Low Density Aerogel as Thermal Insulation for Superconducting Cables

The Navy is developing several superconducting systems for use in future ships and submarines to reduce system weight, energy usage, and installed volume. These systems, such as degaussing and power distribution systems rely on superconducting wires housed in a flexible cryostat to pass current and power from one source to another. Innovative approaches are sought for the development of an improved, affordable, modular, superconducting cable assembly, including the thermal insulation system. Aspen Aerogels is proposing to design, develop and test a robust aerogel-based thermal insulation package for modular superconducting cable assemblies. Aerogel thermal insulation packages will provide a better alternative to the current state of the art insulation because they are hydrophobic, robust and easy to install. This innovation will solve current technical challenges for superconducting cable assemblies, including installation in a high-humidity, unclean shipyard environment; thermal heat loads of less than 110W for a 100 meter cable including joints and terminations; weight requirement of less than 600 lbs. for a 100 meter cable including joints and terminations; bend radius of less than 6 inches; and material cost(s) under $400/m.