Structured Materials Inc Receives DoE Funding to Research Superconducting Tapes

Structured Materials Industries, Inc. (SMI) reports that it has received DoE Phase I SBIR funding to investigate and develop YBCO superconducting tapes. In this program SMI will apply its MOCVD technologies to apply thin superconducting films of YBCO on metal tapes.  A particular focus of this effort is to investigate rare earth doping (i.e. Sm, Ho) as a means to increase the in-field critical current density of the YBCO film. This work builds upon recent efforts wherein SMI developed a base MOCVD tool to deposit thin superconducting films on kilometer scale tapes that has been delivered to theAir Force. The goal of these programs is to ultimately develop a viable process and tool technology for routine production of kilometers of superconducting tapes at a cost advantage to conventional wiring. Success in these efforts will improve the nation’s power position.