Projects

International projects

Current

SCARLET - Superconducting cables for sustainable energy transition
Duration:	1. 9. 2022 - 28. 2. 2027
Evidence number:	Horizont Európa-101075602
Program:	Horizont Európa
Project leader:	doc. Ing. Gömöry Fedor, DrSc.
SAS cosolvers:	Ing. Kováč Pavol, DrSc.
Partner countries:	France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal
Project website:	https://scarlet-project.eu/

EUROfusion - Implementation of activities described in the Roadmap to Fusion during Horizon2020 through a Joint programme of the members of the EUROfusion consortium
Duration:	1. 1. 2014 - 31. 12. 2025
Evidence number:	H2020-101052200
Program:	Horizont 2020
Project leader:	doc. Ing. Gömöry Fedor, DrSc.
Partner countries:	Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Project website:	http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/193159_en.html

Finished

I.FAST - Innovation Fostering in Accelerator Science and Technology
Duration:	1. 5. 2021 - 30. 4. 2025
Evidence number:	H2020-101004730
Program:	Horizont 2020
Project leader:	Mgr. Seiler Eugen, PhD
Partner countries:	Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Project website:	https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101004730

SuperEMFL - Superconducting magnets for the European Magnet Field Laboratory
Duration:	1. 1. 2021 - 31. 12. 2024
Evidence number:	H2020-951714
Program:	Horizont 2020
Project leader:	Mgr. Pardo Enric, PhD.
Partner countries:	Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Project website:	https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/951714

HiSCALE - High-TeHigh-Temperature SuperConductivity for AcceLerating the Energy Transitionmperature SuperConductivity for AcceLerating the Energy Transition
Duration:	8. 10. 2020 - 7. 10. 2024
Evidence number:	CA19108
Program:	COST
Project leader:	Mgr. Pardo Enric, PhD.
Partner countries:	Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Project website:	https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA19108/#tabs|Name:overview

Filamentized high temperature superconductor tapes for fusion
Duration:	1. 10. 2021 - 30. 9. 2024
Evidence number:	Eurostars 2 - E115264
Program:	EUREKA
Project leader:	doc. Ing. Gömöry Fedor, DrSc.
Partner countries:	Denmark, Germany

ARIES - Accelerator research and innovation for european science and society
Duration:	1. 5. 2017 - 30. 4. 2021
Evidence number:	H2020-730871
Program:	Horizont 2020
Project leader:	Mgr. Seiler Eugen, PhD
Partner countries:	Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Project website:	http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/207680_en.html

National projects

Current

Thermal stability of superconducting coils and filamentized REBCO tapes
Duration:	1. 1. 2024 - 31. 12. 2026
Evidence number:	2/0098/24
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Seiler Eugen, PhD
SAS cosolvers:	MSc. Dadhich Anang, PhD., Ing. Frolek Lubomír, doc. Ing. Gömöry Fedor, DrSc., MSc. Hussain Arif, Ing. Kucharovič Martin, PhD., Ing. Kujovič Tomáš, PhD., Ing. Mošať Marek, PhD., Mgr. Pardo Enric, PhD., Ing. Ries Rastislav, PhD., Mgr. Soloviov Mykola, PhD., Ing. Šouc Ján, CSc., Štefánik Stanislav, Tančár Juraj
Annotation:	The project investigates electro-thermal stability of filamentized superconducting REBCO tapes andsuperconducting coils at transporting the electric current. The goal is to develop theoretical models and numericalmethods allowing to determine the maximum transport current that can flow through a superconducting coil orthrough a filamentized tape without the risk of a rapid local heating. Characterization of tapes and coils will bebased on the standard measurement methods as well as on specially designed experiments, which will allow toincorporate the real parameters of available superconducting tapes into the models. In order to experimentallyverify the theoretical models of thermal stability of superconducting coils, specific model coils will be built,equipped with multiple voltage and temperature sensors for detailed monitoring of the electro-thermal stability.The outcomes of the theoretical models will subsequently be applied at manufacturing bigger coils, relevant forrealistic electric devices.

