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Episode Description
At the Robinson Research Institute in Wellington, researchers are developing powerful superconducting magnets for space, fusion and MRI applications. Claire Concannon visits the labs to learn about a small magnet’s trip to the International Space Station, and how much bigger magnets are powering nuclear fusion research. She also meets the team working on a hydrogen-based way to make iron from New Zealand iron sand, removing carbon dioxide emissions from the first step of steelmaking.
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In this episode:
(00:00) Professor Nick Long on watching the Hēki magnet arrive at the International Space Station
(04:20) Dr Nick Strickland on making superconducting magnets robust and useful
(08:38) Fusion magnets and future research questions for Open Star Technologies
(11:05) Professor Chris Bumby on why steelmaking produces carbon dioxide
(15:20) Ben Rumsey on hydrogen reactors and producing direct reduced iron
(19:50) Cullbeck Limited and plans to scale up the process
(23:10) How the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology works…