Low-cost and high-performance 3D printed advanced ceramic materials [NI-TECH-2020-16]

3D printing of advanced ceramic materials, such as superconductors, is a new approach to obtain cheaper and easily processed complex shapes.

BACKGROUND

Freeform 3D printing enables the production of complex 3D shapes, supressing the need for post machining or reprocessing. A typical example of an advanced ceramic material is the high-temperature superconductor (HTS) YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO-123). Ceramic materials are naturally brittle and the fabrication of complex shapes, required for many applications, is not trivial.

These complex shapes are typically required for trapped field magnets and electrical and electromechanical devices. We are able to fabricate practically any geometry by extrusion of a YBCO-123 paste.

TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW

The production of 3D printed objects composed of the ceramic superconductor YBCO-123 was achieved with the formulation of an appropriate paste which, after the printing process, is annealed and is ready to be used.

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

TRL 7 – system prototype demonstration in operational environment.

BENEFITS

Easily and cheaply produce complex shapes.

APPLICATIONS

Superconductor applications.

OPPORTUNITY

Seeking commercial partners

KEYWORDS
3D printing; ceramic; superconductor; cryogenic.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Know-how based.