Advances in Superconductivity VI

Book excerpt: More than seven years have passed since the dramatic breakthrough in the critical temperature for superconductors. During this period, a host of new materials have been discovered, and efforts have been stepped up in a variety of domains including device and systems applications, commercialization, and basic research on the properties of superconductive materials. Recent progress in areas such as bulk single crystal production, long-scale wire and tape produc tion, flywheel and bearing applications, and electronic device applications for thin films indicate that science and technology have been working hand in hand in this field, as has been the case in the research and development of semi conductors. This interdisciplinary "resonance" will be certain to lead to further outstanding advances in the years to come. It goes without saying that worldwide information exchange is the key to accelerating progress in superconductivity science and technology. As in previous years, the ISS '93 served as a venue where visions of future develop ments were shared in addition to presentations and extensive discussions on the most up-to-date research results. I hope that the Proceedings contained in this volume will be consulted not only as a summary of the current "state of the art" in high-Tc superconductivity but also as a stimulating source of ideas regarding future applications of superconductivity research.