Study of Second Generation High Temperature Superconductors: Electromagnetic Characteristics and AC Loss Analysis

This thesis introduces a systematic study on Second Generation (2G) High Temperature Superconductors (HTS), covering a novel design of an advanced medical imaging device using HTS, and an in-depth investigation on the losses of HTS.

The text covers the design and simulation of a superconducting Lorentz Force Electrical Impedance Tomography. This is potentially a significant medical device that is more efficient and compact than an MRI, and is capable of detecting early cancer, as well as other pathologies such stroke and internal haemorrhages. It also presents the information regarding the fundamental physics of superconductivity, concentrating on the AC losses in superconducting coils and tapes.

Overall, the thesis signifies an important contribution to the investigation of High Temperature Superconductors. This thesis will be beneficial to the development of advanced superconducting applications in healthcare as well as more broadly in electrical and energy systems.

Dr Boyang Shen received the double Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, 1st Class Honours) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Cardiff University, UK and the North China Electric Power University (NCEPU), China, in 2012. He received the Master of Science (MSc) in Nuclear Engineering from the Imperial College London, UK, in 2013. He received the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Engineering (Electrical Engineering) in 2014 and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering (Electrical Engineering) in 2018 from the University of Cambridge, UK.

Dr Shen is a Research Fellow with the Clare Hall, and a Research Associate with the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK. He is the Vice President of the Chinese Students & Scholars Association (CSSA), Cambridge, UK. He has published around 60 peer-reviewed journal articles. His research involves the electromagnetic characteristics and AC loss analysis of High Temperature Superconductors (HTS), the finite-element method for the modelling of HTS, the novel design of superconducting magnets, as well as the design of superconducting applications for electrical and energy system. 

In 2018, He was awarded the IEEE Graduate Study Fellowship in Applied Superconductivity, which is the highest prize for graduates in the superconductivity community in the world. In 2020, He was awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) Engineers Trust Young Engineer of the Year, which is one of the world highest honours for the scientists and engineers who have demonstrated excellence in the early stage of their career.