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Completed TRL 3 (started at 1, targeting 3)
We are working with the University of Houston Department of Physics and a private company, Metal Oxide Technologies, to build a prototype superconducting magnetic coil from High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) wire. his aids in evaluating the feasibilitiy of SMES for space missions. We are also evaluating concepts for an electronic switch to load/unload the coil, and identifying possible materials for connecting the coil to the power gnerating source. Finally, we are evaluating candidate locations in lunar polar regionst to locate a SMES system that minimzes distance between solar energy harvesting and storage for lunar missions.
Energy storage for space missions is limited by chemical batteries that require heaters to operate in cryogenic enviorments. Chemical batteries are inefficient and have limited lifetimes due to their inherent redox reactions and the buildup of secondary byproducts. This activity provides an alternate method for energy storage that is more efficient (and scalable for large systems) at cryogenic temperatures.Superconductivity use on Earth has focused on medical imaging technology (e.g. MRI using liquid helium at 4°K) and production of very high quality power grids for industrial applications, but the expense of producing and storing cryogenic fluids limits large-scale development. Superconductivity on the Moon is a free byproduct of the environment (cryogenic temperatures and vacuum), and conversion of electrical energy to magnetic energy using coils of superconductivity wire offers unique opportunities for lunar large scale development. SMES systems would enable missions longer that a lunar day where excess energy could be stored indefinitely. An exploration architecture including SMES and mobile instrument platforms could be designed based upon electrical “refueling stations” on the moon. This prototype has identified future work requirements to mature this technology, including (but not limited to): • Improved HTS wire fabrication with longer segments and less metal mass • Improved HTS wire joints with reduced resistance • Enhanced coil/switch design with a demonstration of useful energy storage off-load • Enlarged coil/switch design to demonstrate system scalability • Improved modeling of electrical/magnetic/thermal environments
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