Electro-magnetic properties and engineering applications of single-domain high temperature superconductor yttrium barium copper oxide

High temperature superconductors (HTS) exhibit a commonly known Meissner effect, which can cause a unusually strong magnetic repulsion. Using this effect, magnetic bearings have been constructed with 1000 times less friction than that of conventional bearings. The commercialization of the flywheel energy storage device (FESD) could mean cost-savings for the electric power industry. For instance, using a flywheel device, the energy can be generated most efficiently at a steady rate, and meet the high demand in peak daytime hours. Since the magnetic levitation using HTS involves very little friction, only about 0.1 percent of stored energy is lost per hour making electricity consumption most economic. As FESD is to be commercialized in the future, need for more expensive fossil fuel generating plants would be reduced or eliminated.; In magnetic levitation using an anisotropic HTS such as YBa₂Cu ₃O_x, it has been reported that the levitation force is determined by sample geometry and flux pinning strength. Previous studies on critical current density and flux creep have indicated that crystal orientation should have a significant effect on levitation force due to superconducting anisotropy. The underline mechanisms governing the levitation force associated with superconducting anisotropy have not, however, been identified. Finding the crystal orientation dependence of the levitation force is not only of great interest to fundamental studies, but also important for industrial applications. For instance, the levitation force has been found to be one of the key parameters influencing the energy loss in flywheel energy storage. Enhancement of the levitation force has been the main goal in HTS materials development for magnetic bearings. The study of the relationship between levitation force and various materials parameters including crystal orientation, flux pinning strength, and geometry provide valuable information in further optimizing the materials performance in industrial applications.; In this dissertation, we report levitation force values of single-domain samples of various orientations. The samples are sectioned from one large single-domain material processed using the seeded melt growth (SMG) method. We also discuss the possible physical mechanism responsible for the levitation behavior observed. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...