The unique properties of high-temperature superconductors (HTSCs) and progress in the manufacture of HTSC-based wires made it possible to develop a new generation of tokamaks. In Russia, a tokamak project with reactor technologies (TRT), in which the magnetic field induction reaches 8 T on the plasma axis and 15 T and higher on the windings of the electromagnetic system, is being developed. The creation of HTSC current-carrying elements (CCEs) that meet the stringent requirements for the TRT magnetic system is one of the key issues of the entire project. A number of short experimental CCE samples that are potentially applicable in TRT magnetic systems was developed. A series of physical and mechanical tests were carried out to check the mechanical properties and develop a universal certification methodology for CCEs accepted for operation.

The distribution of the trapped magnetic field of untinned and tinned high-temperature superconductors (HTS) tapes after mechanical load on the stack of tapes was studied by the scanning Hall magnetometry method. Based on the obtained data, the values of the average critical current for all the studied samples were calculated. The degradation of the current carry capacity starts with lower mechanical loading on the stack in case of tinned tapes than of untinned ones. For tinned tapes the average value of the critical current drops by more than two times relative to initial state when a mechanical load of 400 MPa was applied; for untinned tapes – a decrease in the critical current is of less than 25%. The obtained data will be useful for further designs of current-carrying part based on stacks of HTS tapes for various applications.

The paper describes a high-temperature superconducting magnetic system (HTS SMS) to equip an experimental stand intended for neuron activity researches under constant and low-frequency magnetic fields up to 1 T. The design of the magnetic system together with its electromagnetic and cryogenic parameters is briefly discussed. The test results of the preliminary experiments conducted in liquid nitrogen at 77 K for two interchangeable magnets are given. The first magnet was manufactured in the form of a double pancake coil wound with 4 mm high HTS tape. The second magnet was made of pure copper wire with no frame and was impregnated with a thermally conducting epoxy resin. The advantages of the HTS pancake coil were demonstrated in comparison with the cryo-resistive solenoid. Low energy consumption of the HTS magnetic system will allow conducting continuous non-invasive monitoring of biological objects in a magnetic field.

The paper describes a high-temperature superconducting magnetic system (HTS SMS) to equip an experimental stand intended for neuron activity researches under constant and low-frequency magnetic fields up to 1 T. The design of the magnetic system together with its electromagnetic and cryogenic parameters is briefly discussed. The test results of the preliminary experiments conducted in liquid nitrogen at 77 K for two interchangeable magnets are given. The first magnet was manufactured in the form of a double pancake coil wound with 4 mm high HTS tape. The second magnet was made of pure copper wire with no frame and was impregnated with a thermally conducting epoxy resin. The advantages of the HTS pancake coil were demonstrated in comparison with the cryo-resistive solenoid. Low energy consumption of the HTS magnetic system will allow conducting continuous non-invasive monitoring of biological objects in a magnetic field.

The article describes the development, fabrication, and test results of a double pancake сoil made using second-generation high-temperature superconductors (HTSC-2G). The HTSC-2G coil is the key element of the cryomagnetic system intended for use as part of an experimental research setup for remotely controlling the expression of neurons by means of constant and low-frequency (up to 100 Hz) magnetic field. This project is a continuation of works [1] carried out on the integrated topic “Electronic Components and Neuromorphic Ccontrol Systems”, which includes, as a constituent part, the development and fabrication of an HTSC-2G cryomagnetic system for studying neuron activity under the effect of external magnetic field. A distinctive feature of the project is the use of a cryomagnetic system with a low energy consumption achieved owing to the use of modern HTSC materials. This will open the possibility to continuously observe the object under study from the start of its exposure to magnetic field to the occurrence of reaction signs. The technology for winding a double pancake HTSC-2G coil is developed and described. For making the coil, an HTSC-2G wire in polyamide varnish insulation was used. The technology of making inner junctions in double pancake HTSC-2G coils with a transition resistance of less than 120 nΩ at 77 K has been developed and successfully tried out. The results from preliminary tests of the HTSC-2G coil in liquid nitrogen are presented.

Разработаны и изготовлены источники магнитного поля для экспериментов по активации каналов нейронов. Разработаны криогенные магнитные системы, входящие в состав экспериментального исследовательского стенда для дистанционного регулирования экспрессии нейронов постоянным и низкочастотным (до 100 Гц) магнитными полями. При температуре жидкого азота (77 К) системы способны выдавать поле с величиной индукции ~0.5 Тл; при работе с переохлажденным жидким азотом (70–65 К) – выше 1 Тл. Подчеркнута актуальность применения в криомагнитной системе новейших и наиболее перспективных материалов на сегодняшний день – высокотемпературных сверхпроводников второго поколения.

