Recent Development and Status of Ex-Situ PIT MgB₂ Wires at ASG Superconductors

Nowadays, ex-situ Powder-In-Tube (PIT) MgB ₂ multifilamentary wires are commercially available in long length and can reach self-field critical current (I _c ) values above 1000 A at 20K; moreover, thanks to its high critical temperature T _c (38K) such wires are good candidates for cryogen-free applications and devices required for the future. In the past, MRI system has already profited from these advantages and turned out to a series production of open MRI systems. Recently, this type of conductor has been chosen in the European project SCARLET for demonstrating the feasibility of a 500MW DC monopolar cable system transferring 20kA at 25kV and, at the same time, distributes LH ₂ . In addition, MgB ₂ is the most lightweight superconductor among the realm of practical superconductors thus to be also suitable for aircraft components.In this work, the current state-of-the-art of the commercial ex-situ PIT MgB ₂ wires at ASG superconductors is reported and perspectives and challenges for their improvements over the next years is discussed.