Repository logo
 

Bulk superconductors: A roadmap to applications

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Abstract

Progress in bulk materials has been somewhat overshadowed by the considerable effort required to produce practical long-length conductors. There has, however, been steady progress in both the materials science of bulk superconducting materials and the technologies required to use them effectively in engineering applications. In particular magnetised bulk superconductors are capable of acting as quasi-permanent magnets with the potential of providing magnetic fields of several tesla or greater from a small volume of material, they can act as magnetic shields and they can provide self-stabilised levitation. This Roadmap, based on a workshop which involved the participation of a wide range of academic and industrial participants [see doi:10.17863/CAM.586 for details of the workshop methodology], aims to explore some of the key potential domains of applications of bulk superconductors. Detailed technological roadmaps are presented for four key applications that were identified as providing both good market opportunity and feasibility and selected for further exploration during the workshop. These are: Portable Systems for Bulk Superconductivity, Portable, High-Field Magnet Systems for Medical Devices, Ultra-Light Superconducting Rotating Machines for Next-Generation Transport & Power Applications and Magnetic Shielding Applications for Electric Machines, Equipment and Other High-Field Devices

Description

Keywords

superconductors, bulk, trapped field, REBCO, MgB2

Journal Title

Superconductor Science and Technology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0953-2048
1361-6668

Volume Title

31

Publisher

IOP Publishing
Sponsorship
EPSRC (EP/K503757/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/P00962X/1)
The authors wish to express their sincere thanks to Dr Nicky Athanassopoulou, Ms Andi Jones and Dr Rob Phaal of Institute for Manufacturing Education and Consultancy Service Ltd for their excellent work in organising and facilitating the Road-Mapping exercise upon which this current work is based. The authors would also like to express their appreciation of the contribution made by the other participants at the workshop: Hari Babu Nadendla (Brunel University), Pavol Diko (Slovak Academy of Sciences), Tomas Hlasek (CAN Superconductors), John Hull (The Boeing Company), Lars Kuhn (evico), Mathias Noe (KIT), Jan Plechacek (CAN Superconductors), Yunhua Shi (University of Cambridge) and Frank Werfel (ATZ). The authors acknowledge financial support for the Road-Mapping exercise on which this work is based from the University of Cambridge EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account (EP/K503757/1).