Superconductivity is widely regarded as one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century. A superconductor, is a metallic alloy or compound that will conduct electricity without resistance below a certain temperature. The major applications of superconductivity pertain to the medical, science and industrial field, and they all require high intensity magnetic fields. Therefore this report outlines superconducting magnets, its benefits of why they are good magnets, as well as an overview of the major superconductor magnet applications.
2. Classification of Magnets
A. magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field, which is really an interaction between electrons [1]. When current passes through a coil of wire, it is able to produce a magnetic field. If …show more content…
Advantages and Disadvantages of superconducting magnets
3.1.1. Advantages
• Superconducting magnets have high currents and it produces a magnetic field with an intensity that is far greater than a resistive magnet or a permanent magnet.
• The operating cost of a superconducting magnet is low, this is due to the fact that it does not need to be powered by electricity. Although it consumes liquid helium which is expensive, the operating costs are still lower than the normal or permanent magnets [6].
• These magnets are compact [find reference]. It is compact in the sense that the current can keep increasing without creating any heat. This also promotes efficiency.
• Finally, superconducting magnets generally have a longer lifespan as compared to resistive magnets. This is because resistive magnets eventually suffer from heat damage and wear and tear.
3.1.2. Disadvantages
• Superconducting magnets cannot operate indefinitely, this is because they require cryogenic fluids to remain in the superconducting state. A cryogenic system keeps the magnetic field alive, if it happens to lose superconductivity, this incident is called a Quench