H.K.
E SOCIETY’S
POOJYA DODDAPPA APPA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
KALABURAGI- 585102
(An Autonomous Institution, affiliated to VTU Belagavi, and Approved by AICTE)
A
SEMINAR REPORT
ON
“ULTRA-CONDUCTORS”
Submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
IN
ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
For the academic year 2022-2023
Submitted By
AMIT.PATIL(3PD19EC012)
Under the Guidance of
Prof. VEERANNA.G
Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering
H.K.E SOCIETY’S
POOJYA DODDAPPA APPA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
KALABURAGI- 585102
(An Autonomous Institution, affiliated to VTU Belagavi, and Approved by AICTE)
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
VISION:
To be a premier department in Electronics and Communication Engineering field by
providing quality education through teaching, learning, research and innovations to serve
the industry and society.
MISSION:
➢ Develop an environment for better teaching and learning in collaboration
with industry, premier institutes and alumni.
➢ Produce competent engineers to meet the requirements of the industry and
the society.
➢ Encourage students to pursue higher education, research work and to take
up administrative responsibilities through leadership.
Acknowledgement
I express my deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to my esteemed
institute PDA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, KALABURAGI which has
provided me an opportunity to fulfil the most cherished desire to reach my
goal.
I express my foremost gratitude to my principal Dr.S.R.Mise, for his
constant support and valuable guidance.
I am thankful to Dr.G.S. Biradar, Head of the Department of Electronics
and Communication Engineering, for giving permission to carry out this
seminar in the college.
I express special gratitude to my guide Prof.Veeranna.G, for her
inspiration, guidance, constant supervision, direction, and discussions in
successful completion of the Seminar.
I express my heartfelt thanks to the staff members of Electronics and
Communication Engineering department, who helped me in completion of this
Seminar directly and indirectly within the schedule period.
Finally, I am very thankful to my beloved parents and friends.
AMIT.PATIL
(3PD19EC012)
TABLE OFCONTENTS
Sl. No. Particulars Page No.
1 INTRODUCTION 1
2 LITERATURE SURVEY 2
3 BLOCK DIAGRAM AND EXPLAINATION 4
4 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 12
5 APPLICATIONS 14
6 FUTURE SCOPE 18
7 CONCLUSION 19
8 BIBILOGRAPHY 21
ULTRACONDUCTORS
CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION
Ultraconductors are a type of material that possess the ability to conduct electricity without any resistance.
This means that an electric current can flow through an ultraconductor indefinitely without losing any
energy due to resistance. Unlike traditional conductors, which lose energy in the form of heat, ultra -
conductors can maintain a constant current flow without any loss of energy.
Ultraconductors are typically made from a combination of metals and ceramics, such as copper and yttrium
barium copper oxide. These materials are chosen for their ability to conduct electricity and their ability to
maintain their properties at low temperatures.
These materials can revolutionize the way we use and store electricity, leading to improved energy
efficiency and reduced energy loss.
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CHAPTER 2:
Literature Survey
1. “ANALYSIS OF ULTRACONDUCTORS AND
SUPERCONDUCTORS”
By “REDDY D SIRISH KUMAR” on (sep 2019)
This paper analyzes the properties and potential applications of the Ultraconductors and superconductors.
These are materials that have very low resistance to flow of electricity. It also explains challenges associated
with using these materials, such as their high cost and the need for cooling system to maintain their
properties
The author suggests that ultra conductors and superconductors have many potential applications in various
fields, including power transmission, medical imaging, and transportation. The paper also provides an
overview of the current research and development efforts in this field and the potential future advancements.
2. “A Review Paper on Recent Progress in Superconductor
Theory, Materials and Devices”
By “Serap Ogmen” on (March 2018)
This paper discusses recent advancements in the field of superconductivity, which is the ability of certain
materials to conduct electricity with zero resistance at low temperatures. The author highlights progress in
three areas: theory, materials, and devices.
In terms of theory, the author discusses the development of new models and computational methods to better
understand the physics behind superconductivity. These theoretical advancements have helped researchers to
design new superconducting materials with improved properties and to optimize the performance of
superconducting devices.
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ULTRACONDUCTORS
In terms of materials, the author highlights the discovery of new superconducting materials with higher
critical temperatures, which is the temperature below which a material exhibits superconductivity. These
new materials, such as iron-based superconductors and copper-based high-temperature superconductors,
have potential applications in fields such as energy storage and transportation.
