PFI-TT: Electrodeposited Flexible Superconducting Cables for Quantum Applications

该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应用需求很大，不仅可以在不损耗或不产生热量的情况下传输电信号，还可以实现量子设备的自动化组装。本研究的长期目标是实现低温量子器件超导柔性电缆的大规模制造。该项目将重点培养博士后、研究生和本科生的技术培训和创业技能发展，同时当地K-12学生也将通过外展活动从项目中受益。该项目利用盐中水电解质的新概念，开发和集成电沉积技术，在柔性衬底上制造超导薄膜；并在柔性电缆的典型使用中证明了超导性的鲁棒性。盐中水的方法使用高浓度的盐，盐的水合作用会耗尽游离的水分子，提供了水电解质的优点，同时减轻了水存在的限制。在这个PFI-TT项目中，将采用创新的方法来改善聚合物上电沉积超导体之间的粘附性，并抑制聚合物固化的热效应。除了纯超导金属外，为了进一步保证柔性超导电缆的性能和耐久性，还将开发超导合金的电沉积工艺作为应急计划。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识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.