Objective ObjectivesThe primary objective of the project is to develop advanced measurement tools which the European industry and collaborating research institutes need to control the quality and essential transport properties of technical high temperature superconducors (HTS). The main goal is to develop new, and partly modify, laboratory characterisation techniques for quality measurements and pre-normative research on technical superconductors. State of progressThe development of new measuring methods and testbeds proceeds as planned. Both measuring methods for the in-process maximum current measurements are accurately compared. The prototype of testbed for the transport properties is applied in a production environment and has characterised more than 5 km of conductor. A new AC-loss testbed for tapes is developed and tested. The first parametric study of the AC-loss in a tape conductor is performed. Two methods of testing the power loss in a full-scale cable model, based on calorimetric and electrical measuring methods, are compared and found to be in good agreement. Finally a first report on the measuring techniques is prepared and sent to the relevant standardisation body (CENELEC)BackgroundThe development of high temperature superconductors for power applications is focussed on the ceramic compound Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox (Bi2223) operated at 77 kelvin. The ultimate performance of superconductors is presently controlled with benchmark tests on pieces cut from the conductor production. This means that the piece of conductor supplied to the customer is not checked on its relevant superconducting properties. The relatively high price per unit length and the complicated quality characteristics forces to commence the development of new tools for in-process performance testing and standards to cover conductor properties.WorkprogrammeTwo types of measuring techniques are developed and evaluated for the in-process maximum current testbed: a contactless method based on the measurement of an induced magnetic field and a technique with temporary non-destructive contacts. The second objective of the programme aims at the development of testbeds for the determination of AC-losses in superconducting tapes and model power cables. Two types of advanced testbeds are developed. The first type of testbed for the detailed investigation of the influence of different magnetic field components on the AC-loss in single tape superconductors is developed. The second type of testbed is developed for the characterisation of AC-loss in model cables. Two measuring techniques (calorimetrical and electrical) are developed and compared for this testbed. The development of the in-process testbed and the AC-loss testbeds, together with the various developed measuring methods, has provided powerfull R&D tools for the development of technical high temperature superconductors and applications. The various developed measuring methods possibly will be implemented in industrial standards for superconducting tapes and power transmission cables. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssuperconductivity Programme(s) FP4-SMT - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of standards, measurements and testing, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 01 - Measurements for quality European products Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator Universiteit Twente EU contribution No data Address 5,Drienerlolaan 7500 AE Enschede Netherlands See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all ENEL SPA Italy EU contribution No data Address 39,Via Reggio Emilia 39 20090 SEGRATE See on map Total cost No data NKT RESEARCH CENTER A/S Denmark EU contribution No data Address 11,Priorparken 878 2605 BRONDBY See on map Total cost No data PIRELLI CAVI E SISTEMI SPA Italy EU contribution No data Address Viale Sarca 222 20126 MILANO See on map Total cost No data
