EUROTAPES · European development of Superconducting Tapes: integrating novel materials and architectures into cost effective processes for power applications and magnets

High current coated conductors (CC´s) have high potential for developing electrical power applications and very high field magnets. The key issues for market success are low cost robust processes, high performance and a reliable manufacturing methodology of long length conductors. In recent years EU researchers and companies have made substantial progress towards these goals, based on vacuum (PLD) and chemical deposition (CSD) methods, towards nanostructuring of films. This provides a unique opportunity for Europe to integrate these advances in high performance conductors.The EUROTAPES project will address two broad objectives: 1/ the integration of the latest developments into simple conductor architectures for low and medium cost applications and to deliver +500m tapes. Defining of quality control tools and protocols to enhance the processing throughput and yield to achieve a pre-commercial cost target of 100 €/kAm. 2/ Use of advanced methodologies to enhance performance (larger thickness and Ic, enhanced pinning for high fields, reduction of ac losses, increased mechanical strength). Demonstration of high critical currents (Ic>400A/cm-w, at 77K and self-field and Ic>1000A/cm-w at 5K and 15T) and pinning forces (Fp>100GN/m3 at 60 K). The CSD and PLD technologies will be combined to achieve optimized tape architectures, nanostructures and processes to address a variety of HTS applications at self-field, high and ultrahigh magnetic fields. Up to month 36, 3 types of conductors will be developed (RABiT, ABAD and round wire); at Mid Term 2 will be chosen for demonstration during the final 18 months.The consortium consists of 20 partners from 8 member states – 6 universities (Cambridge, UK; Antwerp, B, U.A. Barcelona, ES, TU Cluj, RO, U. Ghent, BE and TU Wien, A), 5 institutes (CSIC-ICMAB, E, ENEA, I, IEE, SK, Inst. Neel-CNRS, F, and IFW, D), 1 technological center (LEITAT, ES) and 8 industrial companies (Bruker, D, Evico, D, Theva, D, Nexans GmbH, D, Percotech, D, Nexans SA, F, Lafarga Lacambra, ES and Oxolutia, ES).