Magnesium Diboride Superconducting Stator Coils for Electric Propulsion Systems, Phase I

Many are pursuing the development of electric propulsion systems for large aircraft due to the potential of being cleaner, quieter, lighter, and more versatile than current platforms and because the use of liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel in these systems decreases our dependence on petroleum. It is desirable to have very light components, such as the stator, for these electric propulsion systems. Superconducting stator coils can be lighter weight than cryogenically cooled copper stator coils. The recent development of magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconducting wires makes possible the potential to have much lighter weight superconducting stator coils than with any other metal or ceramic superconductor. The MgB2 superconductor, cooled in the available liquid hydrogen fuel, is the ideal candidate wire material for stator coils for large aircraft motors. The lighter weight coils, especially in the stator, will enable a lighter weight motor. During the Phase I we will demonstrate using this magnesium diboride superconductor wire in diamond wound stator coil form. This will show feasibility of fabricating full size diamond patterned stator coils in a Phase II effort.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications: Commercialization of magnesium diboride superconducting wires will allow less expensive and more open MRI systems for medical use, and lower cost and more efficient power utility applications such as transformers, motors, generators, fault current limiters, and SMES.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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