Jointing high temperature superconductors for practical ultra-high field magnets

The next generation of ultra-high field magnets for magnetic resonance applications in healthcare and materials characterisation will need us to take advantage of the exceptional properties of high temperature superconducting materials. One of the most challenging design features in these magnets is the requirement for joints between individual lengths of superconducting wire that allow the passage of persistent currents that do not decay over time, and this requires joint resistances less than 10^-14 Ohms in very high magnetic fields. This industrial case studentship project funded by Oxford Instruments is to design novel processes to form joints between commercial Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 and/or REBa2Cu3O7 high temperature superconducting wires, and to measure their performance under real engineering conditions. The student will be able to spend time in the laboratories of Oxford Instruments, and will become an expert in the correlation of microstructure with superconducting properties of materials critical for future magnet designs.

This is a 4-year EPSRC Industrial CASE studentship in association with Oxford Instruments and will provide course fees and a stipend of at least £17,609 per year.  

Candidates will be considered after the March 2022 admissions field has closed. The March admissions field has an application deadline of 1 March 2022. In addition to applicants who apply in the March admissions field, suitable candidates who applied in the November and January admissions fields may be considered for the present studentship.

Any questions concerning the project can be addressed to Professor Susie Speller ([Email Address Removed]) and Professor Chris Grovenor ([Email Address Removed]). General enquiries on how to apply can be made by e‑mail to [Email Address Removed]. You must complete the standard Oxford University Application for Graduate Studies. Further information and an electronic copy of the application form can be found at https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/applying-to-oxford .