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Cited by 268Superconducting Materials and ApplicationsPhysics of Superconductivity and MagnetismSuperconducting and THz Device Technology

VIPER: an industrially scalable high-current high-temperature superconductor cable

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Hartwig, Zachary S, Vieira, Rui F, Sorbom, Brandon N, Badcock, Rodney A, Bajko, Marta, Beck, William K, Castaldo, Bernardo, Craighill, Christopher L +21 more·2020·Superconductor Science and Technology
DOI 10.1088/1361-6668/abb8c0
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Abstract

High-temperature superconductors (HTS) promise to revolutionize high-power applications like wind generators, DC power cables, particle accelerators, and fusion energy devices. A practical HTS cable must not degrade under severe mechanical, electrical, and thermal conditions; have simple, low-resistance, and manufacturable electrical joints; high thermal stability; and rapid detection of thermal runaway quench events. We have designed and experimentally qualified a vacuum pressure impregnated, insulated, partially transposed, extruded, and roll-formed (VIPER) cable that simultaneously satisfies all of these requirements for the first time. VIPER cable critical currents are stable over thousands of mechanical cycles at extreme electromechanical force levels, multiple cryogenic thermal cycles, and dozens of quench-like transient events. Electrical joints between VIPER cables are simple, robust, and demountable. Two independent, integrated fiber-optic quench detectors outperform standard quench detection approaches. VIPER cable represents a key milestone in next-step energy generation and transmission technologies and in the maturity of HTS as a technology.

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  • Cu-110 was selected as a benchmark material for its crucial role in REBCO HTS magnets and cables.

    “Cu-110 was selected as a benchmark material for its crucial role in REBCO HTS magnets and cables [24, 25].”

    From A facility for thermo-mechanical characterization of fusion magnet materials during cryogenic ion irradiation (2025) · cites this paper as [25]

    The Cable design section (page unavailable) describes the copper former as providing structural support, current sharing, and a path for heat to reach the coolant in an HTS cable. The paper does not identify that copper as Cu-110, so it supports the rationale for using copper but not the claim about that specific grade. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Cu-110 was selected as a benchmark material for its crucial role in REBCO HTS magnets and cables.

    “Cu-110 was selected as a benchmark material for its crucial role in REBCO HTS magnets and cables [24, 25].”

    From A facility for thermo-mechanical characterization of fusion magnet materials during cryogenic ion irradiation (2025) · cites this paper as [24]

    The Cable design section (page unavailable) describes a copper core supporting HTS stacks and a copper former providing a heat-removal path. The Cryostability & quench section also identifies the former’s heat capacity and low electrical resistance as contributors to cable stability. These passages support an important role for copper in HTS cables, but the paper does not identify the copper as Cu-110 or establish a role for that specific grade in REBCO magnets. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • VIPER cables operating at 20 K exhibit high cryostability, benefiting from copper specific heats and thermal conductivities.

    “For example, VIPER cables (operating at 20 K) exhibit high cryostability, benefiting from copper specific heats and thermal conductivities.”

    From A facility for thermo-mechanical characterization of fusion magnet materials during cryogenic ion irradiation (2025) · cites this paper as [24]

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References 52 · Cited by 268

Research works printed but not linked: 46

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Authors
Hartwig, Z. S., Vieira, R. F., Sorbom, B. N., Badcock, R. A., Bajko, M., Beck, W. K., Castaldo, B., Craighill, C. L., Davies, M., Estrada, J., Fry, V., Golfinopoulos, T., Hubbard, A. E., Irby, J. H., Kuznetsov, S., Lammi, C. J., Michael, P. C., Mouratidis, T., Murray, R. A., Pfeiffer, A. T., Pierson, S. Z., Radovinsky, A., Rowell, M. D., Salazar, E. E., Segal, M., Stahle, P. W., Takayasu, M., Toland, T. L., & Zhou, L.
Affiliations
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
  • Commonwealth Fusion Systems (United States) (US)
  • Victoria University of Wellington (NZ)
  • European Organization for Nuclear Research (CH)
Corresponding author
Hartwig, Zachary S
ORCID
Venue
Superconductor Science and Technology
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Published
2020-10-07
Volume
33
Issue
11
Pages
11LT01
ISSN
  • 0953-2048 (ISSN-L)
  • 1361-6668
DOI
10.1088/1361-6668/abb8c0
OpenAlex
W3092357402
Cited by
268
References
52
Citations by year
2026: 31 · 2025: 72 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 1
FWCI
8.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Superconductor Science and Technology (publishedVersion)
  • DSpace@MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • CERN Document Server (European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Superconducting Materials and Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Condensed Matter Physics › Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Superconducting and THz Device Technology
Keywords
high-temperature superconductors, superconducting cables, vacuum pressure impregnation, extruded cables, quench detection, fiber optic sensors, cryogenic thermal cycling, industrial scalability

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