Research Needs for Magnetic Fusion Energy Sciences - US Burning ...

opment, and eventually prototype magnet development. Research and development on making
advanced hts conductors in alternative geometries requires a robust materials development program,
especially for development of round ybco wires or direct deposition of hts materials on
structures. This is also true to achieve the goals of developing structural materials with the proper
alloy chemistry and manufacturing methods.
The Us fusion program is ready to begin this hts program. The remaining magnet program participants
have deep experience in development of advanced low-temperature superconducting
(lts) materials, advanced structural alloys, and radiation-tolerant insulation systems. The base
program experience can be applied also to component development, e.g., high current conductors,
cicc, high current joints, magnet winding, insulation and impregnation, cryogenic cooling systems,
and magnet structure.
laboratory facilities are adequate to begin this program, including, for example, facilities at the
mit Plasma science and Fusion center and the national high magnetic Field laboratory. in addition,
we expect to collaborate with the high energy Physics program (e.g., lawrence berkeley
national laboratory) and the applied superconductivity Group (electric grid-based hts systems)
at oak Ridge national laboratory. These laboratories already have complementary hts programs
supported by doe funding, and it would be advantageous to oFes to collaborate where feasible,
leveraging these efforts and facilities.
Relation to Other Thrusts
This enabling Thrust would broaden the range of options for experimental fusion research in all
Themes. For example, demountable hts joints and/or incorporation of hts into non-planar coils
suitable for 3-d magnetic configurations would be of benefit to:
1. steady-state integration experiments for Themes 2 and/or 3 (Thrusts 8, 12).
2. complex magnetic configurations for Theme 5 (Thrust 17).
3. a Fusion nuclear science Facility for component tests for Theme 4 (Thrust 13).
4. demountable coils that may strongly enhance the achievement of Rami for demo
(Theme 4, Thrusts 13, 15).
The research activities should therefore be reassessed later in the oFes strategic planning process
once physics research needs have been clarified and prioritized.
benefits for Magnetic Fusion Energy and Other Scientific applications
implementation of this Thrust will result in fusion devices that have high performance, high reliability,
availability and maintainability with acceptable cost — potentially a “game-changer” in
several respects. in the shorter term, the results of this work offer flexible experimental scale devices
that can be operated in the steady state, including tokamaks, stellarators, and other nonplanar
geometries for 3-d magnetic configuration devices. These will enhance and accelerate the
scientific research needed for mFes.
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