The current-carrying capability of bulk polycrystalline superconductors is limited because of their ``weak link'' behavior. This behavior results from misorientation of individual grain boundaries, unfavorable grain boundary chemistry, porosity, or the presence of microcracks. We have developed a novel technique to produce grain-aligned YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x that couples magnetic alignment with partial melt processing. Magnetically aligned films are densified near the peritectic temperature to promote partial melting. The oriented, unmelted Y123 grains then act as seeds for textured growth during recrystallization. We are currently investigating the role of second phase additions on the peritectic decomposition reaction, microstructural development, and properties of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x thick films.

A new high-pressure facility provides a unique capability for high-T_c research. Work is directed at synthesis and growth of layered structure compounds and on new exploratory studies of superconducting structures. Attention is paid to the hole-doped materials of possible d-wave nature, which are believed to give the highest T_c's. In addition to high pressure synthesis, electrochemical crystal gowth also gives rise to the high oxidation capability, which is important for the formation of hole-doped high-T_c superconductors. Experiments are designed to improve the quality of crystals and to explore new layered-structure compounds for high-T_c superconductivity.