Biomedical
Superconducting magnets have been extensively used in biomedical fields. They include MRI in diagnostics and NMR spectroscopy for the research of molecular structures. As higher magnetic field levels with small sizes are desirable characteristics of these kinds of devices, to achieve stronger and compacter superconducting magnets is one of our group’s major interests.
Large Scale Science
A new era of physics has come since superconducting technology enabled constructing tremendous size of magnets. Fusion magnets for next generation energy by accelerating particles for experimental purposes to reveal fundamental structure of the particles are the main examples. Our group expects that the use of High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) will revolutionize physics development via superconducting devices with compactness and better performance.
Power Applications
Recently, power utilities have also begun to use superconductor-based transformers and fault limiters. This new generation of HTS superconducting fault limiters is being called upon due to their ability to respond in just thousandths of a second to limit tens of thousands of amperes of current.
Rotating Machine
The superconducting rotating machine is a lightweight and highly efficient rotating machine which uses the high energy density and the high efficiency (no dc loss) of the superconducting wire. In case of conventional machines, magnetic field intensity in the air-gap usually limited by the saturation of iron core. However, the superconductors’ high current capacity make it possible to create much higher air-gap field intensity using a small volume of superconducting field winding, and with little loss. Current research and development is being conducted on large-scale applications such as wind turbines, ship propulsion motors, aerospace motors, and industrial motors.
Transportation
Superconductivity can leverage the advantages of electrified transportation of various types, ranging from high-speed trains to advanced ship propulsion systems and lighter weight aircraft engines. Magnetic-levitation is an application where superconductors perform extremely well. Transport vehicles such as trains can be made to float on strong superconducting magnets, virtually eliminating friction between the train and its tracks.
Quantum Computing
A quantum computer leverages quantum mechanical phenomena to manipulate information. To realize a quantum computer, superconductivity is the most important issue to create and maintain a quantum state. Quantum computers are typically designed in the radio-frequency spectrum, cooled down in dilution refrigerators below 100mK with superconductors. To maintain qubits as long as possible, superconducting microwave resonators with high Q-factors are now one of the most important research goals.
