The one-kilometer-scale superconducting tape produced by the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

A team led by Rong Lijian, a researcher from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has produced high-purity C276 metal strips for the first time in China.

C276 is a core material for second-generation high-temperature superconducting tapes. It is used in controllable nuclear fusion devices, also known as artificial suns.

The new metal strips demonstrate excellent mechanical strength and deformation capability, providing a solid foundation for producing superconducting tapes.

A graph showing the performance of the superconducting tape under low-temperature magnetic fields. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Researchers achieved industrial-scale production of C276 strips that are extremely thin, long, and smooth, with properties comparable to or even better than imported materials.

The domestically produced C276 metal strips have begun the verification process and have been used to make long REBCO high-temperature superconducting tapes, ribbon-like wires that can carry massive amounts of electricity with perfect efficiency at extremely cold temperatures.

The achievement marks an important breakthrough in core technologies for future clean energy.