Applied Superconductivity Laboratory Demonstrates 100 kW Fully Superconducting Aviation Motor
-
June 2, 2026
Researchers at the Applied Superconductivity Laboratory (ASL) have demonstrated a 100 kW fully superconducting aviation motor that could help pave the way for electric aircraft.
The prototype system represents one of the first attempts in the world to develop a fully superconducting axial-flux motor for aviation. It uses high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technology to carry very large electrical currents with almost no resistance when cooled to cryogenic temperatures of around 20 K, or -253 °C. This could allow aircraft motors to achieve much higher power density than conventional electrical machines, which is a key requirement for future hydrogen-electric and fully electric aircraft.
Engineering Challenges
Electric propulsion would drastically reduce the environmental impact of flying, but the challenge involves developing power systems that generate sufficient energy without being too heavy.
Superconducting technology offers a route to much lighter and more efficient propulsion systems, but it also brings major engineering challenges in cryogenic cooling, protection and system integration. Although termed high temperature, HTS materials still operate at cryogenic temperatures. For example, rare-earth barium copper oxide tape becomes superconducting at around 20–77 K. This is significantly warmer than conventional superconductors, which typically require cooling to around 4 K, or -269 °C, using liquid helium.
The Strathclyde team developed the motor from fundamental research through to a technological demonstrator, bringing together superconductor physics, cryogenic engineering, electromagnetic modelling and mechanical system integration.
The multidisciplinary, international Strathclyde team, comprising chemists, physicists, electrical engineers and mechanical engineers, designed the fully superconducting motor architecture, including low-AC-loss superconducting windings, novel brushless excitation and rotational cryogenic operation, in a single integrated platform.
Cryogenic Operation
The demonstrator shows that fully superconducting aviation motors are no longer just a theoretical concept. By integrating superconducting windings, brushless excitation and cryogenic operation, the team has created a platform that can help inform the next generation of megawatt-class propulsion systems.
The proof-of-concept demonstrator is part of the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) funded Zero Emissions for Sustainable Transport 1 (ZEST1) programme, led by Airbus. The ZEST1 project was recognised at the 2025 ATI Aerospace Technology Innovation Awards, where Airbus received the Shaping the Future Award for advancing zero carbon emission flight.
The demonstrator drew directly on a series of fundamental research breakthroughs developed over several years through Professor Min Zhang’s Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship, “Fully superconducting machine for zero emission aviation”, and ERC Starting Grant, “Superconducting Electrical Machines for Zero Emissions”.
Future Aircraft
The Strathclyde team says the demonstrator is an important step towards the development of future megawatt-class superconducting machines, which would be needed for larger commercial aircraft.
Aerospace companies are increasingly exploring cryogenic propulsion systems using liquid hydrogen. Because liquid hydrogen must already be stored at very low temperatures, researchers say it could create opportunities to combine fuel storage, cryogenic cooling and superconducting electrical systems on board future aircraft.
Ludovic Ybanez, Head of Cryogenic Electric Propulsion System Demonstrator at Airbus UpNext, said the Strathclyde demonstrator is an important step towards the development of future megawatt-class superconducting machines, which would be needed for larger aircraft.
The achievement bolsters Strathclyde’s position as a UK centre for superconducting power technologies. The University is home to a high-temperature superconducting facility within its Advanced Net Zero Innovation Centre, which forms part of the Superconducting Machines & Systems Catalyst. The facility provides capabilities in HTS material characterisation, coil winding and mechanical testing under cryogenic conditions.
Media Coverage
The demonstration of ASL’s 100 kW fully superconducting aviation motor has attracted attention from a range of engineering, technology and environmental publications. These articles highlighted the motor’s potential to enable lighter, higher-power propulsion systems for future hydrogen-electric and fully electric aircraft and recognised the significance of the University’s contribution to sustainable aviation technologies.
• Herald Scotland (Strathclyde University motor could be step toward electric jets) reported on the motor as a potential step towards electric aviation and highlighted the advantages of superconducting propulsion systems.
• Interesting Engineering (New 100 kW superconducting motor paves way for future electric propulsion aircraft) featured the development as a breakthrough that could support future commercial electric aircraft.
• Drives & Controls (Scottish researchers develop 100 kW superconducting motor for aircraft) highlighted the engineering innovations behind the superconducting axial-flux motor and its role in future hydrogen-electric and all-electric aircraft.
• Envirotec (Superconducting motor brings electric flight closer) focused on the contribution of the technology to future zero-emission aviation and sustainable transport.
• Electric Motor Engineering (Superconducting axial-flux motor for aviation) discussed the motor’s axial-flux architecture and the opportunities superconducting technologies create for next-generation aircraft propulsion.
• The Engineer (Strathclyde unveils superconducting motor for e-flight) presented the development as an important milestone in the advancement of electric flight technologies.
Source:
University of Strathclyde, “Strathclyde researchers demonstrate 100 kW fully superconducting aviation motor”
