| Posted: November 6, 2006 |
EU network focuses on nanoengineered superconductors for power applications |
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(Nanowerk News) The Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research in Dresden/Germany announced the start of a new European research project under the 6th Framework Program called NESPA - NanoEngineered Superconductors for Power Applications.
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Starting in October 2006 leading experts from 13 European universities, research centres and industrial companies will establish NESPA, a Marie Curie Research and Training Network funded within the EU´s 6th framework programme and coordinated by the IFW Dresden. The Research and Training Network NESPA will focus on the research topic of the development of high temperature superconductor (HTS) materials for power applications. This highly multidisciplinary task involves research tasks in chemistry, physics, materials science and electrical engineering. The main research directions will be: (i) the controlled nano-engineering of superconducting materials (thin films, wires and bulk) to enhance flux pinning and thus to improve the material performance in magnetic fields and (ii) the development of advanced HTS bulk material and coated conductors and MgB2 tapes. To allow a successful introduction of HTS applications into the market other enabling technologies, such as cryocoolers and cryogenic envelopes are needed and will be improved and developed within the network.
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A key task of the project is the education and training of Early Stage and Experienced Researchers. The integration of the knowledge of industrial partners and academia will offer valuable training and education possibilities in the field of physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering as well as in industry relevant topics, such as intellectual property rights, quality management or special application requirements like refrigeration, cryogenics and ac-losses.
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The program duration is from October 2006 to October 2010. Project funding is €4 million. Besides the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, which is taking the lead, 13 European research labs participate in this program.
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