To get electric passenger planes in the skies requires powerful electric motors, but they must also be small and light. Some kiwi scientists think they could have a solution. Claire Concannon heads to a warehouse in Petone to learn about the promise of high temperature superconducting magnets to make electric motors for airplanes.

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In this episode:

00:00 - Where are our electric planes?

01:00 - The challenge of aviation electrification.

02:48 - The history of the Robinson Research Institute and useful properties of superconductors.

07:00 - The establishment of the New Zealand Institute of Advanced Technology

08:30 - The advantage of superconducting motors for aviation.

11:15 - Airbus’ plans for a future electric plane

12:05 - Warehouse tour and levitation bearings for future motors

14:04 - Basic motor design and characterising AC losses in superconductors.

21:26 - Testing a superconducting generator with Air New Zealand…

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details