SUPENKA - Superconducting energy cables
Duration:	1. 4. 2024 - 31. 3. 2026
Evidence number:	09I01-03-V04 -00020
Program:	Plán obnovy EÚ
Project leader:	doc. Ing. Gömöry Fedor, DrSc.
Annotation:	The SUPENKA project follows up the European SCARLET project, the aim of which is to develop a superconducting cable for direct current at medium voltage level of 25-50 kV, which results in the removal of the converter platform (around 10,000 tons of material). Such a solution can be advantageously used, for example, in transmission from a wind turbine farm, where direct current can be directly obtained in the turbine structure at the medium voltage level (25 to 100 kV).The proposed SUPENKA project aims to develop in more detail some aspects of the problem solved in the SCARLET project. In the scientific field, there are two main goals: • C1: Development of a methodology for including the inhomogeneity of superconducting properties in the analysis of the stability of current transmission by a superconducting cable • C2: Verification of the possibilities of cooling superconducting cables with non-traditional cooling media. The basic verification of the methodology on short samples has already taken place, therefore the starting level of the SUPENKA project is in the range of TRL 3-4, and the intention is to reach the level of TRL 5.The SUPENKA project will contribute to the fulfillment of the ambitious climate goals of the EC work program "Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply" aimed at transforming the energy system and shifting energy supply towards climate neutrality within two areas of influence: • Leading position of European industry in key and new technologies for benefit of people • Affordable and clean energy

SPEARhydro - Harnessing the energy of rivers for everyone
Duration:	1. 10. 2024 - 31. 3. 2026
Evidence number:	09I04-03-V03-00001
Program:	Plán obnovy EÚ
Project leader:	Mgr. Soloviov Mykola, PhD.

Superconducting joints of MgB2 wires for windings in persistent mode
Duration:	1. 1. 2022 - 31. 12. 2025
Evidence number:	2/0017/22
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Ing. Kováč Pavol, DrSc.
SAS cosolvers:	Ing. Berek Dušan , Ing. Búran Marek, PhD., Ing. Hušek Imrich, Mgr. Kováč Ján, PhD., Ing. Melišek Tibor, Ing. Rosová Alica, CSc.
Annotation:	The idea of this project is to make and optimize superconducting joints between the composite MgB2 wiresmanufactured by powder-in-tube method „PIT“ and by the infiltration or diffusion of magnesium into boronprocess „IMD“ and use it for winding working in „persistent mode“. It will be done dominantly for superconductingjoints of winding made by „wind and react“ technique, but joints for winding with already reacted MgB2 wiresmade by „react and wind“ process will be developed as well. The properties of manufactured superconductingMgB2 joints of different geometry and architecture will be subjected to mechanical and thermal treatments, which would reach the joint current around 50% of critical current measured for the reference MgB2 wire at external field 5 T.

REBCO superconductor tensile and compressive limits - methodology
Duration:	1. 7. 2024 - 31. 12. 2025
Evidence number:	APD0064
Program:	PostdokGrant
Project leader:	Ing. Kujovič Tomáš, PhD.

TREND - Optimization of round high-temperature supercnoducting cable for pulse magnetic field
Duration:	1. 7. 2021 - 30. 6. 2025
Evidence number:	20-0056
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	doc. Ing. Gömöry Fedor, DrSc.
Annotation:	The project is focused on an optimization of a cable made of high temperature superconducting tapes wound on acore in form of a tube with the possibility of cooling the cable by the coolant flowing through the former. Thepurpose of the optimization is a significant decrease of AC losses, which can be achieved through threemodifications of the cable. The first one is to reduce the width of the 4 mm superconducting tape down to 1 mmwith steps smaller than 0.2 mm. The tuning of the tape width should allow to prepare the cables with optimalpacking of the cable layers and with greater flexibility. The second modification is an additional narrowing of thesuperconductor width by striation scribing the superconducting layer along the tape with already optimized width.Both processes require a development of a suitable method for the cutting and scribing process of thesuperconducting tapes with minimal impact on their mechanical, structural and electrical properties. The thirdmodification is the innovation of the central former, which should fulfill requirement of significantly reduced electricalconductivity. Modified superconducting tapes and cables prepared from them will be characterized in terms ofmechanical and electromagnetic properties. Most of the experiments will be supported by computer modeling.

