Seminar By Seungyong Hahn, Seoul National University

Title: Grand Challenges of High Field HTS Magnet Technologies

Host: Magnets & Materials Seminar

Abstract: REBCO has been regarded as one of the most promising HTS options mainly due to its large in-field current carrying capacity and strong substrate mechanical toughness. Thus, it may not be a surprise that the recent high expectation on compact fusion has been largely relying on REBCO conductor and magnet technologies. Despite the recent notable achievements in some milestone REBCO magnets, however, we are still struggling with even fundamental challenges such as accurate estimation of critical current and understanding of spatial and temporal distributions of currents (transport, screening, and radial leak). Consequently, modern REBCO magnets have been designed and operated with lack of confidence in precise estimation of electrical and mechanical limits. This talk summarizes lessons learned from selected milestone REBCO magnets, identifies key technical challenges, suggests potential solutions and discusses potential collaborations among international partners in the HTS magnet community.

About the Presenter: Seungyong Hahn is a professor with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University (SNU). Before joining SNU, he was an Associate Professor with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Florida State University and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (2015-2017). He had also worked at the Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory of MIT as a Research Engineer (2005 – 2015) and a post-doctor (2003-2005). His primary research interest is high field superconductor magnet and its applications including MRI, NMR, fusion, accelerator and electric propulsion.