High-T_c superconducting magnets that function at liquid oxygen temperature

This article reports on a novel superconducting material suitable for a superconducting magnet that can function up to liquid oxygen temperature (90.2 K). This achievement provides a distinguished step toward industrial applications of liquid oxygen, which is as broad as those of liquid nitrogen. The strong flux pinning at 90.2 K was recently achieved in a (Nd _0.33Eu_0.33Gd_0.33)Ba₂Cu ₃O_y compound in that nanometer size Zr-based pinning centers are distributed. This composite exhibited at 90.2 K an outstanding critical current density > 40 kA/cm² that fulfills requirements of some industrial applications.