Researchers Break Records in Iron-Based Superconducting Wires

A research team led by Prof. Ma Yanwei from the Institute of Electrical Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has achieved a groundbreaking advancement in the current-carrying performance of iron-based superconducting wires. This achievement, which sets a new global record, was made possible through innovative engineering techniques involving asymmetric stress fields and is detailed in the journal Advanced Materials.

This collaborative effort included significant contributions from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, particularly through the utilization of the Steady High Magnetic Field Facility (CHMFL). The facility’s WM5 water-cooled magnet played a critical role in testing the wires under extreme conditions, essential for validating their exceptional capabilities.

Iron-based superconductors are essential for the development of advanced technologies, including particle accelerators, fusion devices, and magnetic resonance imaging systems. They are prized for their high critical fields and cost-effectiveness. However, the inherent brittleness of their crystal lattice complicates the introduction of dense flux pinning centers, which are necessary for supporting large lossless currents.

To overcome these challenges, the researchers devised a novel approach. By employing scalable extrusion technology, they achieved precise control over both hydrostatic pressure and shear stress. This method induced localized lattice slip and twisting within the rigid crystal structure, generating a high density of dislocations. These dislocations were subsequently optimized through heat treatment, resulting in ordered arrays that form an efficient network of flux pinning centers.

The results of this research are striking. The critical current density (J c) for the engineered wires significantly increased: at 10 tesla (T), J c surged from 1.5×10^5 A/cm² to 4.5×10^5 A/cm². At an even more impressive 30 T, J c reached 2.1×10^5 A/cm², marking a fivefold increase over previous records and establishing a new global benchmark 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 innovative research paves the way for developing low-cost, high-performance iron-based superconducting wires, significantly expediting their practical applications in cutting-edge high-field technologies. As these wires become more viable for commercial use, their impact on various sectors including healthcare and energy could be transformative.

For further details on this research, 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 on November 5, 2025.