Researchers Break Record for Iron-Based Superconducting Wires

A collaborative research team led by Prof. Ma Yanwei from the Institute of Electrical Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has achieved a significant breakthrough in the performance of iron-based superconducting wires. Their innovative research, published in the journal Advanced Materials on November 5, 2025, introduces a novel method to enhance current-carrying capacity through asymmetric stress engineering.

This advancement relies on a strategic approach to creating high-density flux pinning centers, crucial for improving superconducting performance. The Steady High Magnetic Field Facility (CHMFL) at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science played a vital role in this research by providing the necessary experimental support, particularly with its water-cooled magnet, WM5.

Iron-based superconductors are pivotal for the development of next-generation technologies, including particle accelerators, fusion devices, and magnetic resonance imaging systems. These materials are valued for their high critical fields, low anisotropy, and cost-effectiveness. However, their inherent brittleness complicates the introduction of dense flux pinning centers, which are essential for facilitating substantial lossless currents.

In this groundbreaking study, the research team employed scalable extrusion technology to achieve precise control over hydrostatic pressure and shear stress. This manipulation allowed for localized lattice slip and twisting within the rigid crystal structure of the superconductors. As a result, they generated a high density of dislocations, which were subsequently optimized through a heat treatment process to create ordered arrays. This development resulted in an efficient network of flux pinning centers.

The results of the study were striking. The critical current density (J c) of the engineered wires displayed remarkable increases. At a magnetic field strength of 10 tesla (T), J c surged from 1.5×10^5 A/cm² to 4.5×10^5 A/cm². When tested at 30 T, the current density reached 2.1×10^5 A/cm², a fivefold improvement over previous benchmarks, thereby establishing a new global record for iron-based superconducting wires.

“Testing these high-performance wires required magnetic fields above 30 T, which was made possible by CHMFL,” explained Prof. Ma. “Its WM5 water-cooled magnet provided the crucial experimental environment to verify the wires’ current-carrying capabilities under such extreme conditions, ensuring the reliability of the breakthrough.”

This research not only sets a new standard for iron-based superconducting wires but also opens a low-cost pathway for their development. The implications of this work are significant, potentially accelerating the practical application of these materials in cutting-edge high-field technologies.

For further details, refer to the study by Meng Han et al., titled “Asymmetric Stress Engineering of Dense Dislocations in Brittle Superconductors for Strong Vortex Pinning,” published in Advanced Materials in 2025. The work exemplifies how innovative engineering techniques can lead to substantial advancements in material science.