Platinum in High Temperature Superconductor Technology

High temperature superconducting oxides are being subjected to intensive investigation, designed to establish the basic mechanisms governing their superconductivity and to enable their electrical and mechanical properties to be optimised and commercial applications developed. Chemical composition, crystallography, microstructure and the concentration of point defects are all factors that have a crucial bearing on superconductivity. Progress in fabrication and thermal processing would elevate these high temperature superconducting oxides from laboratory curiosities to a position where widespread commercial use could be envisaged. Much has already been published on the use of the platinum group metals with the new superconductors. This article has been compiled from a search of the literature and indicates some of the applications that are, or could be, of commercial significance.