Paihau-Robinson Research Institute

The space team at Paihau-Robinson Research Institute is getting closer to the delivery of Hēki, our high-temperature superconductor (HTS) technology demonstration experiment which heads to the International Space Station early next year. Last week, the HTS magnet and its flux pump power supply were subjected to a simulated launch at the University of Auckland’s Te Pūnaha Ãtea / Space Institute using a novel three-axis vibration table. Since returning to our facilities, the team has repeated tests in simulated space conditions and everything is still functioning as expected. Many thanks to Vladimir Yotov for hosting our team through this critical test! #SpaceResearch #PaihauRobinson #HēkiMission #UniversityofAuckland

Paihau–Robinson Research Institute's PhD student Yue Wu has written a paper selected on the cover of the Superconductivity Journal. This paper contributes to improving the design and efficiency of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) transformers. By investigating how the iron core impacts energy loss in the transformer, the study provides valuable insights that can lead to the development of more energy-efficient transformers. It is crucial because even a slight reduction in energy loss can result in significant cost savings and reduced environmental impact over the lifetime of a transformer. Additionally, understanding these dynamics helps engineers optimise transformer designs for better performance and durability, which is vital for industries that rely heavily on large-scale electrical power distribution. We are proud of the high profile of our students, and this is yet again another example of how their work has been recognised internationally. You can access the paper here: https://lnkd.in/gVtR6yNx #superconductivity #sicence #research #PhD

Dr Fiona Stevens McFadden is our new Deputy Director! Fiona's academic journey began in 2012, but her 30-year career has spanned commercial, industrial and research sectors from Rio Tinto to Callaghan Innovation. Recently, Fiona worked as the Principal Engineer at the Paihau Robinson Research Institute before accepting this role as the Deputy Director. Fiona is known for her exceptional leadership, mentorship, and inclusive approach, which empowers and inspires. She believes in creating a collaborative environment where diversity is valued and every voice matters—for her, these are the principles that drive innovation and excellence. Her vision is clear: integrating interdisciplinary research and making a tangible impact on both local and global scales. Join us in welcoming Fiona to her new role and discover more about her journey and vision for the future. Don't miss out on hearing from Dr. Stevens McFadden herself in the insightful video below. #ResearchExcellence #Leadership #Innovation #NewZealand #PaihauRobinsonResearchInstitute https://lnkd.in/gk5ivg9X

Jakub Glowacki presenting Paihau-Robinson Research Institute's operational superconducting applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic thruster with a 1.25 T field at the International Electric Propulsion Conference #IEPC #IEPC2024

Today, the space research team at Paihau-Robinson Research Institute operated Kōkako, our Applied Field - Magnetoplasma Dynamic (AF-MPD) electric propulsion thruster, with a 1.25 Tesla magnetic field! The field is produced by a high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet built just a few metres from our test chamber. We believe this is the highest-field AF-MPD system ever operated. It was done using HTS magnets cooled by a space heritage mechanical cryocooler rather than cryogenic liquids - a major step towards moving this 50-year-old technology from the laboratory to space. This work complements Hēki, our experiment heading to the International Space Station in early 2025. Hēki will move HTS magnets and their power supplies into the space-proven category. More to come on that soon! For anyone attending the International Electric Propulsion Conference, IEPC, in Toulouse next week, please look for the talk by Jakub Głowacki, Jamal Olatunji, or Ben Mallett to hear more about our research! https://lnkd.in/eNPZy52s #superconductivity #spaceresearch #ISS #Paihau–Robinson–Research–Institute #ElectricPropulsion

Today, the space research team at Paihau-Robinson Research Institute operated Kōkako, our Applied Field - Magnetoplasma Dynamic (AF-MPD) electric propulsion thruster, with a 1.25 Tesla magnetic field! The field is produced by a high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet built just a few metres from our test chamber. We believe this is the highest-field AF-MPD system ever operated. It was done using HTS magnets cooled by a space heritage mechanical cryocooler rather than cryogenic liquids - a major step towards moving this 50-year-old technology from the laboratory to space. This work complements Hēki, our experiment heading to the International Space Station in early 2025. Hēki will move HTS magnets and their power supplies into the space-proven category. More to come on that soon! For anyone attending the International Electric Propulsion Conference, IEPC, in Toulouse next week, please look for the talk by Jakub Głowacki, Jamal Olatunji, or Ben Mallett to hear more about our research! https://lnkd.in/eNPZy52s #superconductivity #spaceresearch #ISS #Paihau–Robinson–Research–Institute #ElectricPropulsion

