Using superconductivity to fly airplanes and power space observation equipment｜UTOKYO VOICES 064

Though linear motor cars quickly come to mind when thinking of superconductive vehicles, it’s superconductive airplanes that are at the front lines of research development. Professor Hiroyuki Ohsaki, who has been involved in research on superconductive linear motor cars, is also researching superconductive motors for passenger airplanes.

“Today’s airplanes, which use jet fuel, emit large quantities of carbon dioxide, and therefore major airplane manufacturers such as Boeing have launched research on the next generation of airplanes, namely electric airplanes. Nonetheless, immense energy is needed to drive airplane motors, and there is great demand for lightweight devices. As such, superconductivity — which can achieve high efficiency and low loss as well as be lightweight — is garnering attention as technology for the next generation of motors.”

To create a superconductive state, a superconductor must be cooled close to absolute zero temperature (around -273 °C), and even for high-temperature superconductivity, it must be cooled to below liquid nitrogen temperature (around -200 °C). The temperature needed for superconductivity depends on the materials, and thus the selection of materials and the cooling methods are the key to efficiency.

At present, research is not yet at the stage where large test-purpose airplanes are manufactured and superconductors and cooling systems are placed on board to test whether the airplanes can fly. Ohsaki is investigating combinations of materials and cooling systems and conducting simulations, whereupon he creates models and conducts tests.

“We see the results of the simulation and then experiment and directly pinpoint what goes well and what does not. Then, we provide feedback to enhance the simulation. This stage, which provides the greatest depth to the research, is the most enjoyable phase.”

Ohsaki has enjoyed assembling electronic circuits by hand since childhood. In the Hokkaido town where he was born and raised, there was only one store stocked with electronic components. With the components he bought and gathered from this store, he entertained himself by creating devices such as radios and wireless microphones. This background of making devices with electronic circuits serves as a foundation for Ohsaki to this day.

Superconductivity is a technology capable of resolving issues concerning energy and climate change. The intended application of Ohsaki’s research isn’t limited to vehicles, and extends to electricity storage devices and power lines in the field of power energy, as well as space observation.

In addition, a research collaboration between JAXA and the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe is conducting research on superconducting bearings and drive systems for observation devices mounted on artificial satellites.

“This research on the development of devices for observing cosmic microwave background will allow us to learn about the universe before the Big Bang. Controlling heat generation on earth is an incredibly serious task, and therefore we are utilizing superconductive technology, which can greatly reduce energy consumption. We usually interact a lot with engineering researchers, so it’s stimulating to have discussions with science researchers.”

Ohsaki’s affiliated department, the Department of Advanced Energy, is striving for “academic fusion.” The aforementioned research certainly appears to be a fusion with space science, but Ohsaki says that collaborative research alone can’t be considered academic fusion.

“What this department is striving for — multiple fields coming together to create new frontiers — is academic fusion. This is what I want to strive for.”

For superconductivity, basic research and applied research harbor limitless, hidden possibilities. In addition to creating new academic frontiers with basic research, Ohsaki will undoubtedly use his applied research to reveal new perspectives to society.