Practical superconductor development for electrical power applications - quarterly report for the period ending March 31, 1998 1997.

This is a multiyear experimental research program focused on improving relevant material properties of high-T{sub c} superconductors and on development of fabrication methods that can be transferred to industry for production of commercial conductors. The development of teaming relationships through agreements with industrial partners is a key element of this program. Recent work on microstructural development and current distribution in Bi-2223 powder-in-tube (PIT) tapes, grain-boundary studies, and a novel application for high-temperature (high-T{sub c}) superconductors are discussed