In terms of devices, the author discusses the development of new superconducting technologies, such as
superconducting qubits for quantum computing and superconducting wires for power transmission. The
author also highlights the development of new fabrication techniques for superconducting devices, which
can improve their efficiency and scalability.
3. “State-of-the-art of superconducting materials and their
energy-efficiency applications.”
By “Katerina Ilieva & Ognyan Dinolov” on (Nov 2020)
This paper reviews the latest developments in superconducting materials and their applications in energy-
efficient systems. Superconducting materials are known for their ability to conduct electricity with zero
resistance, making them ideal for use in electrical systems that require high efficiency.
The paper provides an overview of different types of superconducting materials, including high-temperature
and low-temperature superconductors, and their properties. It also discusses the potential applications of
superconductors in various energy-efficient systems, such as power transmission, energy storage, and
magnetic levitation.
The authors highlight the potential benefits of using superconductors in energy-efficient systems, including
reduced energy loss, increased power density, and improved performance. They also discuss the challenges
associated with the use of superconductors, such as the high cost and the need for cooling systems to
maintain their superconducting properties.
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ULTRACONDUCTORS
CHAPTER 3:
Explanation.
Ultraconductors follows the superconductivity Principle.Superconductivity is observable fact in which the
conductor losses its complete resistance when kept at tempertaure 100°C above absolute Zero(-273°K),and
this temperature is also known as Critical Temperature.This occurrence of superconductivity was
discovered by Dutch Physicist; “Heike Kamerlingh Onnes in 1911”.
The Conductors which shows the superconductivity are called Ultraconductors. However the rate of
electrical conduction increases with the decrease in the temperature. It is observed that when curren passes
through pure mercury wire with gradual decrease in the emperature ,it was observed that there was no
resistance at temperature of 4.2 Kelvin.
The superconductors re also known as Ultraconductors ,These conductors ave the caapacity to conduct
electricity with insignificant energy loss. The electronic activity inside a superconductor will be
entirely different. The resistance provides the obstruction to electrons and obstructions offered due
to a collision of electrons with impurities and web framework. But the movement of
superconducting electrons through these obstacles is quite different. The electrons inside
superconductors travel in such a way that, they pass without any interruption through the complex
lattice. As there is no interruption involved, there will be no collision and this creates no friction. It
results in the transmission of electricity without loss in the current and energy. Let us see the theory
of superconductivity.
Fig1:- The above graph is of Normal conductors v/s Ultra conductors.
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ULTRACONDUCTORS
3.1 BCS Theory :-
The contribution of Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer explains about the superconductivity at a
temperature close to the zero temperature and cooper discovered that atomic lattice vibrations were
responsible for unifying the entire current; the electrons are forced to pair up in teams that could
easily pass through the hurdles which are accountable for resistance in the conductor. While this
theory successfully represents the attraction of electrons to one another through crystalline lattice
structure, although electrons have the same charge. When the oscillation of la ttice takes place in
positive and negative regions, the electron pair is pulled jointly and pushed aside without collision.
Here, the electron pairing is favorable as it has the tendency of putting the element into lesser
energy state. Once they combine together in the pair, then they move in a well-defined manner
through ultra conductors. Below a critical temperature, the paired electrons form a macroscopically
occupied single quantum state. The figure below represents the complete procedure. Here the
electron pair is moving through the lattice containing positive ions surrounding the cooper pair.
Fig2: - The mechanism of Cooper pair formation.
These are the three important factors which define the superconducting state:
• Critical Temperature (T): It is the utmost temperature at which superconductivity occurs in a
material. Below this transition temperature T is the resistance of a particular element that
becomes equal to zero.
• Critical Magnetic Field (Hc): This is the value of applied field above which the
superconducting state will be changed to non-superconducting state.
• Critical Current Density (Jc): Is the highest value of current per unit cross -sectional area that
can be carried by superconductor without resistance.
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ULTRACONDUCTORS
3.2 Meissener Effect :-
Ultraconductors work by taking advantage of a phenomenon known as the Meissner effect. This effect
occurs when a material is cooled below a certain temperature, known as the critical temperature. At this
temperature, the material becomes a superconductor and is able to conduct electricity without any resistance.
Hence the material’s electrical conductivity becomes so high that he magnetic field’s cannot penetrate it, and
instead they are forced to flow around the materials surface.
Fig 3: - Depicting the Meissner effect in superconductivity.
We can see the superconductivity behaviors of certain materials in the below image with their
characteristic critical temperatures.