Finished

Thermal stabilization of high-temperature superconducting tapes for fault current limiters
Duration:	1. 1. 2021 - 31. 12. 2024
Evidence number:	1/0205/21
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	doc. Ing. Gömöry Fedor, DrSc.
Annotation:	Additional thermal stabilization is necessary for commercially available high-temperature superconducting tapes,in order to use the tapes in devices for fault current limiting in high-voltage grids. The proposed project is aimed atfabrication of thermally stabilizing composite coating (epoxy resin with ceramic filler), which will act as a sink andabsorber of the heat produced in a limiting event. Various materials for thermal stabilization will be tested, withregard to their thermal, physical, and mechanical properties, and their resistance against thermal shocks.Possibilities for improvement of mechanical properties will be investigated by additional reinforcement of thethermal stabilization. The effectivity of the thermal stabilization will be determined for superconducting tapes fromvarious producers, by experimental limiting of fault current. Experiments will be complemented with numericalmodelling.

Low-loss superconducting CORC-like cable from REBCO conductors
Duration:	1. 1. 2021 - 31. 12. 2023
Evidence number:	2/0036/21
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Mgr. Seiler Eugen, PhD
SAS cosolvers:	MSc. Dadhich Anang, PhD., Ing. Frolek Lubomír, MSc. Ghabeli Juybari Asef, PhD., doc. Ing. Gömöry Fedor, DrSc., Ing. Kujovič Tomáš, PhD., Ing. Mošať Marek, PhD., Mgr. Pardo Enric, PhD., Ing. Ries Rastislav, PhD., Mgr. Soloviov Mykola, PhD., Ing. Šouc Ján, CSc., Štefánik Stanislav, Tančár Juraj
Annotation:	Aim of the project is to elaborate the design of a superconducting CORC-like cable with considerably reduced AClosses. Project is focused on identification of the key parameters of the cable design, on the construction of modelcables and their experimental characterisation. The research will follow two basic directions: optimisation ofgeometrical layout of the individual REBCO tapes in the cable and investigation of possible utilisation of lowconductivity materials for the central core of the cable. Geometrical optimisation of the cable will be based onresults of numerical simulations employing the Finite Element Method and the Minimum Electro-Magnetic EntropyProduction method. In the experimental part, sets of short model cables will be manufactured for tests of differentgeometrical configurations and different materials for the central core. Investigated will be the total AC losses,basic transport parameters and degradation of superconducting tapes due to mechanical loading in the cablingprocess.

High temperature superconducting coils in motors for electric and hybrid aircrafts
Duration:	1. 7. 2020 - 30. 6. 2023
Evidence number:	19-0536
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Mgr. Pardo Enric, PhD.
SAS cosolvers:	MSc. Dadhich Anang, PhD., Ing. Frolek Lubomír, MSc. Ghabeli Juybari Asef, PhD., doc. Ing. Gömöry Fedor, DrSc., Ing. Kapolka Milan , PhD., Kopera Ľubomír, Mgr. Kováč Ján, PhD., Ing. Melišek Tibor, Ing. Mošať Marek, PhD., Mgr. Seiler Eugen, PhD, Mgr. Soloviov Mykola, PhD., Ing. Šouc Ján, CSc., Tančár Juraj
Annotation:	Full superconducting electric motors are very promising to provide therequired power density to enablecommercial hybrid and electric airplanes. These can reduce emissions by75 % in CO2 and 90 % in NOx, followingthe ACARE Flightpath 2050 targets of the European Union. Superconductingmotors can also be applied to cleanersea or sweet water transport. In spite of the extensive research in thearea, the electro-magnetic and electro-thermal properties of superconducting coils in the motor magneticenvironment remain largely unknown, partiallybecause of the lack of measurements of the relevant temperatures(between 20-40 K) and modeling methods forfull superconducting motors.The aim of this project is to gain this understanding and develop numerical modeling methods to enable the design of future superconducting motors. These methods will be compared to experiments in the relevant temperature range for motor applications.

