Lightweight Design of an HTS Coil for the VASIMR Experiment, Phase II

In this Phase II SBIR contract Tai-Yang Research Company of Tennessee proposes to design, fabricate, and test an ultra-lightweight High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnet utilizing Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond technology. The proposed CVD/HTS magnet will combine ultra-lightweight and ultra-high reliability and thermal stability. When built, the CVD/HTS magnet will be the most technologically advanced conduction-cooled HTS magnet ever constructed.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications: Commercial sales of superconducting magnets represent over a $ 3 Billion per year industry. The two largest commercial existing markets are MRI and NMR, both of which are used by the medical and bio-technology industries. Most other potential commercial applications stem from the electric utility industry and inlcude: transformers, ac/dc motors, ac/dc tranmission cables, generators, flywheels, fault-current-limiters, and magnetic separators. To date, successful HTS based prototypes have been fabricated for most electric utility functions. If technically and economically viable, HTS enabled products are forcasted to be over a $ 10 Billlion dollar industry by 2010.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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