Skip to main content
National MagLab logo

The MagLab is funded by the National Science Foundation and the State of Florida.

Advanced Microscopy for Better Nanostructural Insights in Bi-2212 Round Wires

Published September 22, 2021

Electron micrograph of the cross sections of three Bi-2212 round wires with widely varying critical current densities (Jc) showing their a-axis grain alignments.
Electron micrograph of the cross sections of three Bi-2212 round wires with widely varying critical current densities (Jc) showing their a-axis grain alignments.

Researchers working to push the high temperature superconducting material (Bi-2212) to the forefront of superconducting magnet technology have used novel characterization methods to understand the complex relationship between its processing and its superconducting properties, specifically its current carrying capabilities. 

What is the finding?

Studing the micro- and nano- structure properties in multiple round wires made with Bi-2212, researchers learned that processing controls impact grain orientation and grain boundary composition in Bi-2212 Round Wire to improve superconducting critical current density (Jc).


Why is this important?

High-magnetic-field applications of Bi-2212 Round Wire will require a knowledge of how nanostructure influences the critical current density (Jc) and how this nanostructure can be optimized during the heat treatment processing of Bi-2212 Round Wire. The goal is to push Bi-2212 to the forefront of high temperature superconductors (HTS) to make next generation superconducting magnets that can be operated at higher fields, higher temperatures, and at lower cost.


Who did the research?

T.A. Oloye1,2, M. Matras4, J. Jiang1, S.I. Hossain1,2, Y. Su1,*, U. P. Trociewitz1, E. E. Hellstrom1,2,3, D. C. Larbalestier1,2,3, and F. Kametani1,2,3

1Applied Superconductivity Center, MagLab; 2Materials Science and Engineering, FSU; 3FAMU-FSU Dept of Mechanical Engineering; 4European Organization for Nuclear Research; * Now: Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge Nat'l Lab


Why did this research need the MagLab?

The MagLab's Applied Superconductivity Center provided both the expertise and the nanoscale imaging tools - Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) – necessary to link critical current densities to nanostructure. The EBSD enabled us to visualize the important high Jc grain microstructures within the individual filaments, while the TEM revealed the nanostructural features of grain boundaries that are also necessary to develop high Jc.


Details for scientists


Funding

This research was funded by the following grants: D. C. Larbalestier, E.E. Hellstrom, J. Jiang and F. Kametani (DOE DE-SC0010421) and G.S. Boebinger (NSF DMR-1644779)


For more information, contact Lance Cooley.

Tools They Used

This research was conducted in the Carl Zeiss 1540 EsB Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Thermo Fisher Scientific Helios G4 high resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), JEOL ARM 200CF atomic resolution Cs-corrected analytical Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) at the Applied Superconductivity Center.

magnifying glass icon

Search Science Highlights

Search our library of Science Highlights to see notable research from all of our facilities.


Last modified on 29 December 2022