MIT’s Fusion Breakthrough: Unlocking Star Power With Superconducting Magnets
scitechdaily.com
Detailed study of high-temperature superconducting magnets built by MIT and Commonwealth Fusion Systems confirms they meet requirements for an economic, compact fusion power plant. In the predawn hours of September 5, 2021, engineers achieved a major milestone in the labs of MIT’s Plasma Science

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/7419366

TLDR: New REBCO superconductor can operate with significantly less insulation, allowing them to be built much smaller. Thereby making critical space for other components.

From the article:

“The standard way to build these magnets is you would wind the conductor and you have insulation between the windings, and you need insulation to deal with the high voltages that are generated during off-normal events such as a shutdown.” Eliminating the layers of insulation, he says, “has the advantage of being a low-voltage system. It greatly simplifies the fabrication processes and schedule.” It also leaves more room for other elements, such as more cooling or more structure for strength.

  • ShittyBeatlesFCPres@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    9 months ago

    20 kelvins. It’s “high temperature” but only compared to the usual 4 kelvins needed in previous designs. (This isn’t another sketchy “room temperature” superconductor claim where the media is going to go ape shit and then we’re all going to be disappointed in a few weeks.)