Superconducting coils made of uniform MgB2 wires with tubular filaments
Duration:	1. 7. 2019 - 30. 11. 2022
Evidence number:	18-0271
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Ing. Kováč Pavol, DrSc.
Annotation:	The aim of this project is to develop the process of infiltration/diffusion (IMD) for long and uniform superconducting wires with tubular MgB2 filaments resulting in high engineering current densities measured in coils cooled by solid nitrogen in persistent mode. The main aim is to increase three times the engineering current density in long IMD MgB2 wires in comparison to those commercially obtained by powder-in-tube (PIT) process, especially in the range of magnetic fields 1-5T and temperatures around 20K

Advanced MgB2 superconductor without diffusion barrier
Duration:	1. 1. 2020 - 31. 12. 2021
Evidence number:	2/0140/19
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Ing. Kováč Pavol, DrSc.
Annotation:	The essence of the project is to prepare and optimize the method of preparation of superconducting composite wire (filaments) by the method of magnesium infiltration or diffusion into boron. The main emphasis will be focused on the simplicity of preparation (without the diffusion barrier), the availability and suitability of the sheath materials and their electro-mechanical properties. The properties of the MgB2 superconducting core will be controlled by technological preparation, annealing conditions, and possible doping. Selection of suitable materials and technological processes allows monitoring of effects on micro-structure, mechanical properties and superconductive properties: critical current density at temperatures in the range of 4.2 - 20 K, critical temperature, connectivity or losses in alternating magnetic field. The role of the project will be also to examine the possibility of creating superconducting links.

MAPKO - Magnetic cloaks from superconductor/ferromagnet composites
Duration:	1. 7. 2017 - 28. 2. 2021
Evidence number:	16-0418
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	doc. Ing. Gömöry Fedor, DrSc.
Annotation:	Realization of a magnetic cloak allowing to hide objects from being observed by a magnetic detector enables the experimental study of several fundamental problems of electromagnetism as well as the searching for innovative solutions of practical problems of magnetic field shielding and shaping. Main aim of the project is the development of methods for design and realization of magnetic cloaks that would provide the possibility to investigate these topics. Basic property we will pursue is the magnetic invisibility when a detector placed outside the cloak will not notice the cloak itself nor a “magnetic cargo” it would contain. Theoretical predictions for reaching perfect invisibility assume unrealistic properties of the used materials and work with ideal and simple shapes without any limitation of dimensions. That is why an important part of the project will be the search and testing of new numerical modelling methods able to include these substantial aspects of real objects. With help of these novel methods we plan to demonstrate the 99% perfection in magnetic invisibility at frequencies from DC to 1000 Hz. Our research could help to reach the following goals: a) Creation of space for experiments in biology shielding the Earth magnetic field as well as that produced in urban environment. Room temperature cylindrical space with at least 50 mm diameter and 150 mm height should allow easy sample exchange and manipulation. b) Design and manufacturing of the cloak for magnetic fields in the 0.1 T range with the volume exceeding 1000 cm3 for the purpose of protecting a sensitive electronic circuitry or e.g. formation of working space for DC arc welding in vicinity of electrical machines generating the stray field at this level. c) Investigation of force exerted on the cloak by a non-uniform magnetic field, in particular the possibility of a magnetic propulsion with help of controlling the magnetic moment of the superconductor/ferromagnet composite.

