ADVANCED CONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES LLC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: The feasibility of fusion as a practical energy source needs to be improved significantly

Description

The feasibility of fusion as a practical energy source needs to be improved significantly by removing some of the restrictions that low-temperature superconductors put on the fusion magnet systems. One method to simplify the magnet system is by using high-temperature superconductors (HTS) that allow for a higher magnet performance and much larger temperature margins. The larger temperature margins allow for superconducting demountable fusion magnets, which would significantly reduce the magnet construction complexity and maintenance time and costs. There are currently no feasible methods to constructing demountable fusion magnets from HTS cables. This proposal seeks to develop methods to make demountable HTS cable joints that have the electrical and thermal performance, the mechanical strength, and reliability needed for demountable superconducting fusion magnets. These joints will be developed for HTS conductor on round core (CORC) fusion cables that were invented by the PI at Advanced Conductor Technologies. Commercial applications and other benefits: Reliable demountable joints for high-temperature superconducting cables will enable demountable fusion magnets that are less complex to construct and easier to repair and maintain than conventional fusion magnets. Demountable cable joints will directly benefit other applications, such as high-energy density, superconducting power transmission on board of Navy vessels, Air Force aircraft and data centers.