The project addresses some of the factors limiting the current density of the new, high-temperature ceramic oxide superconducting materials. It is known that critical current density is much higher along the basal plane of the orthorhomlic structure of the YBa2Cu3O7- material than along the C-axis perpendicular to the basal plane. This project will investigate the effect of precursors, mixing and heat treatment, grinding and separation of superconducting ceramic oxide powder. Emphasis will be on developing schemes for separation of YBa2Cu3O7- powder based on its morphological, compositional and size differences. This may enable orientation of the grains of bulk material preferentially along the direction of current flow.
