Researchers at a Scottish university have demonstrated a 100kW fully superconducting aviation motor that could help pave the way for an electric aircraft.
The prototype system, created by the Applied Superconductivity Laboratory (ASL) at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, represents one of the first attempts in the world to develop a fully superconducting axial-flux motor for aviation.
The motor uses high temperature superconducting (HTS) technology to carry very large electrical currents with almost no resistance when cooled to cryogenic temperatures; 20 Kelvin (K) or -253 °C.
This could allow aircraft motors to achieve much higher power density than conventional electrical machines – 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.
Professor Min Zhang, who leads the ASL at Strathclyde, said: “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 20-77K. This is significantly warmer than conventional superconductors, which typically require cooling to around 4K (-269°C) using liquid helium.
The Strathclyde team developed the motor from fundamental research through to 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
Professor Zhang said: “This demonstrator shows that fully superconducting aviation motors are no longer just a theoretical concept. By integrating superconducting windings, brushless excitation and cryogenic operation, we have 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 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’.
The Strathclyde team says it is an important step towards the development of future megawatt-class superconducting machines, which would be needed for larger commercial aircraft.
Future 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 Ybanex, head of cryogenic electric propulsion system demonstrator at Airbus UpNext, said: “The Airbus UpNext Cryoprop 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 (HTS) facility, based within its Advanced Net Zero Innovation Centre, which forms part of the Superconducting Machines & Systems Catalyst. It provides capabilities in HTS material characterisation, coil winding and mechanical testing under cryogenic conditions.