This article depicts the processing and mechanical characterization of a new class of multi-phase composites consisting of epoxy resin reinforced with jute fiber and filled with silicon carbide (SiC) particulates. The SiC used as filler material in this work was prepared from rice husk through plasma-processing technique. The effect of filler in modifying the physical and mechanical properties of jute—epoxy composites has been studied. It is found that the incorporation of rice husk derived SiC modifies the tensile, flexural, and inter-laminar shear strengths of the jute—epoxy composites. The micro-hardness and density of the composites are also greatly influenced by the content of these fillers.
The effect of hybrid (columnar and spherical together) artificial pinning centers (APCs) on the vortex pinning properties of YBCO thin films is investigated in detail on the basis of variation of critical current density (JC) with applied magnetic field and also with the orientation of the applied magnetic field at 65 K and 77 K. Premixed YBCO+BaSnO3 composite targets are used for the deposition of the YBCO films consisting of self-assembled BaSnO3 nanocolumns (1-D APCs) whereas for the deposition of the YBCO films with hybrid APCs (BaSnO3 nanocolumns together with Y2O3 nanoparticles), the surface of the premixed YBCO+ BaSnO3 composite targets are modified by putting a thin Y2O3 sectored piece on the premixed target by means of silver paste. Fpmax. value increases systematically with incorporation of 1-D and 1-D+3-D APCs and it also shifts towards higher applied magnetic fields. Films with 1-D APCs exhibits strong JC peak at = 0° (H//c-axis) whereas films consisting of hybrid APCs exhibit enhanced JC at all the investigated angular regime. A possible mechanism of vortex pinning in samples with hybrid APCs is also discussed suggesting the role of 1-D and 3-D APCs.
The lossless transmission of direct electrical currents in superconductors is very often regarded as an "energy superhighway" with greatly enhanced efficiency. With the discovery of high temperature superconductors (HTS) in the late eighties, the prospect of using these materials in efficient and advanced technological applications became very prominent. The elevated operating temperatures as compared to low temperature superconductors (LTS), relaxing cooling requirements, and the gradual development of facile synthesis processes raised hopes for a broad breakthrough of superconductor technology. The impact of superconductor technology on the economy and energy sectors is predicted to be huge if these are utilized on a large scale. The development of superconducting tapes with high critical current density (J c) is crucial for their use in transmission cables. Many countries these days are running projects to develop wires from these HTS materials and simultaneously field trials are being conducted to assess the feasibility of this technology. These HTS wires can carry electrical currents more than 100 times larger than their conventional counterparts with minimal loss of energy. The increased efficiency of HTS electric power products may result in greatly reduced carbon emissions compared to those resulting from using the conventional alternatives. In order to use the thin films of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (YBCO) and REBCO [RE (rare-earth) = Sm, Gd, Eu etc.], members of the HTS family, for future technological applications, the enhancement of J c over wide range of temperatures and applied magnetic fields is highly desired. The enhancement of J c of YBCO and REBCO films has been successfully demonstrated by employing different techniques which include doping by rare-earth atoms, incorporating nanoscale secondary phase inclusions into the REBCO film matrix, decoration of the substrate surface etc. which generate artificial pinning centers (APCs). In this review, the development of the materials engineering aspect that has been conducted over the last two decades to improve the current carrying capability of HTS thin films is presented. The effect of controlled incorporation of APCs through various methods and techniques on the superconducting properties of YBCO and REBCO thin films is presented, heading toward superior performance of such superconducting thin films.
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