Advanced materials and smart structures for progressive applications in electrical engineering, electronics and other fields based on micro- and nano-sized ferrite particles
Duration:	1. 7. 2016 - 30. 6. 2020
Evidence number:	15-0257
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Mgr. Soloviov Mykola, PhD.

Composite superconductor MgB2 made by internal Mg diffusion
Duration:	1. 1. 2016 - 31. 12. 2018
Evidence number:	2/0129/16
Program:	VEGA
Project leader:	Ing. Kováč Pavol, DrSc.
Annotation:	The goal of this project is to prepare superconducting wire (filament) using new method of diffusion of magnesium (IMD) into the boron layer. The usability of this method is regarded by resulting very high density of superconducting part in the composite. One of the purpose is to optimize the IMD technique in that way, that dense MgB2 wire reach very high critical current density Jc comparing to older techniques (ex situ, in situ). We can expect improvement of important technical parameters like critical current density in low magnetic fields (< 3 Tesla) and critical temperature to be competitive also for low temperature superconductors (Nb3Sn, NbTi, Nb3Al ...), having another advantage of more efficient cooling technique without the liquid helium.

Pinning in commercial coated conductors
Duration:	1. 1. 2016 - 31. 12. 2018
Evidence number:	1633/03/01-b
Program:	SASPRO
Project leader:	Mgr. Seiler Eugen, PhD
Annotation:	The project will investigate pinning mechanisms in commercial ReBCO coated conductors coming from different industrial producers. Different manufacturing processes incorporate various kinds of pinning centers into functional superconducting layers of these conductors and as a consequence a very diverse mixture of pinning centers with dissimilar strength dependence on temperature and magnetic field can be found. Main focus will be on the temperature and magnetic field range interesting for applications in electric machinery (electric motors, generators, transformers, etc.) – temperatures 65 K to 77 K and fields 0 to 5 T. The aim is to identify which of the pinning mechanism is the most effective in the temperature and field domain of our interest and develop experimental techniques for its classification and description. Scaling of the critical current density and of the depinning activation energy with temperature and applied magnetic field will be experimentally characterized for all the commercial ReBCO coated conductors considered. At first the experiments in a broad range of available temperatures (4.2 K to 77 K) and applied magnetic fields (0 to 14 T) will be performed, focusing in the second stage on the domain perspective for the electric machinery applications. The experimental results will be compared with the predictions of available pinning models in order to determine and distinguish the different pinning mechanisms. Project combines experimental activity with application and development of theoretical models. Basic experimental techniques will be magnetization loop measurements and magnetic relaxation measurements in the Vibrating Sample Magnetometer, combined with transport measurements of current-voltage characteristics at various orientations of applied magnetic field.

Investigation of design and manufacturing methods for coils from round high-temperature superconducting conductor
Duration:	1. 7. 2015 - 31. 12. 2018
Evidence number:	14-0438
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Ing. Šouc Ján, CSc.

Ultra light composite superconductor based on Mg, B, Ti and Al
Duration:	1. 7. 2015 - 31. 12. 2018
Evidence number:	14-0522
Program:	APVV
Project leader:	Ing. Kováč Pavol, DrSc.

Thermo-electrical stability of superconductors in unconventional cooling conditions
Duration:	1. 4. 2015 - 31. 3. 2018
Evidence number:	0061/01/01
Program:	SASPRO
Project leader:	Ing. Vojenčiak Michal, PhD.
Annotation:	Superconductors are materials with strongly non-linear current-voltage characteristic. When the transported electrical current is below the critical value they exhibit zero resistance, while at higher currents their resistance is high. Latter regime is associated with energy dissipation and temperature increase; it can lead to the temperature excursion causing a damage of superconducting material. Stability of the superconducting wire describes how big is the margin against transition to nonsuperconducting state and whether it will be followed by a material degradation. In this project we investigate the stability in conditions representing the situation typical for two configurations: the fault current limiter and the cable for a coil winding.