Review on the state-of-the-art and challenges in the MgB2 component manufacturing for superconducting applications

Since the discovery of MgB2 as a superconductor, several research groups worldwide have studied the superconducting mechanisms due to the dual gap nature of MgB2, as well as attempted to produce such a compound in wires, tapes, bulks, and thin films for a plethora of applications. While MgB2 carries the promise of replacing Niobium-based superconductors in low-field applications, less-than-desirable performance and in-operation stability has slowed down such a progress. While the properties and nature of the superconductivity of MgB2 are fairly known, the reproduction of its properties at manufacturing scales remains an unsolved problem. Therefore, this manuscript presents a systematic review on fundamental properties, phase formation, growth kinetics, and superconducting properties of MgB2-based components such as multi- and mono-core wires, bulks, and thin films. Advances, challenges, and shortcomings are utilized in consolidating research questions and directions pertaining to the manufacturing of MgB2 superconducting devices. Lastly, we evaluate the technological readiness of MgB2-based devices for applications in fusion energy systems.