How do we test magnets at 20 K here in NJ (for reference, that’s about 10x colder than the surface of Mars)? Meet 'Big Bird'! Big Bird is our integrated test cell where we operate Eos-spec superconducting magnets at 20 K. When cooled to this temperature, these magnets act as superconductors, creating strong magnetic fields with zero resistance. In a #stellarator, these magnetic fields are what confine and control a plasma, the fuel of #fusion. The Big Bird integrated system was engineered in-house and includes all the required sub-systems for our core technology including vacuum and cryogenics, instrumentation and control, power supplies, and structures. Big Bird was designed to provide easy access for quickly swapping in Eos-spec magnets between test and final acceptance. We’ve validated our core tech and also have built our initial manufacturing line that can scale to meet rate requirements for Eos, our upcoming large-scale integrated stellarator, and then subsequent Thea Energy fusion power plants. Now onto scaling our manufacturing lines even further and building hundreds of simpler stellarator magnets!
I love the big bird sticker, lol that's awesome
Inspired by the high energy neutrino detected at the IceCube observatory?
Great seeing Big Bird and your HQ Brian Berzin!!
Thank you for including Swagelok products with The Big Bird project.
I see Big Bird in my dreams at night