Fig 4:- The superconductivity behaviors of certain materials with their characteristic critical
temperatures.
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3.3 Classification of Superconductors
➢ Based on Magnetic Properties
Type-I:
1. Low critical temparature typically in the range of 0K to 10K.
2. Low critical magnetic field typically in the range of 0.0000049T to 1T.
3. Perfectly obey te meissner effect: Magnetic field cannot penetrate inside the material.
4. Exibits single critical magnetic field.
5. Easily loose the superconducting state by low-intensity magnetic field. Therefore, Type-I
superconductors are known as soft superconductors.
6. Type-I superconductors are generally pure metals. Eg: Hg(Mercury), Pb(Lead), Zn(Zinc).
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Type-II:
1. High critical temparature typically greater than 10K.
2. High critical magnetic field typically greater than 1T.
3. Partly obey the Meissner effect but not completely: Magnetic field can penetrate inside the materials.
4. Exibits two critical magnetic field
5. Does not easily use the supeconducting state by external magnetic field. Therefore, type-II
superconductors are also known as hard superconductors.
6. Type -II super conductors are generally alloys and complex oxides of ceramics. Eg: NbTi(Niobium,
Titanium). , Nb3Sn(Trinibium Tin).
➢ Based on Critical Temperature
Low Temparature SuperConductors(LTS):
1. These are the type of semiconducting material that exibiy superconductivity at temparature below
-196oC.
2. These are typically made from metal such as Niobium, Lead, Tin.
3. LTS also exibit a phenomenon known as Meissner effect, which is complete expulsion of
magnetic field from bulk of material, when it become superconducting. This means LTS are
perfect diamagnetic.
4. LTS have some limitation. They require extremely low temparature to maintain their
superconducting properties, which makes them difficult and expensive to use in practical
applications.
High Temparature SuperConductors(HTS):
1. This high temparature superconducter are made from ceramic materials.
2. This High Temperature Superconductors are having a critical temparature above 30K upto 135K.
3. High temperature super conductors can be cooled with more practical coolantes such as liquid
Nitrogen, which makes easier and less expensive to use.
4. HTS are more difficult and expensive to produce due to the complex ceramic materials and
processing techniques involved.
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3.4 Properties of Ultraconductors
• Zero Electrical Resistance: The most notable property of Ultra Conductors is their zero electrical
resistance. This means that they can conduct electricity with 100% efficiency, without generating any
heat or wasting any energy.
• High Current Carrying Capacity: Ultra Conductors have the ability to carry large amounts of
electrical current without any significant loss of energy. This property makes them suitable for high-
power applications, such as power transmission and energy storage.
• Low Power Loss: Ultra Conductors have very low power loss, which means that they can transmit
electricity over long distances without significant energy loss. This makes them ideal for applications
where energy efficiency is critical.
• Temperature Dependence: Ultra Conductors typically have a critical temperature (Tc) above which
they lose their superconducting properties. The Tc value varies depending on the type of
Ultraconductor and its composition.
• Strong diamagnetism: Ultra Conductors can exhibit unique magnetic properties, such as the Meissner
effect, which causes them to expel magnetic fields from their interior.
• Type of Material: Ultra Conductors come in different types, including ceramic, metallic, and
polymer-based materials. Each type of Ultraconductor has its unique properties that make it ideal for
different applications.
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ULTRACONDUCTORS
3.5 Challenges in Ultra Conductors
• High Production Cost: Ultra Conductors are typically more expensive to produce than traditional
conductors, which can limit their widespread adoption.
• Limited Tc Values: Although Tc values for Ultra Conductors have increased over time, they are
still relatively low compared to traditional conductors. This limits their use in high-power
applications that require Ultra-low temperatures.
• Brittle and Fragile: Ceramic Ultra Conductors can be brittle and fragile, which can make them
difficult to work with and limit their use in applications that require flexibility or durability.
• Limited Applications: Ultra Conductors are currently limited to specific applications, such as MRI
machines, particle accelerators, and power transmission. Further research is needed to explore their
potential use in other applications.
• Magnetic Field Limitations: Ultra Conductors can only carry a limited amount of electrical
current in the presence of a magnetic field. This can limit their use in applications where strong
magnetic fields are present, such as in magnetic levitation (maglev) trains.
• Synthesis Challenges: The synthesis of Ultra Conductors can be challenging and time-consuming,
which can limit their availability and scalability.
