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Breakthrough progress! How can superconductors rewrite the transportation field with amazing speed and efficiency?
In current transportation technology, superconducting motors are becoming a revolutionary technology with great potential.These superconductor-based motors not only provide higher efficiency and speed, but also significantly reduce energy losses, opening up new possibilities for various transportation systems.
Superconductors utilize the zero resistance characteristics of superconductors, so they can generate a very strong magnetic field on the basis of high efficiency, which is not possible in traditional motors.The development of this technology has enabled superconducting motors to exhibit amazing performance in transporting heavy objects or performing other high resistance tasks.
Using superconducting motors, we will significantly reduce the volume of transport devices while greatly increasing their power density.
The history of superconducting motors
The origin of superconducting motors can be traced back to 1831, when Michael Faraday created the DC synoptic motor.With the advancement of technology, the concept of superconductors for the first time was realized in 2005, when General Atomics of the United States won a contract to manufacture large low-speed superconducting synoptic motors for ship propulsion purposes.However, even today, many superconducting motors still face cost and technical challenges.
Current technological trends
Current interest in AC synchronous ceramic superconducting motors is mainly concentrated in large motors, such as generators used in utilities and marine power plants.The result of the cooperation between American Superconductor and Northrop Grumman is a 36.5 MW ceramic superconducting marine propulsion motor.This type of motor is popular for its lightness, especially in wind power applications.
Wind turbines using superconducting generators, the reduction in weight and volume will reduce the cost of the entire system.
Advantages and challenges of superconducting motors
Advantages
Superconducting motors have the following advantages compared to traditional conductor motors:
- Significantly reduced resistance loss, especially in rotor electromagnets.
- Without cooling equipment considerations, it has a smaller volume and weight.
Challenge
However, the technological development of superconducting motors has not been smooth sailing.The challenges include:
- The high cost and complexity of cooling systems.
- When the superconductor loses its superconducting state, the motor suddenly fails.
- The problem of speed instability of the rotor.
Electronic control systems are essential to get superconducting motors to actually operate, but this may also introduce additional costs.
High temperature superconductor vs. low temperature superconductor
High temperature superconductor (HTS) can operate at liquid nitrogen temperature, which is more economical than the low temperature environment required for liquid helium.This type of superconductor is mainly composed of ceramics, and its fragility and production process also put their application in certain challenges.At the same time, for burst loads or supply changes, high-temperature superconductors are more likely to be driven out of the superconducting state.
To sum up, the development of superconducting motors undoubtedly represents a major breakthrough in the transportation system.However, while the technology is becoming increasingly mature and popular, we also need to think about: Can superconducting motors become the mainstream technology in the future transportation field?
