Practical superconductor development for electrical power applications : annual report for FY 2001.

Most large-scale applications of high-critical-temperature superconductors will require wires or tapes that can carry large current in applied magnetic fields. This report describes research and development efforts at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) aimed at producing practical superconducting components and devices using the Y-Ba-Cu-O and Bi-(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O systems. Topics discussed include various methods of forming second- and first-generation composite conductors, characterization of their structures and superconducting and mechanical properties, modeling of grain-boundary current transport, and the testing and modeling of a superconducting fault current limiter.