New superconductor technology which could reduce the size and weight of conventional motors by more than 30% was unveiled in Brisbane yesterday.
The technology from Siemens in Germany is being brought into a partnership with the Defence Science & Technology Group (DST) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Siemens Australia CEO Jeff Connolly said superconductivity had strong maritime defence applications.
“For the Australian Navy, the partnership opens a pathway to more energy-efficient vessels with significant leaps forward in size, weight and capacity,” he said. “These ships will also have less environmental impact and will be cheaper to operate.”
He said Siemens has invested over 15 years high temperature superconductor knowledge from Germany and was transferring that knowledge to Australia. helping the nation revolutionise how power is used in maritime defence, shipbuilding, power and transport.
“Our ability to continuously innovate as a nation hinges on the availability of technology and infrastructure that can facilitate and support the ‘ideas boom’. It relies on doing things quicker, more cost effectively and with minimal impact on the environment,” Connolly said.
Australian Assistant Minister for Innovation Wyatt Roy attended the launch at Banyo in northern Brisbane and described the three-way partnership as a huge vote of confidence for Australian ingenuity.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see a Queensland institution out front on this world-leading research in what is a snapshot of the future Australian economy," the Minister said.
“It’s the next stage of advanced manufacturing driven by local R&D – a re-tooled manufacturing sector that will provide our jobs growth as the economy transitions. The project also shows how collaboration is critical between our bright research minds, the private sector and the government."
QUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Commercialisation, Professor Arun Sharma said the the project would put them at the international forefront of superconducting motor research.
“As the world strives to find more efficient and cleaner ways to power ships and other forms of large-scale transport, QUT will be testing this superconducting motor and at the same time looking at the other potential uses and benefits of this new technology,” Sharma said.
Chief Defence Scientist Dr. Alex Zelinksy said the partnership focuses on transitioning research to outcomes that can deal with real world problems, starting with its potential applications to defence.
“The research is in line with our strategic goal to partner with the best talents in industry and academia to achieve a capability edge for defence,” Zelinsky said.
A model of a levitating vehicle - one of the application areas of high temperature superconducting technology. Photo: Siemens