Bulk Superconductors for Benchtop NMR

Bulk high temperature superconductors (HTS) can be used as pseudo-permanent magnets with considerably better trapped magnetic field performance. This project aims to develop a cost-effective bulk HTS based magnet system for benchtop NMR spectrometers, making NMR hardware much more affordable and accessible. This carries the potential to greatly accelerate innovation in chemistry and biology.
Like permanent magnet materials, bulk HTS need to be magnetised, or 'charged'. Unlike permanent magnets the charging system must be in the device, as magnetic field is lost on warming. This is one of the primary challenges to realising a commercially viable bulk HTS magnet. In addition, understanding the charging process and mapping the magnetic field attained within the bulk is essential to realising products utilising bulk HTS. The primary focus of the project will be on optimising the pulse charging technique to create a bulk HTS magnet suitable for NMR spectroscopy.