Exploration of new superconductors and functional materials, and fabrication of superconducting tapes and wires of iron pnictides

Abstract

This review shows the highlights of a 4-year-long research project supported by the Japanese Government to explore new superconducting materials and relevant functional materials. The project found several tens of new superconductors by examining ∼1000 materials, each of which was chosen by Japanese experts with a background in solid state chemistry. This review summarizes the major achievements of the project in newly found superconducting materials, and the fabrication wires and tapes of iron-based superconductors; it incorporates a list of ∼700 unsuccessful materials examined for superconductivity in the project. In addition, described are new functional materials and functionalities discovered during the project.

Keywords

• superconductivity
• iron pnictide
• new superconductors
• superconducting wire
• superconducting tape
• functional material
• powder in tube