We are delighted to spotlight Dr. Arya Ambadiyil Soman's inspiring journey in engineering. Arya exemplifies dedication and scientific zeal from her foundational work at the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics in India to her significant contributions at New Zealand's Robinson Research Institute. Overcoming the challenges of international relocation and balancing family commitments, Arya achieved a PhD, exploring the complex relationship between material microstructure and the performance of high-temperature superconductors. Her pioneering research, supported by a Victoria Doctoral scholarship, has led to notable publications and her current role as a post-doctoral research fellow. Let's celebrate Dr. Ambadiyil Soman's accomplishments and her ongoing contributions to the world of superconductivity. Dive into her full story to see how her efforts are revolutionising technological applications. You can read Arya's full profile here: https://lnkd.in/gfvCUhim  #WomenInSTEM #Superconductivity #EngineeringResearch [Link to the full story]

Our new introduction video is available. It gives you a 1.5-minute quick view of what we do and why working and studying here is fun and rewarding. As Professor Rod Badcock said, "We offer a platform to grow and soar beyond your wildest dreams." #superconductivity #spacereseach #materialsscience #VUW https://lnkd.in/gcs3qr6V

Celestial Tango: Mapping Earth’s Heat from Space with two satellites, each the size of a shoebox. The Paihau–Robinson Research Institute sponsored the PREFIRE satellite launch lecture at Victoria University of Wellington. This event featured insights into how NASA’s Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE) is revolutionising our understanding of Earth’s warming polar regions. PREFIRE is a game-changer, employing novel instruments to measure and track the energy exchanges between Earth and space. With two small satellites, these instruments perform a celestial tango, mapping changes in Earth’s heat emissions with unprecedented accuracy. By systematically measuring Earth’s heat emissions, PREFIRE enhances our ability to monitor climate changes, particularly in polar regions. These insights are crucial for predicting weather patterns and understanding the broader impacts of global warming. Dr Brian Drouin is from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is the deputy manager for the Earth Science section there. New Zealand-born atmospheric scientist Hamish Prince is in the US on an MBIE-funded Fullbright scholarship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They are both pivotal figures in this mission and share their expertise on the instrument design, mission profile, and scientific significance of PREFIRE. Their dedication and innovation pave the way for more accurate climate data and better-informed environmental policies. Look at the short video where Dr Brian Drouin explains the importance of the PREFIRE twin satellites. #ClimateScience #PREFIRE #NASA #EarthObservation #CelestialTango #VictoriaUniversity #RocketLab #ResearchInnovation #Sustainability #GlobalWarming #JPL #MBIE https://lnkd.in/gYWgFiyt

We partnered with The MacDiarmid Institute for the latest NZ Cleantech Mission report. The report highlights the tremendous potential of New Zealand's fast-growing Cleantech sector, positioning it as a future high-value export earner. Speaking at the launch of the NZ Cleantech Report at Parliament on 22 May, sustainable silica and lithium company Geo40 Limited Managing Director and CEO John Worth said that the report surveyed 135 companies and found the Cleantech sector showed great potential. "This report shows the emergence of a group of New Zealand start-up companies that are developing high-value clean technology solutions that have significant potential global reach." The Paihau–Robinson Research Institute is committed to providing cutting-edge research and collaborating with the Cleantech sector to foster innovation and support the flourishing of Cleantech spin-offs. By leveraging our world-class scientific and engineering talent, we're helping to shape a sustainable and prosperous future for New Zealand and beyond. Together, let's drive the Cleantech revolution forward! #Cleantech #Innovation #Sustainability #Research #NZCleantechMission