Marsden fund to support research in energy loss of HTS superconductors
Dr Zhenan Jiang, Principal Scientist at Paihau—Robinson Research Institute, has been awarded $932,000 from the Marsden Fund for his research into high temperature superconducting (HTS) fusion technology. He is one of twelve Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington researchers to receive funding this year.
Dr Jiang says the Marsden fund will greatly advance the knowledge of energy loss behaviours of high temperature superconductors in unexplored extreme conditions related to HTS fusion technology.
“It will also increase our capability for our AC loss research within our institute.
“We will develop finite element method (FEM) models and scaling laws that will be validated through AC loss (energy loss due to alternating magnetic field) experiments and critical current measurements. We will use the models and scaling laws to predict for the first time the behaviour of HTS conductors in fusion magnets operating at extreme conditions,” Dr Jiang says.
He says the long-term goal of this research is to ultimately resolve the global energy crisis.
“Successful development of HTS fusion technology implies human beings can make many small ‘suns’ on the earth—electricity so cheap that nobody on the planet would worry about power bills.”
After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Chongqing University, China, followed by Master’s and PhD degrees from Yokohama National University, Japan, Dr Jiang sought to explore more of the fascinating phenomena of superconductivity. This fascination, alongside the international reputation of the institute, saw him take up the position of Research Scientist at Paihau—Robinson Research Institute in 2008.
Fourteen years later, Zhenan is now Principal Scientist and is leading AC loss research at the institute. Of the many benefits of working with Paihau—Robinson, Dr Jiang identifies its international reputation in applied superconductivity, world-class labs, strong supportive team culture, international connections, and supervision opportunities as his highlights.
The Marsden Fund supports leading-edge research excellence in science, engineering and maths, social sciences, and the humanities. It is administered by the Royal Society Te Apārangi on behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment.