SBIR Phase I: Development of a Low Cost Production Process for Low Carbon Content, Submicron Scale High Temperature Superconductors (HTSC) Powders

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种低成本的工艺来生产低碳含量的亚微米级HTSC粉末。这项工作是基于对PSIT专利工艺的拟议修改，该工艺用于生产纳米相陶瓷粉末，该工艺具有化学灵活性，化学纯度和高产量。在第一阶段，将努力生产铋基BiSrCaCuO超导体家族（BSCCO）。由混合金属氧化物产生的高温超导体（HTSC）的发现为提高发电和输电效率、开发节能运输设备以及敏感和精确的仪器提供了新的可能性。然而，HTSC组件的广泛商业应用取决于保持可接受的生产成本以及适当的物理性能。在拟议的第一阶段工作中，将适当的HTSC前驱体无机化合物与有机载体液体的混合物喷洒到包括气体火焰和外部加热炉的燃烧系统中。混合液滴中有机载体液体的氧化将使化学前体分解，随后蒸发和/或扩散到气相。随后，亚微米颗粒的冷凝将导致HTSC粉末的形成。由于预期HTSC粉末的亚微米尺寸，使用管内粉末技术制造成薄HTSC线预计是直截了当的。开发生产低碳含量、亚微米高温超导粉末的低成本工艺具有潜在的广泛应用：用于输电、电机、发电机的超导导线、用于商业和工业用途的磁铁，如医疗诊断和射频设备。其他应用还包括高速磁悬浮列车和先进船舶驱动系统、红外传感器等。

This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I project will develop a low cost process for producing low carbon content, submicron scale HTSC powders. The work is based on proposed modifications to a patented PSIT process for producing nanophase ceramic powders, a process which allows chemical flexibility, chemical purity, and high yield. In Phase I, efforts will be exerted to the production of bismuth-based BiSrCaCuO family of superconductors (BSCCO). The discovery of high temperature superconductors (HTSC) produced from mixed metal oxides has opened new possibilities for improving the efficiency of power generation and transmission and developing energy-efficient transportation devices as well as sensitive and accurate instrumentation. Extensive commercial application of HTSC components, however, depends on maintaining acceptable production costs along with the appropriate physical properties. In the proposed Phase I effort, a mixture of appropriate HTSC precursor inorganic compounds with organic carrier liquid will be sprayed into a combustion system that includes a gas flame and an externally heated furnace. Oxidation of the organic carrier liquid in the mixture droplets will allow the decomposition of the chemical precursors, followed by vaporization and/or diffusion into the gas phase. Subsequent condensation of submicron particulate will lead to the formation of HTSC powders. Because of the expected submicron size of the HTSC powder, fabrication into thin HTSC wire using the powder in tube technique is expected to be straightforward. The development of a low cost process for the production of low carbon content, submicron high temperature superconducting powders has potentially broad applications: superconducting wires for power transmission, motors, generators, magnets for commercial and industrial use such as medical diagnostic and radiofrequency devices. Other applications include high speed magnetic levitation trains and advanced ship drive systems, infrared sensors, etc.