PFI-TT: Electrodeposited Flexible Superconducting Cables for Quantum Applications

这个创新-技术转化伙伴关系（PFI-TT）项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是实现量子计算设备的自动化组装和规模化制造，并提高此类量子设备的性能。 最先进的量子计算机依赖于在极冷温度下运行的超导体结。超导电缆在量子计算机中的使用需求很高，不仅可以传输电信号而不会损失或发热，而且还可以实现量子设备的自动组装。这项研究的长期目标是大规模制造用于低温量子设备的超导柔性电缆。 计划将着重为博士后、研究生和本科生提供技术培训和创业技能发展，而本地的K-12学生也将通过外展活动受益于该项目。拟议项目利用盐包水电解质的新概念，开发和整合电沉积技术，在柔性基底上制造超导薄膜;并且证明了在柔性电缆的典型使用期间超导性的鲁棒性。盐包水方法使用高浓度的盐，其水合耗尽游离水分子，提供水性电解质的益处，同时减轻水存在的限制。在这个PFI-TT项目中，将采用创新的方法来提高聚合物上电沉积超导体之间的附着力，并抑制聚合物固化的热效应。 除了纯超导金属之外，还将开发超导合金的电沉积工艺，作为进一步确保柔性超导电缆性能和耐久性的应急计划。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact / commercial potential of this Partnerships for Innovation – Technology Translation (PFI-TT) project is to enable automated assembly and scaled manufacturing of quantum computing devices, and to improve the performance of such quantum devices. State-of-the-art quantum computers rely on superconductor junctions operated at extremely cold temperatures. Superconducting cables are in high demand for use in quantum computers, not only to transmit electrical signals without loss or heat generation, but also to enable automated assembly of quantum devices. The long-term goal of this research is to enable the large-scale manufacturing of superconducting flexible cables for low temperature quantum devices. Both technical training and entrepreneurial skill development will be emphasized for postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate students, while local K-12 students will also benefit from the project through outreach activities.The proposed project leverages a new concept of water-in-salt electrolyte to develop and integrate an electrodeposition technology to fabricate superconductor thin film on flexible substrates; and demonstrate the robustness of superconductivity during the typical use of a flexible cable. Water-in-salt methods use a high concentration of salt, the hydration of which depletes the free water molecules, providing the benefits of an aqueous electrolyte while mitigating the limitations from the presence of water. In this PFI-TT project, innovative approaches will be undertaken to improve the adhesion between the electrodeposited superconductors on polymers, and to suppress the thermal effects from polymer curing. In addition to pure superconducting metal, the electrodeposition process of a superconducting alloy will be developed as a contingency plan to further ensure the performance and durability of the flexible superconducting cables.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.