High-gradient magnetic separator made a good showing at enrichment of low-magnetic ores. However, existing industrial facilities have large dimensions, low specific productivity and high energy costs. Laboratory prototype of high-gradient magnetic separator equipped with superconductor magnet system was developed, manufactured and tested at NRC “Kurchatov Institute”. The device is designed for enrichment of low-magnetic mineral resources, mostly oxidized ferruginous quartzites. The goal of development was both creation of next-generation of separators operating with high-power magnetic fields as well as further progress in applied superconductivity for industrial applications. This paper gives a brief description of the problem, as well as of the process of development, manufacturing and testing the superconducting magnet system. Overall design of the prototype is described, as well as design of collector matrices designed specifically for high-power magnetic field. Next is description of testing process with mineral raw materials obtained from a real industrial enrichment facility. Data on total iron percentage before and after the separation process at the prototype presented, as well as its basic performance characteristics. The results obtained in the course of the project fulfilment can be used in mining industry and metallurgy for manufacturing superconducting magnetic separators of new generation. Such separators will have many advantages comparing with regular separators (with resistive windings) as following: lower energy consumption and less weight, higher induction of the magnetic field in the working gap, possibility to use matrices with coefficient of filling by ferromagnetic precipitating elements at the level of 6-8% with large gaps for pulp passing, higher specific indices due to increased current density in the winding up to 50-100 A/mm2.

Magnetic field sources are developed and manufactured for experiments in order to activate neuron channels. The designed cryogenic magnetic systems are part of an experimental research stand for remotely controlling neuron expression by static and low-frequency (up to 100 Hz) magnetic fields. The devices are capable of producing an induction field value of ~0.5 T at the liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K); and when working with subcooled liquid nitrogen (70–65 K), the induction field value is above 1 T. The relevance of using the most promising materials—second-generation high temperature superconductors—in the cryomagnetic system is underlined.

The paper gives the results of the experiments with a model two-section REBCO solenoid cooled by either gaseous helium (GHe) or sub-cooled/solid nitrogen (SN2) in (50-77) K temperature range. The major cooling source was a single-stage cryocooler Sumitomo CH-110 with the cooling power of 175 W and 130 W at 77 K and 50 K respectively. The coil itself was not directly conduction cooled. We compare the time taken by both coolants to obtain the temperature of the magnet of about 50 K and the homogeneity of the temperature distribution within the cryostat. Test results for the coil operation in solid nitrogen together with the comparison of its critical properties in SN2 and GHe are also presented.

High gradient magnetic separation is a promising method for ores enrichment and industrial wastes recycling. The potential of separators based on resistive and permanent magnets is limited by the value of magnetic field and operational costs. LTS magnetic systems require liquid helium and complicated cryogenics. HTS magnets operated in solid nitrogen at 50 K can be a possible solution. In this study, we discuss the conceptual design of an HTS rotary separator prototype with the horizontally oriented rotor axis. The scheme allows to organize a continuous ore processing. The split magnet system consists of two 2G HTS coils on a soft-magnetic yoke with 50 mm room temperature gap. The paper gives the overall design of the magnetic system and the related cryogenic, together with the magnetic fields and forces calculations. The preliminary test results of the ReBCO coil in liquid and sub-cooled nitrogen are also presented.

The international project "NICA" (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility) is an accelerator complex which is under construction at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Dubna, Russia). Basing on the NICA project demands NRC "Kurchatov Institute" (Moscow, Russia) designed and manufactured two trial 12 kA 1G current leads (CLs) intended for powering of the JINR superconducting magnets test bench. The main requirements for the CLs were: a reliable and robust design, usage of liquid nitrogen from the NICA cooling circuits as a resistive section coolant, low resistance joints, current ramp rates up to 10 kA/s and the total heat load to the 5 K end not exceeding 0.4 W/kA per one CL. An in-situ cold test of the trial 12 kA CLs held at JINR in 2015 demonstrated the operational reliability of our technological approaches. Following the successful test results the serial production of 20 pairs of 10.5 kA HTS CLs with very few design updates for the accelerator powering started. The first 10 pairs were fabricated, tested and shipped to JINR as a part of the NICA commissioning framework in June 2017. All the CLs fulfilled the acceptance test requirements. The production of the remaining 10 pairs is to be finished in 2018. The paper gives an overview of the 12 kA and 10.5 kA HTS CLs' design, discusses their thermal, magnetic and electrical characteristics and presents the acceptance tests results. We also compare our CLs with earlier works by other groups in the context of HTS stack-and-soldering technique, joints' resistances, relative heat loads into the cryogenic environment etc.

