Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Electrostatic capacitors – Fixed capacitor
Patent
1990-11-13
1992-10-20
Griffin, Donald
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Electrostatic capacitors
Fixed capacitor
H01B 1200, H01G 410
Patent
active
051575817
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
This invention relates to electrically conductive compositions exhibiting superconductivity or superconductor-like behaviour.
It is known that certain ceramic compositions become superconductive with transition temperatures which are as high as 98K. The composition YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x, for example, exhibits this effect and has been closely studied. The mechanism by which superconductivity is achieved is not fully understood but it is believed that the appearance in the Perovskite structure of planes containing only copper and oxygen, is of critical importance. Other ceramic compositions showing this structural feature have been found to exhibit superconductivity and examples can be quoted of La-Ba-Sr-Cu-O; La-Ba-Cu-O, Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O and Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O. The attainment of superconductivity at still higher temperatures has been reported in certain compositions but the results are not readily reproduceable.
It is an object of one aspect of this invention to provide a ceramic composition exhibiting superconductivity, or superconductor-like behaviour at temperatures significantly in excess of 98K.
According to a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a ceramic material containing copper, characterised in that copper ions are maintained substantially independently of temperature in an oxidation state providing a significant population of Cu(I), the material exhibiting superconductivity or superconductor-like behaviour at temperatures in excess of 200K.
Advantageously, the material has the Perovskite structure.
Preferably, the material has a crystal structure with planes comprising substantially only copper and oxygen atoms.
In a further aspect, the present invention consists in a method for use with a composition which exhibits superconductivity below a superconducting transition temperature, characterised by the step of maintaining at least a proportion of a metallic species in the composition in a reduced state, and thereby causing the composition to exhibit superconductivity or superconductor-like behaviour at a temperature significantly in excess of the superconducting transition temperature.
Advantageously, the method comprises chemically or electrochemically reducing said metallic species.
In a still further aspect, the present invention consists in a conductor exhibiting superconductivity or superconductor-like behaviour at room temperature and comprising a ceramic composition containing a reduced metal species maintained in an environment serving to prevent or inhibit oxidation of said species.
Advantageously, the reduced metal species comprises Cu(I).
In yet a further aspect, the present invention consists in a superconductor comprising a ceramic composition being the negative electrode of an electrochemical cell.
Advantageously, the ceramic composition comprises planes containing substantially only copper and oxygen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
This invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method according to this invention with means for measuring electrical resistance.
FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the result of a resistance measurement made by the method illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are graphs showing the results of cyclic voltammetric measurements;
FIG. 4 is a section through a superconductor according to this invention.
FIG. 5 is a section through a modified superconductor according to this invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating terminations of the superconductor shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 illustrates in schematic form a control device according to this invention;
FIG. 8 illustrates in schematic form a modified control device;
FIG. 9 is a section through a Josephson junction according to this invention;
FIG. 10 is a section similar to FIG. 9 illustrating a modification according to this invention;
FIG. 11 is a perspective and somewhat schematic view of a motor according to this invention;
FIG. 12 is a di
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Fortune, Jun. 22, 1987, 505-1, pp. 114 to 116 and 118.
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Nature, vol. 328, Jul. 30, 1987, pp. 403-404.
Elmwood Sensors Limited
Griffin Donald
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