In a test mix of BSCCO and non-superconducting antimony (shown above), BSCCO grains can be seen clinging to the cell electrodes, while Sb grains dart back and forth in the liquid nitrogen.

      Dr. Tao reports the Meissner effect - strong diamagnetism that is characteristic of all superconductors - was found to be ineffective as a filtering tool. "The Meissner effect is usually too weak to push these particles out from a mixture of normal particles," Tao said. But the electrostatic method "was very effective. A test showed that the particles collected from the electrodes were all superconducting."

      In the new electrostatic separation technique, a vertical capacitor cell with dimensions 18mm X 15mm X 15mm was fashioned from a U-shaped teflon spacer. 2 brass plates were attached to the open sides of the spacer to create a cavity and provide electrodes for the capacitor. The cavity was filled with liquid nitrogen and particles of roughly 25-38um size were placed in the pool. High voltage (1100 dcv/mm) was applied to the two metal electrodes for at least two minutes. The electric field was then reduced (to 333 dcv/mm) for one minute. After collecting the respective particles, they were found to be essentially pure BSCCO and pure Sb.

      

      The above photos show the BSCCO-Sb mix on the left and the extracted pure BSCCO on the right.

      Tao reports his technique will work to separate superconductors from metallic as well as non-metallic materials. Thus, researchers will now have a new tool to help advance superconductor research by isolating unexpected minority phase superconductors from a soup of various materials. A Temple University patent is pending.