Airbus and Toshiba collaborate on superconducting motor

According to Airbus, hydrogen-powered aircraft are seen as a promising solution to decarbonising the aviation sector and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Superconducting technologies offer an advantage for these aircraft as they use -253°C liquid hydrogen as a fuel and as a coolant for electric propulsion systems. Cryogenic technology could allow for a nearly unimpaired power transmission within the electric systems of the aircraft, thereby improving their energy efficiency and performance. 

In a statement, Dr Grzegorz Ombach, Airbus senior vice president and head of disruptive R&T, said: “Partnering with Toshiba presents a unique opportunity to push beyond the limitations of today’s partial superconducting and conventional electrical motors. Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver a breakthrough technology that could unlock new design possibilities, in particular for Airbus' future hydrogen-powered aircraft. This partnership represents a natural and essential step in advancing superconducting motor technology to meet the needs of the aerospace industry.” 

Airbus said it has spent a decade de-risking superconducting technologies. Recently, Airbus UpNext launched Cryoprop, a demonstrator to test a 2MW class superconducting electric propulsion system.

Toshiba has been conducting research and development of superconducting technology applications for nearly half a century and released its own 2MW class superconductivity motor prototype for mobility applications in June 2022.

“Toshiba’s expertise in superconducting technology for high current flow, motor drive technology for precise current control, and advanced rotating machinery technology for stable, high-speed operation, forms a strong foundation for this partnership,” said Tsutomu Takeuchi, Toshiba’s corporate officer, responsible for the corporation’s Power Systems business, and director of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation.

“We both recognise the tremendous potential of superconducting technologies in shaping the future of aircraft and driving the decarbonisation of the aviation industry. We are confident that our collaboration with Airbus will play a key role in advancing next-generation technologies for the aerospace sector.”