High-Temperature Superconductors: Properties, Applications, and Future Prospects in Energy and Transportation Systems

High-temperature superconductors (HTS), particularly Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO), represent a transformative leap in condensed matter physics, enabling zero-resistance conduction at liquid nitrogen temperatures (77 K). This study combines experimental validation and theoretical modeling to explore YBCO’s critical properties—Meissner effect, flux pinning, and critical current density (Jc)—and their applications in energy-efficient power transmission and maglev transportation. Using cryogen-free measurement techniques, we demonstrate YBCO’s Tc = 92.1 ± 0.3 K and quantify its levitation force (0.48 N/cm² at 5 mm gap), outperforming conventional Nb₃Sn wires in field expulsion tests. A key novelty is our flux-pinning optimization protocol, which enhances Jc by 15% via nanoparticle doping (ZrO₂), addressing a major scalability bottleneck. Despite these advances, challenges persist in cryogenic integration and long-term material stability, as revealed by 500-hour aging tests. We propose a hybrid cooling system (thermoelectric + LN₂) to reduce operational costs by ~30%. These findings position YBCO as a viable candidate for next-generation superconducting grids and high-speed transport, contingent on further research into room-temperature variants and cost-effective manufacturing.