Superconductivity technologies

VNIINM is the Russian leader in developing technologies for manufacturing superconducting materials.

VNIINM developed a technology for manufacturing multi-fiber low-temperature superconductors (SP) and launched their industrial-scale production at CHMZ OJSC for the international thermonuclear reactor ITER. VNIINM superconductors are considered the best among materials produced by international manufacturers. Quality indicators of our superconductors are used as reference. VNIINM also has experience in creating high-temperature superconducting materials of the first and second generations.

VNIINM has experience and proven technologies for producing superconducting wires based on the magnesium diboride (MgB2) compound. This compound is considered the most promising for creating SC devices due to a number of its properties, including cheapness and relative simplicity of manufacturing technology, as well as high critical parameters. Currently, foreign companies are rapidly developing this direction of the superconducting industry. It is expected that MgB2-based SC materials can eventually replace expensive low-temperature superconductors and thus make the use of SC devices widespread. Currently, the market is shared by companies from Italy and the United States. Domestically produced SC materials based on MgB2 are not produced on an industrial scale.

The use of SC wires reduces the weight and size characteristics of marine engines and generators by 2-4 times as compared to the conventional designs. The development of pulsed electromagnetic, laser, and rail weapons would be impossible without an efficient superconducting energy storage (SMES). SC cables are used in shipboard electromagnetic degaussing systems. Such elements of weapons and special equipment are already employed in the latest products of produced by the United States and NATO countries.

Future applications of SC current limiters, SC high-current leads of powerful industrial and power equipment, SC magnetic separators, electric motors, generators and other devices that require a high magnetic field, high current and minimal energy loss.

The task of developing domestic tomography equipment, 100% of which is today imported, is a high priority.

VNIINM brought together key Russian scientific and engineering organizations to form a partnership in order to develop SC devices and equipment. The partnership has all the necessary competencies to develop the technology and launch industrial production of new materials and devices for the benefit of various industries.