High gradient magnetic separation is an effective method for ores enrichment and industrial wastes recycling (including radioactive wastes). The possibilities of separators based on resistive and permanent magnets are limited due to relatively low value of magnetic induction and rather high energy consumption. LTS magnetic systems require liquid helium and complicated cryogenics which can be costly and not always optimal for use at industrial facilities. High-temperature superconductors operated in liquid, sub-cooled and solid nitrogen and equipped with cryocoolers are promising materials that can help expanding industrial application of superconducting devices. In this study, we discuss the design of an HTS rotary separator prototype with the horizontally oriented rotor axis together with the magnetic fields and forces calculations that define prototype working parameters; overall design of HTS-2G coils and preliminary test results of the said coils at different operating temperatures.

A high gradient magnetic (HGM) separator prototype with the 2nd generation high temperature superconducting (2G HTS) magnetic system operated in sub-cooled nitrogen is presently under development at NRC "Kurchatov Institute" (Moscow, Russia). The main goal of the project is an attempt to shift away from the complicated liquid helium cryostats towards simple cryocooler-based nitrogen cryogenics as much more convenient for HGM separators industrial applications. Using of commercial HTS tapes allows to get a sufficient level of magnetic fields and extraction forces with low energy consumption. The expected operational parameters of the device are 1.2-1.5 T in the empty operational gap and up to 3 T on the ferromagnetic filters. In this paper we briefly describe the design of the HTS rotary separator prototype with the horizontally oriented rotor axis and propose different types of ferromagnetic filters intended for weakly magnetic ores enrichment.

Experiments were carried out to measure the delamination strength of 2G HTS tapes. During the tests a tensile force was applied to HTS tapes. Experiments were carried out at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures using "Instron 1195" tensile testing machine. The design of the cryogenic tensile testing device is described. Both copper-clad and bare tapes of different designs were tested. Current-voltage curves were measured under the load in order to evaluate the critical current degradation caused by the tensile strength.

Design of current lead boxes and joint boxes for 2.5 km long St. Petersbubrg HTS DC cable project (2.5 kA, 20 kV) is described. Maximum internal pressure of sub-cooled nitrogen is 1.4 MPa. Both current lead boxes and joint boxes are equipped with terminals for temperature and pressure measurements. Current leads of different polarities have independent electrical insulators. Two current lead boxes and one joint box have been preliminary tested. The first test results are reported.

Extremely stringent requirements, which include the impact toughness at the liquid-helium temperature, are imposed on the material of the conduit tubes for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Toroidal Field (TF) conductors. Modified 316LN-IG stainless steel is recommended as the conduit tube material. Steel 316LN-IG tube samples (both full-size samples and sub-sized samples) are subjected to mechanical tests at various stages of the process of conductor production: in the as-recieved state and after compacting, preliminary elongation by 2.5% at room temperature, and annealing at 650°C for 200 h in a pure helium gas atmosphere. The tests are carried out at room, liquid nitrogen, and liquid helium temperatures and satisfy the standards of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME and ASTM). The results of sub-size and full-size samples testing show that the last one gives more representative results to qualify the weld joints in liquid nitrogen. When the temperature decreases or the strain increases, the magnetization of the samples increases, especially in the weld area. Strain measurements with an extensometer demonstrate that the intracrystal processes occurring at the liquid-helium temperature can lead to a significant change in the local load, up to complete unloading in a deformation zone. Unusual local serrated deformation is observed with an extensometer installed in the weld area during tests in liquid helium: this deformation is the result of compressive jumps opposite to the loading direction.

The set of very tough requirements has been formulated for TF jacket materials with extremely high plasticity at liquid helium temperature. The stainless steel 316LN-IG is recommended to be used for TF jacket tubes. Samples of 316LN-IG tubes (whole tubes and sub-size samples) made of the material from the same electro slag remelt have been tested in different conditions -as received tubes and tubes after prescribed compaction, 2.5% deformation at room temperature and heat treatment at 650 degrees C, 200 hours. The tensile tests were carried out at room, liquid nitrogen and liquid helium temperatures down to 4.2 K, meeting corresponding ASME and ASTM requirements. The low temperature testing devices are described. The tests results for sub-size samples and whole tubes show that the latter tests are considerably more representative and important for butt weld qualification at LHe temperature. It was observed that the ferromagnetic properties of all samples and especially of butt welds increase with lowering the temperature and increasing the degree of deformation. At LHe temperature a non-uniform and highly localized serrated deformations were observed.