Investigating R&D Committee on a trend of applications of bulk HTc superconductors

Recently, the R&D of bulk HTc superconductors made progress very much in all the countries of the world from Japan on.  A trapped magnetic field of larger than 3T at 77 K was achieved, and a superconducting material with a trapped magnetic field of 17T at 29K was developed. These specifications are much better than performances of permanent magnets. In addition, superconducting bulk conductors which can carry several thousands Ampere at 77K have been developed and practically important mechanical properties also have improved. It is considered that application fields will largely extend, not only in electric power, also in transportation, environment, industries with progress in materials technology of bulk HTc superconductors.

Electric devises, such as Flywheel energy storage equipment, Motors, Generators, Linear actuators etc. and applications to Magnetic separation and Magnetically levitated trains etc. have been proposed. In addition, as conductor applications of bulk HTc superconductors, applications to current leads of superconducting magnets and FCL (Fault Current Limiters) are proposed.

In this R&D Committee, we investigated the R&D status of bulk HTc superconductors, and also investigated that of superconducting bulk applied equipment extensively, then we considered their technology trends. Further, we classified elementary technologies for applications systematically, and picked problems to be solved, and we obtained a guiding principle of a direction of R&D in the future. This report shows the results of investigations on a trend of technologies on bulk HTc superconductors and applied superconductivity with up to date results.