Engineering superconductivity into power intensive applications

Professor Rod Badcock outlines the engineering journey he and his team undertook, including developing new talent and removing engineering roadblocks.

From medical imaging to cell towers, superconductivity is everywhere in our everyday lives. Discovered in 1986, high temperature superconductivity can generate large magnetic fields and carry electrical current through conductors that are thinner than paper. New Zealand has been at the international forefront of moving this technology rapidly into commercial application. And, in a time of climate crisis, this work is more important than ever.

Paihau-Robinson Research Institute focuses on accelerating the implementation of superconductivity into applications such as generators, motors, power transformers and high-field magnets. Unlocking the potential of superconductivity requires multidisciplinary expertise to engineer solutions through understanding the physics and materials science.

In his inaugural lecture, Professor Rod Badcock outlines the engineering journey he and his team have taken to make the impossible possible. This includes partnering and application, developing new talent, and removing engineering roadblocks. He also shares some of the creative young minds who are solving this endeavour with them and are making their own stand in the world.

Read more about Professor Rod Badcock.

Professor Rod Badcock with Professor Ehsan Mesbahi and Professor Jennifer Windsor
Inaugural lecture (left to right): Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Science, Health, Engineering, Architecture & Design Innovation Ehsan Mesbahi, Professor Rod Badcock, and Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Jennifer Windsor.

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