Currently, almost the totality of the superconductivity applications are restricted to the use of Nb-based metallic superconductors and ceramic oxides containing Cu, capable of transporting high current densities in high magnetic fields, without electric resistance and without energy dispersion. These superconductors are being developed as monofilament and multifilament wires and tapes.
The performance and critical properties of metallic superconductors ( Low Temperature Superconductors – LTSs ) and ceramic superconductors ( High Temperature Superconductors – HTSs ) available have presented considerable progresses during the last few years, making it possible for more applications to be suggested and put into practice for such superconductors.
The interest in the development of such superconductors is one of the driving forces of applied superconductivity, due to the use of such superconductors for the magneto winding with a great variety of applications in the areas of basic sciences, medicine, magnetic separation, minerals purification and magnetic levitation. In addition to those, there are also important applications in electronics, in magnetometers, in the detection of minerals, seismology, anologic/digital converters, integrated circuits and generation of AC and DC tension standards.
The superconductivity uses in the generation and distribution of electric power are in superconductor cables, magnetic energy storage systems (SMES), excess current limiters and transformers, justified mainly by the promises that the superconductor systems would lead to effectiveness increases, size decrease and weight reduction when compared to already existing and used technologies.
Ceramic superconductors in the form of solid blocks ( bulk ) are used in synchronous engines, laboratory magnetos, magnetic separation, inductive excess current limiters (shielding iron cores), bearings and magnetic levitators, kinetic energy storage systems in the form of flywheels, or high sensitivity tooling.
Important fundaments for the basic understanding of the superconductivity phenomena will be presented, showing the reasons for the great interest throughout the world. Techniques and methodologies for the processing of superconductor materials in the form of bulks, wires and tapes will also be presented and discussed, as well as the current and actual applications of these materials in Brazil and abroad. |