• Cooling Requirements: Most Ultra Conductors require cooling to Ultra-low temperatures (below -
200°C) to maintain their superconducting properties. This cooling process can be energy-intensive
and expensive, which can limit the use of Ultra Conductors in practical applications.
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• Critical Current Density: Ultra Conductors have a critical current density (Jc) limit, which
determines the maximum amount of electrical current they can carry. The Jc limit for Ultra
Conductors is typically lower than traditional conductors, which can limit their use in high-power
applications.
• Size Limitations: Ultra Conductors are typically brittle and difficult to fabricate into complex
shapes, which can limit their use in applications that require flexibility or customization.
• Environmental Concerns: Some Ultra Conductors contain rare or toxic materials, which can raise
environmental concerns regarding their production, use, and disposal.
• Stability Issues: Ultra Conductors can exhibit stability issues in the presence of magnetic fields or
high electrical currents, which can cause them to lose their superconducting properties.
• Integration Challenges: Integrating Ultra Conductors with existing electrical systems can be
challenging due to their unique properties and cooling requirements.
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CHAPTER 4:
Advantages and Disadvantages
4.1 Advantages:
• Zero electrical resistance, which means they can transport electrical power with almost no energy
loss.
• Higher current density than traditional copper wires, which means they can handle more power in a
smaller space.
• Smaller and lighter than traditional copper wires, which can be useful in applications where space is
limited or weight is a concern.
• Strong magnetic properties, which can be used for applications such as magnetic levitation for
transportation and high-strength magnets for medical devices.
• Improved efficiency in power transmission, which can lead to energy savings and reduced
greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduced need for cooling in some applications, as Ultra Conductors can operate at higher
temperatures than traditional superconductors .
• Improved reliability, as Ultra Conductors are less susceptible to electrical interference and can
reduce the risk of power outages.
• Improved power quality, as Ultra Conductors can reduce the need for power factor correction and
reduce harmonic distortion.
• Reduced maintenance costs, as Ultra Conductors are more durable than traditional copper wires and
require less maintenance.
• Potential for new and innovative applications in industries such as transportation, energy production,
and computing.
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4.2 Disadvantages
• High cost compared to traditional copper wires, which limits their widespread use in industry.
• Limited availability of materials used to make Ultra conductors, which makes them expensive and
difficult to produce.
• Fragility and susceptibility to damage, which makes them difficult to work with and limits their use
in some applications.
• Required cooling to very low temperatures using liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic liquids, which
adds complexity and cost to their use.
• Potential safety risks associated with handling cryogenic liquids.
• Limited operating temperature range, as Ultra Conductors can only operate at temperatures above the
boiling point of liquid nitrogen.
• The need for specialized equipment and expertise to handle Ultra Conductors, which can increase the
cost of their use.
• Potential for electromagnetic interference and unwanted noise in some applications.
• Potential for superconductivity to be disrupted by external magnetic fields or other factors, which
can reduce their effectiveness.
• Potential for manufacturing defects or impurities to affect performance, which can reduce reliability
and increase costs.
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CHAPTER 5:
Applications
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines: Ultra Conductors are used in MRI machines
to create the strong magnetic fields required for imaging. They provide high-quality images with
less interference and noise than traditional copper wires.
• Power transmission lines: Ultra Conductors can be used to transmit electricity over long
distances with minimal energy loss and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Fig: Power transmission lines
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• Electrical motors and generators: Ultra Conductors can increase the efficiency of electrical
motors and generators by reducing energy loss and improving power quality.
Fig: Electrical motors and generators
• Energy storage systems: Ultra Conductors can be used to store electrical energy with high
efficiency and low energy loss.
Fig: Energy storage systems
• Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems: Ultra Conductors can be used in
SMES systems to store large amounts of energy in magnetic fields for use during power outages
or peak demand periods.
Fig: Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) system
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• High-speed trains and transportation: Ultra Conductors can be used for magnetic levitation
and propulsion in high-speed trains and other transportation systems, reducing friction and
increasing efficiency.
Fig: High-speed trains and transportation
• Fusion reactors: Ultra Conductors can be used in the superconducting magnets required for
fusion reactors, allowing for higher magnetic fields and increased fusion power.
Fig: Fusion Reactors
• Particle accelerators: Ultra Conductors can be used in the superconducting magnets required
for particle accelerators, allowing for higher energy particles and increased research capabilities.
Fig: Particle accelerators
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• Wind turbines: Ultra Conductors can be used in the generators of wind turbines, increasing
efficiency, and reducing maintenance costs.
