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Co-Processed Ceramic Insulation for High Field Accelerator Magnets--Composite Technology Development, Inc., 1505 Coal Creek Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026-2782; 303-664-0394
Mr. John A. Rice, Principal Investigator
Dr. Naseem A. Munshi, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-99ER82766
Amount: $100,000
Some high performance superconducting magnets, such as wind-before-react systems, cannot be manufactured because of the temperature limits of current organic based insulation materials. This limitation forces the designer to accept either lower performance or higher costs. A ceramic-based insulation that is stable at the processing temperatures would eliminate this problem. This project will develop a ceramic composite insulator that offers the ease of application and processing of conventional organic insulation but is able to withstand the same heat treatment as the superconducting wire itself. This wrappable ceramic insulation will be compatible with high temperature reactions in the 750-900°C range and will be capable of supporting higher mechanical loads at cryogenic temperatures. Phase I will develop a co-processed ceramic insulation that can withstand the high temperature processing of the superconducting wire. Mechanical and chemical compatibility will be measured. Phase II will optimize the material and process to minimize costs. A magnet material property model will be generated to facilitate implementation in accelerator magnet designs.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The high temperature stability of the ceramic insulation would eliminate complex coil fabrication steps, lowering production costs. Applications such as high field magnets, fusion magnets, and medical MRI instruments would become more viable with improved magnet processing, higher strength, and improved reliability.