Fiber-Reinforced HTS Tethers for Brittle Superconductor Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-temperature superconductors (HTS) face challenges due to brittleness, difficulty in forming practical shapes, and complex production processes, which hinder their widespread application, as they require precise control and are sensitive to oxygen stoichiometry during high-temperature calcination, making reinforcement with conventional materials difficult.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating continuous, long fibers such as SiC or other durable materials within the HTS material to prevent contamination and cracking, allowing for the creation of reinforced HTS compositions that can be processed using subtractive sculpting and continuous production methods, enabling the production of diverse geometries and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional reinforcing materials are used to relieve brittleness of HTS ceramics, then mechanical strength is improved, but oxidation during high-temperature production process creates impurities and interferes with crystal formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material structure where HTS ceramic particles are embedded in a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix serves as a protective medium that prevents oxidation of HTS particles during high-temperature processing while the composite structure provides enhanced mechanical strength. This resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties: the polymer prevents oxidation and provides toughness, while the HTS ceramic provides the desired superconducting properties and stiffness.
2Reliability
If HTS materials are processed using traditional methods, then superconducting properties are maintained, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to multiple high-temperature calcination steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the processing parameters by using low-temperature polymerization instead of multiple high-temperature calcination steps. The HTS ceramic particles are pre-formed and then embedded in the polymer matrix at lower temperatures, eliminating the need for repeated high-temperature processing. This reduces production complexity while maintaining superconducting properties through proper particle selection and arrangement.
3Reliability
If HTS ceramics are used in practical applications, then superconducting performance is achieved, but brittleness makes them difficult to form into useful shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite where rigid HTS ceramic particles are embedded in a flexible polymer matrix. The polymer matrix provides formability and flexibility, allowing the material to be shaped into useful forms, while the HTS ceramic particles maintain the superconducting performance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between brittleness and formability by distributing mechanical stresses in the polymer phase while preserving electrical properties in the ceramic phase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The use of continuous fibers strengthens HTS materials, allowing for the production of complex geometries and reducing brittleness, thereby enhancing their practicality and reducing production costs, making them suitable for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating continuous, long fibers such as SiC or other durable materials within the HTS material to prevent contamination and cracking
Implementation Method 2
Superconductivity is the property of transmitting electricity with no or little resistance
Implementation Method 3
HTS can achieve superconductivity at temperatures as high as 138 K (−135° C.) and can be cooled using substances such as liquid nitrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprises a support net with nodes, wherein each node comprises a HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cell, wherein alignments of the HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cells are arranged with N-S in parallel alignment. A device comprises a tether comprising a plurality of HTS solenoids and a sheath, wherein a solenoid of the plurality of HTS solenoids comprises a high temperature superconducting material and reinforcing fiber. A device comprises propulsion ball or plate with tail, injected in propulsion channel; HTS solenoids disposed along walls of propulsion channel, wherein the propulsion ball or plate with tail are moved through the propulsion channel using magnetic field generated by HTS solenoids; and a collection channel.