To ensure the lasting beauty and integrity of your superconductor ring, it is important to follow proper care and cleaning practices, especially for the copper components. Copper can naturally oxidize and change colour over time. To minimize this, regularly clean your ring with a soft cloth and a solution of mild soap and water, drying it thoroughly afterwards. For a more natural and effective cleaning method, use a combination of salt and lemon. Sprinkle salt over half a lemon and gently rub it on the copper surface to remove tarnish and restore its shine. Rinse the ring well to remove any residue and dry it with a soft cloth. Store your ring in a dry, cool place to protect it from excessive moisture and sunlight, which can accelerate oxidation. By following these simple care instructions, you can maintain the unique beauty and character of your superconductor ring, ensuring it remains a cherished piece for years to come.
Superconductor rings, particularly popular as men's wedding bands, are fashioned from a single slice of Superconductor Cable. This cable consists of numerous Titanium-Niobium Alloy rods with high conductivity, encased within copper. The rings are created by slicing a cross-section of the cable at an angle.
Superconductor rings are quite pricey due to their scarce availability, aligning their cost closely with that of gold rings. Crafted from entire rods of superconductor material, these rings are composed of a tough Copper and Titanium-Niobium alloy. The intricate and time-intensive process of creating these rings further contributes to their high cost.
The image shows a 10mm slice of a superconductor rod. We have already bored the centre out ready for the lathe. This superconductor blank will have many hours of work being lathed and hand finished prior to etching and polishing to achieve the finished superconductor ring pictured in front.
To ensure your superconductor ring remains in pristine condition, regular cleaning and proper maintenance are essential. One effective cleaning method involves using lemon and salt. Begin by slicing a lemon in half and sprinkling salt onto one of the cut sides. Gently rub this salted lemon half over the surface of your ring, using the natural abrasiveness of the salt and the acidity of the lemon to remove tarnish and restore shine. After thoroughly cleaning the ring with this mixture, rinse it under lukewarm water to remove any lemon and salt residues. Dry the ring thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth. This method is particularly suitable for the copper elements in superconductor rings, as the lemon-salt combination is effective in reviving the metal's natural lustre. Remember to clean your ring regularly and store it in a safe, dry place to prevent damage and maintain its aesthetic appeal.
The development of room-temperature superconducting materials could revolutionize various fields with practical applications. These include highly efficient electricity grids, extremely fast and energy-saving computer chips, and powerful magnets capable of levitating trains and managing fusion reactors.
Superconductors have opened numerous technological applications, particularly in the creation of strong magnets through wound coils. In the 1970s, these magnets played a crucial role in the development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines by generating the necessary high magnetic fields.
Superconductor rings are crafted from wires of a Titanium/Niobium alloy, embedded in a matrix of pure copper. These materials are termed 'Superconductors' due to their ability to conduct electricity without any measurable resistance when cooled down using liquid nitrogen or helium. When super cooled, they are also able to repel magnetic fields, allowing them to levitate, and follow a magnetic track with little resistance.
We try to cut our rings to show as much as pattern as possible. On the side of the ring you can see the rod ends of the titanium & niobium alloyed rods.
With this particular superconductor ring blank you will see there is a large copper area, when making this one in to a ring we would make a smaller ring so that we could lathe this section away to stop it looking bland. We will always try to get as best of an outcome as possible when making a superconductor ring.