IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 2022
The No-insulation-like (NI) coil’s turn-to-turn current paths prevent local heating by forcing th... more The No-insulation-like (NI) coil’s turn-to-turn current paths prevent local heating by forcing the current to bypass into nearby turns when a hot spot appears in a coil. However, the changing direction of the current by bypassing will change the magnetic flux, which generates unwanted induced currents in the adjacent coils in a multiply-stacked HTS magnet. This induced current can temporarily exceed the designed maximum currents in the NI coils, damaging the magnet. A partial-insulation (PI) coil, in which a single or multiple insulated, with a polyimide-like material or a thin ceramic film, is inserted between windings to hinder the current paths, can reduce the peak induced currents in the NI HTS coil’s current paths. In this paper, we present the results of a simulation study on the peak-induced current upon a quench of the PI HTS magnet with a double pancake. The study shows that the peak-induced current varies with the number of insulated turns. We also discuss the induced current turn-by-turn simulation. According to the simulation result, the PI effectively reduces overall induced current, especially insulation applied every two turns.
Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics, 2009
The unique features of HTS offer Opportunities and challenges to a number of applications. In thi... more The unique features of HTS offer Opportunities and challenges to a number of applications. In this paper we focus on NMR and MRI magnets, illustrating them with the NMR/MRI magnets that we are currently and will shortly be engaged: a 1.3GHz NMR magnet, an "annulus" magnet, and an whole-body MRI magnet. The opportunities with HTS include: 1) high fields (e.g., 1.3GHz magnet); 2) compactness (annulus magnet); and 3) enhanced stability despite liquid-helium-free operation ( whole-body MRI magnet). The challenges include: 1) a large screening current Beld detrimental to spatial field homogeneity (e.g., 1.3 GHz magnet); 2) uniformity of critical current density (annulus magnet); and 3) superconducting joints ( magnet).
We present results—cool-down, energization, and persistent-mode operation—of a solid-nitrogen (SN... more We present results—cool-down, energization, and persistent-mode operation—of a solid-nitrogen (SN2)-cooled, magnesium diboride (MgB2) small-scale test coil. The test coil, immersed in a volume of solid nitrogen at 6 K, successfully operated in persistent-mode at 108 A for a period of 5 d. Although designated a ‘persistent-mode’ coil, its center field was measured to decay at a rate of <0.6 ppm h−1, which is still considered low enough to meet the temporal stability requirement of <0.1 ppm h−1, for most magnetic resonance imaging magnets. This decay rate translates to a calculated circuit resistance of <1.79 × 10–12 Ω, which is mainly from one MgB2-MgB2 joint in the circuit. However, when the coil temperature increased from 6 to 16 K, the field had dropped by 0.33%: we believe this was caused by the change of magnetization in the MgB2 superconductor, which in turn decreased a screening-current field (SCF) at the magnet center. We performed a finite element analysis with a si...
The nonuniform superconducting current distribution in REBCO coated conductor, including a varyin... more The nonuniform superconducting current distribution in REBCO coated conductor, including a varying-field-induced screening current, is responsible for a significant magnetization effect that not only degrades the field quality of REBCO magnets, but also introduces risks of overstressing conductor. This paper presents our experimental and simulation studies on the screening current effect on an 800-MHz (18.8-T) REBCO insert (H800) that together with a 500-MHz LTS NMR magnet (L500) constitutes the MIT 1.3-GHz LTS/HTS NMR magnet (1.3G). To develop our simulation model, which subsequently validated by a good agreement between simulation and experiment, we chose H800, Coil 1 of the 3-coil assembly operated alone and the entire H800, for the sources of experimental data, specifically their remnant fields after current discharge and diminished axial fields during operation. Armed with this valid model, we examined in detail the negative effects of screening current on H800, an important 1.3G component. Our simulation indicates that the screening current, nonuniformly distributed in the REBCO conductor, not only deteriorates H800 field, both strength and homogeneity, thus that of 1.3G, but also may overstress the REBCO conductor.
IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity : a publication of the IEEE Superconductivity Committee, 2018
We present construction and test results of Coils 2 and 3 of a 3-coil 800-MHz REBCO insert (H800)... more We present construction and test results of Coils 2 and 3 of a 3-coil 800-MHz REBCO insert (H800) for the MIT 1.3 GHz LTS/HTS NMR magnet currently under construction. Each of three H800 coils (Coils 1-3) is a stack of no-insulation REBCO double pancakes (DPs). The innermost 8.67-T Coil 1 (26 DPs) was completed in 2016; the middle 5.64-T Coil 2 (32 DPs) has been wound, assembled, and tested; and for the outermost 4.44-T Coil 3, its 38 DPs have been wound and preliminary tests were performed to characterize each DP at 77 K. Included for Coil 2 are: 1) 77-K data of critical current, index, and turn-to-turn characteristic resistivity of each DP; 2) stacking order of the 32 DPs optimized to maximize the Coil 2 current margin and minimize its Joule dissipation in the pancake-to-pancake joints; 3) procedure to experimentally determine and apply a room-temperature preload to the DP stack; 4) 77-K and 4.2-K test results after each of 64 pancakes was over-banded with 75-μm-thick stainless ste...
We present design and test results of a superconducting persistent current switch (PCS) for panca... more We present design and test results of a superconducting persistent current switch (PCS) for pancake coils of rare-earth-barium-copper-oxide, REBCO, high-temperature superconductor (HTS). Here, a REBCO double-pancake (DP) coil, 152-mm ID, 168-mm OD, 12-mm high, was wound with a no-insulation technique. We converted a ∼10-cm long section in the outermost layer of each pancake to a PCS. The DP coil was operated in liquid nitrogen (77-65 K) and in solid nitrogen (60-57 K). Over the operating temperature ranges of this experiment, the normal-state PCS enabled the DP coil to be energized; thereupon, the PCS resumed the superconducting state and the DP coil field decayed with a time constant of 100 h, which would have been nearly infinite, i.e., persistent-mode operation, were the joint across the coil terminals superconducting.
IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, 2022
The No-insulation-like (NI) coil’s turn-to-turn current paths prevent local heating by forcing th... more The No-insulation-like (NI) coil’s turn-to-turn current paths prevent local heating by forcing the current to bypass into nearby turns when a hot spot appears in a coil. However, the changing direction of the current by bypassing will change the magnetic flux, which generates unwanted induced currents in the adjacent coils in a multiply-stacked HTS magnet. This induced current can temporarily exceed the designed maximum currents in the NI coils, damaging the magnet. A partial-insulation (PI) coil, in which a single or multiple insulated, with a polyimide-like material or a thin ceramic film, is inserted between windings to hinder the current paths, can reduce the peak induced currents in the NI HTS coil’s current paths. In this paper, we present the results of a simulation study on the peak-induced current upon a quench of the PI HTS magnet with a double pancake. The study shows that the peak-induced current varies with the number of insulated turns. We also discuss the induced current turn-by-turn simulation. According to the simulation result, the PI effectively reduces overall induced current, especially insulation applied every two turns.
Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics, 2009
The unique features of HTS offer Opportunities and challenges to a number of applications. In thi... more The unique features of HTS offer Opportunities and challenges to a number of applications. In this paper we focus on NMR and MRI magnets, illustrating them with the NMR/MRI magnets that we are currently and will shortly be engaged: a 1.3GHz NMR magnet, an "annulus" magnet, and an whole-body MRI magnet. The opportunities with HTS include: 1) high fields (e.g., 1.3GHz magnet); 2) compactness (annulus magnet); and 3) enhanced stability despite liquid-helium-free operation ( whole-body MRI magnet). The challenges include: 1) a large screening current Beld detrimental to spatial field homogeneity (e.g., 1.3 GHz magnet); 2) uniformity of critical current density (annulus magnet); and 3) superconducting joints ( magnet).
