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Superconducting Wires

NASA is exploring the use of superconducting wires in future electrified aircraft propulsion systems to improve efficiency and minimize energy loss during operation.

A close-up shot of copper-colored wires bunched together while mounted to a metal testing rig.

Overview

A big challenge when designing propulsion system components for electrified aircraft is managing weight and energy loss during operation. When dealing with megawatt-levels of power, lightweight systems with minimal energy loss are crucial in ensuring high efficiency.  

NASA is collaborating with industry to advance research and development of superconducting wires for use in motors and generators on aircraft with turboelectric propulsion system configurations. The materials used in superconducting wires eliminate electrical resistance when cooled below a critical temperature, which helps support higher current loads with minimal energy loss.  

On the left, the inside of a test facility with various hardware and equipment around the room. On the right, a close-up view of a cylindrical component used during testing.
Magnetic field test capabilities for wire segments at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
NASA

Technology Development  

Through a series of NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts, engineers at Hyper Tech Research developed new superconducting wires using fine-filament magnesium diboride (MgB2). Wires designed with this material showed a reduction in alternating current (AC) losses while enabling higher frequencies and reduced weight at a lower cost.

Three different cross sections of a wire decreasing in size from left to right. The circular objects feature a honey-comb texture on the inside and are displayed against a black background. On top of each cross section from left to right is text that reads “0.51 mm,” “0.35 mm,” and “0.20 mm.” In the bottom right corner is text that reads “100 µm.”
A cross section of the multifilament magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconducting wires produced by Hyper Tech in collaboration with NASA.
NASA

The company also demonstrated a new wire manufacturing process that uses magnesium-infiltration instead of magnesium boron powder mixtures typically used in the traditional method. This switch helped improve the wire’s current density and overall efficiency.

Testing and Analysis

NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is home to a superconducting laboratory that provides unique resources to test electrified aircraft components at cryogenic temperatures as low as 12 Kelvin (K) without the need to handle hazardous fluids. The environment also allows for measuring AC and direct current (DC) losses in superconductors.

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Two men wearing hard hats help hoist a piece of hardware above a circular cryogenic testing rig.
Researchers conduct testing of a superconducting rotor inside a cryogenic vacuum chamber known as the Integrated Cryogenically-Cooled Experiment Box (ICE-Box). This unique testing rig enables quick, low-cost methods for conducting low-temperature tests on aircraft components. Unlike traditional cryogenic testing facilities, the ICE-Box is a simple, transportable system that operates without the use of hazardous cryogenic fluids and allows non-cryogenic experts to easily perform rapid component testing.
NASA

Explore More EAP

A rear-view rendering of a blended wing body aircraft with distributed fans across the top rear of the vehicle as it flies across a blue sky with white clouds in the background. The NASA insignia is displayed on the left wing, and the words “N3-X” are written on the right wing.

Aircraft Concepts

Learn more about NASA's conceptual aircraft design studies for future electrified aircraft.

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A white building surrounded by external equipment in front of a blue sky with clouds

EAP Labs and Testbeds

Learn about NASA's labs and testbeds enabling advanced electrified aircraft propulsion research.

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An artist rendering of a rectangular-shaped aircraft converter with various wires and circuiting systems displayed on the inside.

Technology

Discover the innovative systems and technologies that enable safe and efficient electrified propulsion.

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