The Oxford Centre for Applied
Superconductivity
Susie Speller
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
The purpose of the centre is to accelerate innovation
in emerging materials and technology to support
and expand the commercial exploitation of
superconductivity and superconducting machines in
Oxfordshire.
Initial partners: Oxford University, Oxford Harwell
Campus, Siemens Magnet Technology, Oxford
Instruments, Tokamak Energy
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Case for the Centre
Applications of superconductors include areas as
diverse as magnetic energy storage, quantum
computing, energy generation and distribution, fusion
reactors and healthcare technologies.
There is a cluster of applied superconductivity
companies within 25 miles of Oxford, including
• Siemens Magnet Technology (MRI magnets)
• Oxford Instruments (superconducting magnets and
quantum technologies)
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Deliverables
• The Centre will establish 2 new laboratories in
Clarendon Laboratory and Materials Department
– Superconductor testing
• Including high field, high current testing
• MO imaging
– Materials discovery
• Thin film synthesis
• Microstructure/property relationships
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Deliverables
• Examples of first stage projects
– MgB2 DC cables
– Persistent mode joints
– Radiation damage in coated conductor
– New superconductors
– New areas suggested by the partners
• Discussions on superconductors in quantum
technologies already started for second stage
http://www.materials.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate/newprojects.html
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Deliverables
The Centre will aim to create 10 new jobs within the
first 2 years
• 4 postdoctoral researchers
• 4 technicians
• at least 2 apprentices (who we hope will progress
into jobs with the partners)
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Timescales
• 5 year project funded in first instance
• Project funding starts April 2015
• Laboratories complete Oct 2015
• We will be seeking new partners/projects in the
early part of next year
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
CryOx Multifilamentary NbTi Joints
Analysis of CryOx cold pressed and spot
welded joints between multifilamentary
NbTi wires
(Greg Brittles)
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Spot-welded NbTi filaments
Optical
SEM
Majority of filaments have bonded
completely to form a single bulk
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Spot-welded microstructure
Cu
50um
No clear interfaces between
fused filaments but significant
microstructural modification
Dark Ti
precipitates
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
5um
Transverse section
50um
50um
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Pb-Bi solder properties
Jc(B) data calculated
from magnetisation
measurements using
Bean model
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Chemical mapping of Pb-Bi solder
Eutectic composition
Pb 40wt%Bi
Energy Dispersive
X-ray (EDX) chemical
mapping of two
different solder
compositions, taken
at 5kV in an SEM
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Measurement of Joint Resistance
Single-Turn Loop of NbTi
Superconducting Wire
Superconducting
Joint (Pb-Bi)
B = 0 T; I = 37 A
Resistance = 5 x 10-15 Ω
Department of Materials
University of Oxford
Following speculative leads
Department of Materials
University of Oxford