Second-generation high-temperature superconductors, manufactured in the form of thin films called tapes, can carry very high electrical currents with almost no resistance when cooled to cryogenic temperatures. These tapes could enable the construction of magnets operating above 20 tesla for applications such as particle accelerators, fusion reactors, and advanced medical imaging. They also have potential in more everyday technologies, including lighter and more efficient motors for electric ships and aircraft, as well as large offshore wind turbines.
However, these tapes are made of multiple thin layers of different materials, making them strong in some directions and fragile in others. They experience high mechanical stresses during magnet manufacturing, cooling, operation, and in the event of a sudden loss of superconductivity, known as a quench.
“Understanding exactly how these tapes respond to different types of forces is essential to building magnets that are both powerful and reliable,” says MSc Hamed Milanchian, the doctoral researcher behind the study.
The research shows when highly detailed simulations of each individual layer are necessary, and when faster, simplified “homogenized” models can be used without losing important accuracy. The work also examines how uncertainties in material properties influence simulation results and compares different modeling tools, including an open-source FEM tool and commercial software.
These findings will help magnet designers choose the right level of modeling detail for each stage of design, saving time and computational resources while ensuring safe and robust magnet performance. The developed models are openly available for the scientific community to adapt for their own magnet design projects.
Public defence on Friday 29 August
The doctoral dissertation of MSc Hamed Milanchian in the field of computing and electrical engineering titled Mechanical Analysis of 2nd Generation High-Temperature Superconductor Tapes Using Finite Element Simulations: Comparative study of modeling approaches under different loading scenarios will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University at 12:00 on Friday 29.8.2025 at Hervanta campus, Konetalo building, auditorium K1702 (Korkeakoulunkatu 6, Tampere).
The Opponent will be Dr. Luigi Muzzi from Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development. The Custos will be Adjunct Professor Tiina Salmi from Tampere University.
The doctoral dissertation is available online.
The public defence can be followed via remote connection.