Epoch Wires - Demonstrating a process for continuous manufacture of MgB2 superconducting wire

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique that is able to produce
high-resolution images of the interior of the body. It is most commonly used to exam the
brain, abdomen and the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, where its ability to
distinguish the structure of soft tissues assists in the diagnosis of conditions such as heart
disease, cancer multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Most MRI systems use superconducting magnets that require supercooling with liquid helium
to operate. The price of helium has more than doubled in the last decade as demand has
continued to grow. This has led to extremely high running costs for MRI systems.
MRI manufacturers are seeking alternative superconducting materials that operate at
temperatures above the boiling point of cryogenic liquids such as hydrogen and nitrogen,
which are relatively inexpensive and readily available. The most promising alternative
superconducting material is magnesium diboride (MgB2) because it is superconducting below
39 K; therefore it can operate with liquid hydrogen, which has a boiling point of 20 K.
However, MRI machines require large quantities (5 - 20 km) of continuous superconducting
wire and currently there is no commercially viable manufacturing process to produce MgB2 at
a price and quantity to enter the market.
Epoch Wires have a patent pending process to manufacture large quantities of continuous
MgB2 wire. They need the to develop a prototype system that can demonstrate MgB2 wire
production at an acceptable price point for the MRI manufacturers.