Research on High-Temperature Superconducting Materials

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, superconductor technology has attracted increasing attention because of the advancements in material manufacturing technology and the reduction in cost. High-temperature superconductors (HTSs) have become progressively appealing on account of their commercial availability and superior current carrying capacity compared to low-temperature superconducting materials. However, there still exist many challenges with regard to their stability and reliability in practical applications since HTSs can be quenched when exposed to a complex electromagnetic environment. For example, a high magnetic field can cause a reduction in the critical current, and significant power dissipation can lead to the occurrence of a hot spot. To successfully exploit HTSs in practice, it is of great significance to clarify their electro-mechanical-thermal behaviours in different scenarios.

The properties of high-temperature superconducting materials are determined by both their intrinsic characteristics (e.g., crystal structure, grain, defect, etc.) and the external environment (e.g., temperature, pressure, electromagnetic field, etc.). Nevertheless, the physical mechanism behind the superconductivity of such inorganic crystalline ceramics remains unclear, as it cannot be fully explained by either the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory, the resonating valence bond theory, or the spin fluctuation theory.

In view of the above, it is worth further investigating the correlation between the high-temperature superconductivity and the microscopic structures of HTSs and exploring their electromagnetic, mechanical, as well as thermal characteristics in various physical/chemical/engineering scenarios. This Special Issue is aimed at providing a useful platform for scientists and researchers working in superconductivity related domains to share new insights and advancements in understanding, characterisation, and application of HTSs, addressing a variety of facets of the topic, including (but not limited to) the following:

• Analytical, numerical, and experimental studies of HTSs
• Electro-mechanical-thermal analysis of HTSs
• Superconductivity mechanism
• Quantum effect
• Crystal structure
• Advanced material processing and manufacturing
• Application of HTSs
• Characterization method of full size HTSs for applications
• Quench protection

Dr. Hongye Zhang
Prof. Dr. Kévin Berger
Guest Editors

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