Office of IP Development and Commercialization

Sol-Gel Method of Insulating Superconductors

Invention Description
High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) may hold the key to a number of applications including energy storage, power transmission, environmental friendly transformers and high field insert coils. A thin, thermally stable, well-adhered insulation is needed for the fabrication of HTS coils. Due to the brittle nature of HTS materials the “Wind and React” (W & R) approach is employed. Therefore high temperature compatible insulating material is required for the turn to turn electrical insulation in the W & R HTS coils. FSU researchers at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) have developed a sol-gel dip coating to coat PIT HTS conductors with a thin, uniform insulation layer. The thickness of this oxide insulation layer can be varied between 2-3 µm to 30µm.

State of Development

Prototype created

Potential Applications

Fabrication of HTS and LTS coils

Benefits and Advantages

Produces a thin, fully surrounding electrically insulating layer and therefore higher packing densities and superior electrical properties in superconducting magnet coils

30% improvement over previous spray insulation

The coating can be very thin and still provide insulation

The thickness can easily be controlled as desired, 2-3 µm to 30µm

It is an all-round insulation opening the way for layer wound solenoid coils

Bonding is excellent

Since it is a wheel to wheel operation, handling longer lengths is no problem

Highly scratch resistant making handling and coil winding easier

For further assistance please contact:
Office of IP Development & Commercialization
2010 Levy Avenue, Suite 276-C
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2743
Ph: (850) 644-8637
Fax: (850) 644-3675

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