cylinder.
4) Revision of the procedure to determine surface resistance.
5) Total revision of the mode charts of Attachment.
Preparation of standard draft: The draft was prepared by the JIS Draft Preparation WG8 (General Manager:
Shin Kosaka, Affiliate Researcher at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science andTechnology) established under the JIS Draft Preparation Committee (Chairman: Kozo
Osamura, Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University)
Corresponding international standard: IEC 61788-7:2006, Superconductivity - Part 7: Electronic
characteristic measurements - Surface resistance of superconductors at microwave
frequencies
Please order JIS Standards directly from the web store of Japanese Standards Association(http://www.jsa.or.jp; 107-8440, 4-1-24 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo; TEL: 03-3538-8002; FAX:
03-3583-0462)(Published in a Japanese version in the May 2010 issue of Superconductivity Web 21)

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