Composite Superconductor with Internal Oxygen Filaments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-temperature superconductor composite conductors require an external oxygen supply during heat treatment, which can lead to unwanted oxidation reactions with other materials, limiting design choices due to the need to prevent oxygen migration.
Innovation Solution
Embedding oxygen-containing filaments within a silver matrix material alongside Bi2212 filaments, with a surrounding reinforcement material that seals the composite from the atmosphere, allowing internal oxygen to react with Bi2212 and prevent external oxygen interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external oxygen supply is used during heat treatment, then the Bi2212 superconductor can be properly formed, but unwanted oxidation reactions occur with other materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oxygen supply function into separate oxygen-containing filaments that are spatially segmented and distributed within the composite conductor. This segmentation allows oxygen to be delivered locally to where it is needed (at the Bi2212 filaments) without requiring a pervasive external oxygen atmosphere that would cause unwanted oxidation of other materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the oxygen supply function from the external environment and incorporates it directly into the composite conductor structure through embedded oxygen-containing filaments. This extraction eliminates the need for an external oxygen atmosphere, thereby preventing unwanted oxidation reactions while maintaining the necessary oxygen supply for superconductor formation.
2Ease of manufacture
If an external oxygen atmosphere is used, then heat treatment can proceed, but component design choices are limited due to oxidation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing oxygen specifically where it is needed (at the Bi2212 superconductor filaments) through embedded oxygen-containing filaments, rather than maintaining a pervasive oxygen atmosphere. This localized oxygen delivery enables the use of oxygen-sensitive materials in other parts of the composite conductor, thereby expanding component design choices while still achieving proper heat treatment.
3Quantity of substance
If oxygen is provided externally, then superconducting material can be produced, but oxygen migrates out of the composite causing losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces oxygen-containing filaments as intermediary carriers that deliver oxygen directly to the Bi2212 superconductor filaments during heat treatment. These intermediary filaments act as controlled oxygen release mechanisms, ensuring oxygen is provided where needed while preventing oxygen migration out of the composite structure, thereby reducing oxygen losses.
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
This method enables controlled oxygen-based reactions within the composite, reducing parasitic losses and undesired oxidation, thereby enhancing the production of desired superconducting materials while maintaining component integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The oxygen is chemically active at the temperatures required for the heat treatment and will often react with other materials
Implementation Method 2
A surrounding reinforcement material contains the other elements and preferably seals the superconductor from the surrounding atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
A method for making a composite superconductor and a superconductor made using the method. Superconducting filaments are embedded in a matrix material. Oxygen-containing elements are also embedded in the matrix material, with the oxygen-containing elements preferably being dispersed evenly among the superconducting filaments. A surrounding reinforcement material contains the other elements and preferably seals the superconductor from the surrounding atmosphere.