Progress in applications of bulk high temperature superconductors

Large grain superconducting RE-Ba-Cu-O (RE: rare earth elements) materials with large critical current density (J(c),) values have significant potential for a variety of engineering applications such as current leads, magnetic bearings, flywheel energy storage systems, load transport systems and hysteresis motors. Such a high J(c) ,bulk superconductor can also function as a quasi-permanent magnet with generating fields exceeding several teslas. Since the achievable field is much greater than a conventional permanent magnet, superconducting quasi-permanent magnets will be used in various novel devices. In this article the present status of bulk type electromagnetic applications is summarized.