Plenary talk — Development of superconductor materials for applications

The Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM) has built an interdisciplinary research capability in advanced materials and technology for energy applications including superconductors for energy generation, energy transmission, storage and electrical devices. We have made a breakthrough in the fabrication of wires from the superconductor magnesium diboride by using nano-scale doping. They have achieved a world record high critical current carrying capacity in superconducting MgB₂ wires and a record high upper critical field for the nano-scale carbon containing particles doped MgB₂. This is one of the most important advances since the discovery of superconductivity in this material and has an important impact on the development of technological uperconductors. This emerging superconductor would have practical applications, such as wind turbine generators, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fault current limiters, power cables, motors, energy storages, generators, magnetic separators and transformers, and will lead to enormous energy and cost savings.