SuperPower Inc. develops and manufactures long lengths of robust and high-performance second-generation (2G) high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire, a layer structure or “coated conductor” configuration, that provides important advantages over copper-based systems for applications in energy and medical technologies, alternative energy, transportation, military, space, industry, science and research. Advantages include operation at liquid nitrogen temperatures (vs. helium of earlier superconductors), better performance in a background magnetic field, high energy density that results in lighter and smaller devices, and “green” attributes making this a safe and environmentally friendly technology.
SuperPower® 2G HTS Wire is highly efficient as compared to copper and other conductors, and has low energy losses due to the lack of resistance during current flow. The wire is offered in a number of application-specific configurations (width, thickness, type of stabilization, insulation options) and chemistries (advanced pinning [AP] for operation in magnetic fields and cable formulation [CF] for 77K self-field operation) and work continues to further improve performance and pricing parameters.
SuperPower has a unique competitive advantage over other HTS providers through its depth of knowledge of superconductivity, low temperature refrigeration and magnetic devices. A large portfolio of patents, patent applications, licenses and trade secrets has been built from the expertise of the scientific and technical staff at SuperPower.
SuperPower also offers design, fabrication, and testing of 2G HTS coils made to customer specifications, as well as engineering services.
Formed in 2000 to focus on the development and commercialization of 2G HTS technology for energy technology applications, SuperPower became a subsidiary of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. in February 2012. SuperPower is headquartered in Schenectady, New York, also the location of its manufacturing operation. Research and Development are carried out in affiliation with the University of Houston in Texas, and other laboratories and support organizations are located in various areas of Japan.
