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In the same way that metamaterials steer light around objects to hide them, they might also steer electrons through crystal lattices with zero resistance, say physicists.

The plating thickness of 27% (by product weight) gives temperature protection of up to 750°C, as well as providing superb corrosion resistance at negative temperatures such as those prevailing in the Stratosphere which can be as low as -60°C

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies and Chiba University have developed a high-temperature superconducting wire with an ultra-thin polyimide coating only 4μm thick, more than 10 times thinner than the conventional insulation used for high-temperature superconducting wires.

Tests for electric cables under fire conditions - Circuit integrity - Part 1: Test method for fire with shock at a temperature of at least 830°C for cables of rated voltage up to and including 0,6/1,0 kV and with an overall diameter exceeding 20 mm

Cables made from the new wire rod have much better characteristics.  Their durability and resistance to temperature is about 50% higher than normal ones have. Regarding the significant deterioration of the Russian power grids, new cables will benefit not only metals and cables producers but also grid and power companies.  RUSAL's product is also significantly cheaper than its US or European counterparts.  We expect this product will be able to partially supersede the expensive copper cables and broaden aluminium application limits”, commented UC RUSAL’s Technical Director Viktor Mann.

54% Efficient Coal Plants for one third less coal for the same powerThe new thermoelectronic approach promises efficiencies in the high 40-50% range, achieving the latter by acting as a “topping cycle” to a lower temperature steam system. For example a coal furnace burns at ~1500 C (1773 K), but a steam turbine runs at 700 C (973 K) and outputs at 200 C (473 K). Thus there’s significant loss due to the mismatch between furnace and steam power-cycle. A thermoelectronic converter covering the 1773-973 K range will add significantly to the overall power extracted by the power-plant pushing its efficiency above 50%. In this case a 45% efficient coal plant can be pushed to 54%, thus increasing the power output for no additional fuel costs and NO MOVING PARTS.40% efficient concentrated solar powerSwitching to solar-power applications, imagine a thermoelectronic converter at the centre of a concentrator system which focuses sunlight to 500 times its normal intensity (temp ~1900 K.) By using a Photon Enhanced Thermionic Emission (a cousin of the Photoelectric effect) the system can convert raw sunlight to electrical power at over 40% efficiency

To improve energy efficiency, companies are increasingly researching into new methods of reducing losses during energy transmission and generation. High-temperature superconductors (HTS) have been ranked amongst the most effective technologies being developed. Besides this, the growing trend towards new power generation sources and smart grids are the main market drivers for superconducting components such as cables, generators, and storage systems.

The technology to enable the production of cable alloys based on aluminium with an increased resistance to temperature and, as a result, with higher power transmission capacity, was developed jointly with scientists from Siberian Federal University, Ufa State Aviation Technical University and the Chemistry Faculty of Moscow State University. The initial trials were carried out at Tomsk cable plant.

An international team led by University of Toronto physicists has developed a simple new technique to induce high-temperature superconductivity in a semiconductor for the first time - using Scotch Tape.

Researchers working in GE labs have used special magnetic material to achieve temperatures cold enough to freeze water. The breakthrough system, which is projected to be 20 percent more efficient than current refrigeration technology, could be inside your fridge by the end of the decade. 

“We want to see this process used,” Larbalestier said. “We want to build lots of magnets out of Bi-2212, get the wire cost down, useable lengths way up and make Bi-2212 the precursor of new generations of round, twisted, multifilament, high-temperature superconductor wires that will be revolutionize superconducting applications.”