We present results—cool-down, energization, and persistent-mode operation—of a solid-nitrogen (SN... more We present results—cool-down, energization, and persistent-mode operation—of a solid-nitrogen (SN2)-cooled, magnesium diboride (MgB2) small-scale test coil. The test coil, immersed in a volume of solid nitrogen at 6 K, successfully operated in persistent-mode at 108 A for a period of 5 d. Although designated a ‘persistent-mode’ coil, its center field was measured to decay at a rate of <0.6 ppm h−1, which is still considered low enough to meet the temporal stability requirement of <0.1 ppm h−1, for most magnetic resonance imaging magnets. This decay rate translates to a calculated circuit resistance of <1.79 × 10–12 Ω, which is mainly from one MgB2-MgB2 joint in the circuit. However, when the coil temperature increased from 6 to 16 K, the field had dropped by 0.33%: we believe this was caused by the change of magnetization in the MgB2 superconductor, which in turn decreased a screening-current field (SCF) at the magnet center. We performed a finite element analysis with a si...
The nonuniform superconducting current distribution in REBCO coated conductor, including a varyin... more The nonuniform superconducting current distribution in REBCO coated conductor, including a varying-field-induced screening current, is responsible for a significant magnetization effect that not only degrades the field quality of REBCO magnets, but also introduces risks of overstressing conductor. This paper presents our experimental and simulation studies on the screening current effect on an 800-MHz (18.8-T) REBCO insert (H800) that together with a 500-MHz LTS NMR magnet (L500) constitutes the MIT 1.3-GHz LTS/HTS NMR magnet (1.3G). To develop our simulation model, which subsequently validated by a good agreement between simulation and experiment, we chose H800, Coil 1 of the 3-coil assembly operated alone and the entire H800, for the sources of experimental data, specifically their remnant fields after current discharge and diminished axial fields during operation. Armed with this valid model, we examined in detail the negative effects of screening current on H800, an important 1.3G component. Our simulation indicates that the screening current, nonuniformly distributed in the REBCO conductor, not only deteriorates H800 field, both strength and homogeneity, thus that of 1.3G, but also may overstress the REBCO conductor.
IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity : a publication of the IEEE Superconductivity Committee, 2018
We present construction and test results of Coils 2 and 3 of a 3-coil 800-MHz REBCO insert (H800)... more We present construction and test results of Coils 2 and 3 of a 3-coil 800-MHz REBCO insert (H800) for the MIT 1.3 GHz LTS/HTS NMR magnet currently under construction. Each of three H800 coils (Coils 1-3) is a stack of no-insulation REBCO double pancakes (DPs). The innermost 8.67-T Coil 1 (26 DPs) was completed in 2016; the middle 5.64-T Coil 2 (32 DPs) has been wound, assembled, and tested; and for the outermost 4.44-T Coil 3, its 38 DPs have been wound and preliminary tests were performed to characterize each DP at 77 K. Included for Coil 2 are: 1) 77-K data of critical current, index, and turn-to-turn characteristic resistivity of each DP; 2) stacking order of the 32 DPs optimized to maximize the Coil 2 current margin and minimize its Joule dissipation in the pancake-to-pancake joints; 3) procedure to experimentally determine and apply a room-temperature preload to the DP stack; 4) 77-K and 4.2-K test results after each of 64 pancakes was over-banded with 75-μm-thick stainless ste...
We present design and test results of a superconducting persistent current switch (PCS) for panca... more We present design and test results of a superconducting persistent current switch (PCS) for pancake coils of rare-earth-barium-copper-oxide, REBCO, high-temperature superconductor (HTS). Here, a REBCO double-pancake (DP) coil, 152-mm ID, 168-mm OD, 12-mm high, was wound with a no-insulation technique. We converted a ∼10-cm long section in the outermost layer of each pancake to a PCS. The DP coil was operated in liquid nitrogen (77-65 K) and in solid nitrogen (60-57 K). Over the operating temperature ranges of this experiment, the normal-state PCS enabled the DP coil to be energized; thereupon, the PCS resumed the superconducting state and the DP coil field decayed with a time constant of 100 h, which would have been nearly infinite, i.e., persistent-mode operation, were the joint across the coil terminals superconducting.
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Papers by Juan Bascunan