HTS-INKS, led by researchers from ICMAB-CSIC (Spain), is one of the supported research teams in the first S3E Start Programme.
Coated Conductors (CCs) have big potential in the development of High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) power systems. This research team proposes a high throughput HTS technology which will have a huge impact on the industrial scale-up of CCs. It is based on their Transient Liquid Assisted Growth process combined with Chemical Solution Deposition (TLAG-CSD). It is disruptive and enables ultrafast growth of Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) films (~100 times faster than state of the art) by using printing deposition methods (inkjet printing, slot-die coating) and nanocomposites obtained by stabilising preformed nanoparticles in the initial precursor solution. TLAG-CSD is low cost (uses simple reactors), has high growth rates and is environmentally friendly. A key component for the industrial manufacturing of TLAG-CSD nanocomposite CCs is the colloidal inks. This requires the supply of robust, stable and reproducible colloidal inks in large quantities (several litres) compatible with the TLAG-CSD process.
HTS-INKS proposes a new generation of large volume colloidal inks with stabilising agents, which leads to an increase in the solubility of salts and stabilisation of nanoparticles which can be customised for different industrial metallic substrates, and could be further expanded to other CSD growth processes. While main end users of this technology are companies manufacturing superconducting tapes, the benefits extend to the society as a whole. Superconductivity will have a strong impact in advancing energetic sustainability.
Learn more about HTS-INKS by watching the pitch done by project manager Mar Tristany during the Start Open Day last 20 July 2023.
Would you like to get in touch with them? Let us know! Email us at info@south3e.eu