Researchers at the National Institute of standards and Technology (NIST) invented a method for making high temperature superconducting (HTS) cables. Under the same or even higher current, this cable is thinner and more flexible than the current cable for high temperature superconducting power grid. This cable can be used for power grids, scientific equipment and medical equipment, and may also be used for military high temperature superconducting power transmission.

Danko van der Laan, a scientist at University of Colorado in NIST, thinks that the main innovation of small cable is the new high temperature superconducting conductor's compression deformation performance, so that it can use abnormal long and thin copper.

Colleagues from Danko van der Laan and NIST made cables several times and tested their performance. The high temperature superconducting materials they use are less sensitive to the coils than some other materials. Although the archetype of the cable is handmade, some manufacturers believe that mass production is feasible.

NIST researchers are currently in development for HTS cable military use, small volume and light weight, flexible use to turn inward pull catheter transmission line. In addition to power transmission, flexible wiring design can be used for superconducting transformers, generators, and magnetic energy storage devices requiring high current winding. Small cables can also be used for the fusion of high field magnets, as well as for the next generation of magnetic resonance imaging and cancer proton therapy systems. Part of the work was supported by the US Department of energy.