Fig: Wind turbines
• Computing and data storage: Ultra Conductors can be used in high-performance computing
and data storage systems, improving processing speed and reducing energy consumption.
Fig: Computing and data storage
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CHAPTER 6:
6. Future Scope
Some future scope of Ultra conductors includes
• Sustainable energy: Ultra Conductors could play a key role in the development of renewable energy
technologies, such as wind and solar power, by improving energy storage and transmission
capabilities.
• Electric vehicles: Ultra Conductors could be used in electric vehicle motors to increase efficiency
and range, leading to more widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
• Quantum computing: Ultra Conductors could be used in the development of quantum computing
systems, which require superconducting materials for efficient operation.
• Space exploration: Ultra Conductors could be used in space exploration missions for high-energy
propulsion systems and energy storage.
• Advanced manufacturing: Ultra Conductors could be used in the development of advanced
manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, to create complex components with greater
precision and efficiency.
• Aerospace industry: Ultra Conductors could be used in aerospace applications, such as satellite
propulsion and energy storage systems, where weight and space limitations are critical.
• Medical devices: Ultra Conductors could be used in medical devices, such as magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) machines and medical implants, for improved performance and reduced energy
consumption.
• Smart grids: Ultra Conductors could be used to create more efficient and resilient energy grids, with
improved monitoring and control capabilities.
• National defense: Ultra Conductors could be used in national defense applications, such as advanced
weapon systems and high-energy propulsion systems for military aircraft and ships.
• Energy harvesting: Ultra Conductors could be used in energy harvesting technologies, such as
capturing waste heat from industrial processes and converting it into electrical energy.
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CHAPTER 7:
7. Conclusion
In conclusion, Ultra Conductors are a promising class of materials with unique properties that offer potential
benefits in a wide range of applications. They can carry electrical currents with zero resistance at very low
temperatures, which makes them highly efficient and allows for the creation of powerful magnetic fields.
Although Ultra Conductors are not yet widely used in industry due to their high cost, limited availability, and
technical challenges, ongoing research and development efforts continue to explore their potential in a variety
of fields. As materials science and manufacturing techniques continue to advance, it is likely that Ultra
Conductors will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of energy, transportation, computing,
and other fields.
Ultra Conductors are a class of materials with unique properties that have the potential to revolutionize various
fields of technology. They are superconductors that can carry electrical currents with zero resistance, making
them highly efficient in the transmission of electricity and the creation of powerful magnetic fields. This
property is due to the fact that Ultra Conductors can operate at temperatures much higher than traditional
superconductors, making them more practical for use in various applications.
One of the most significant advantages of Ultra Conductors is their ability to transmit electricity with almost
no energy loss. This means that they could help reduce the amount of energy waste in the transmission of
electricity and improve the efficiency of electrical devices. Ultra Conductors also have the potential to store
large amounts of electrical energy with high efficiency, which could help improve energy storage
technologies.
Another potential application of Ultra Conductors is in transportation, including high-speed trains and electric
vehicles. By using Ultra Conductors in motors and generators, these vehicles could become more energy-
efficient, have longer ranges, and be able to accelerate faster. They could also reduce carbon emissions from
transportation, helping to mitigate climate change.
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Ultra Conductors also have potential uses in medical imaging technologies, such as MRI machines, as they
can create stronger magnetic fields with less interference and noise than traditional copper wires. Other
potential applications include use in particle accelerators, wind turbines, and space exploration, among others.
Despite these advantages, there are also several challenges associated with the use of Ultra Conductors. These
include high production costs, limited availability of materials, and the need for cryogenic cooling systems.
Additionally, Ultra Conductors can be brittle and prone to damage, which can limit their use in certain
applications.
In conclusion, Ultra Conductors are a promising class of materials that offer potential benefits in a wide range
of applications. Although challenges exist, ongoing research and development efforts continue to explore their
potential for use in a variety of fields, and it is likely that they will play an increasingly important role in
shaping the future of technology.
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CHAPTER 7
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. “Analysis of Ultraconductors and superconductors” by Reddy D Sirish Kumar published in
Anveshana’s International Journal Of Research in Engineering And Applied Science, Sep 2019.
2. A Reviews Paper names “Recent progress in Superconductor Theory, Materials and Device” by
Serap Ogmen at KOC University, Istanbul.
3. “State-of-the-art of superconducting materials and their energy-efficiency applications” by
Katerina Ilieva et al. in 7th International Conference on Energy Efficiency and Agricultural
Engineering (EE&AE), 2020.
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