Revolutionizing High-Field Science: China's 35.6 Tesla Milestone

Chinese researchers have shattered previous benchmarks by developing the world's strongest all-superconducting user magnet, generating a steady central magnetic field of 35.6 teslas (T) with a usable aperture of 35 millimeters. This breakthrough, announced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on January 27, 2026, marks a pivotal advancement in superconducting magnet technology. Unlike hybrid magnets that combine superconducting and resistive elements, this fully superconducting design offers unprecedented stability and efficiency for experimental use, enabling scientists to probe materials under extreme conditions previously inaccessible.

The Steady High Magnetic Field Facility (SHMFF) at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS), part of CAS, led the effort. Located in Anhui Province, this facility has become a global hub for high-magnetic-field research, closely collaborating with nearby institutions like the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). Such synergies underscore China's integrated approach to higher education and cutting-edge research, fostering environments where students and faculty tackle grand challenges in physics.

Understanding Superconducting Magnets: From Basics to Breakthroughs

Superconducting magnets operate by passing electric current through materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance below a critical temperature, typically achieved using liquid helium cooling at around 4.2 Kelvin. Traditional low-temperature superconductors like niobium-titanium (NbTi) and niobium-tin (Nb3Sn) power most MRI machines and particle accelerators, but they reach field limits around 20 T due to material constraints.

The game-changer here is high-temperature superconductors (HTS), particularly REBCO (rare-earth barium copper oxide) tapes. These operate at higher temperatures (up to 20-30 K with liquid nitrogen cooling) and withstand stronger fields. The 35.6 T magnet leverages REBCO in a no-insulation winding configuration, where layers of tape are stacked without traditional insulators. This technique, pioneered in recent years, enhances current-sharing across layers, preventing hotspots during quenches (sudden loss of superconductivity) and allowing ultra-high current densities over 1,000 A/mm².

This innovation addresses key challenges: electromagnetic stresses exceeding 1 GPa, thermal management during ramp-up (from 0 to full field in hours), and mechanical stability under Lorentz forces that could deform coils.

The Engineering Feat: Design and Testing

Building the magnet involved coaxial nesting of multiple REBCO pancake coils—flat, disc-like windings stacked to form solenoids. Each pancake uses domestically produced REBCO tapes, approximately 4-12 mm wide, coated on Hastelloy substrates for strength. The no-insulation approach creates a self-stabilizing system: if one section warms, current redistributes radially, avoiding destructive quenches seen in insulated designs.

Testing occurred at SHMFF's experimental platform. The magnet ramped to 35.6 T steadily, peaking momentarily at higher fields during transients, with a bore large enough for user samples. Power consumption was optimized to around 30-40 MW equivalent in cooling, far less than resistive magnets requiring gigawatts.

• Central field: 35.6 T steady-state
• Bore diameter: 35 mm (user-friendly for experiments)
• Cooling: Liquid helium/nitrogen hybrid
• Ramp rate: Controlled to minimize eddy currents
• Stability: <0.1% fluctuation over hours

Step-by-step process: 1) Wind REBCO tapes into pancakes with low-resistance joints; 2) Stack and reinforce with carbon fiber overbands; 3) Assemble in Dewar cryostat; 4) Cool gradually to avoid thermal stresses; 5) Ramp current slowly while monitoring strain gauges and voltage taps; 6) Stabilize at peak field for user access.

Key Players: Researchers and Institutions Driving Innovation

Teams from HFIPS's High Magnetic Field Laboratory (HMFL), led by experts like Kuang Guangli and Jiang Donghui, spearheaded development. These researchers, many holding dual roles as professors at USTC, bridge lab and academia. USTC's physics department provides talent pipeline, with graduate students contributing to coil fabrication and testing.

CAS's broader ecosystem, including the Institute of Plasma Physics (ASIPP), supports fusion applications. This collaboration exemplifies China's 'talent-focused' higher education model, where national labs and universities co-publish in top journals like Nature and Superconductor Science and Technology.

Context Among Global Records: Where 35.6 T Fits

This 35.6 T surpasses prior all-superconducting records, closing the gap with hybrids while offering quieter, more efficient operation for prolonged experiments.

Photo by Eric Prouzet on Unsplash

REBCO Tapes: The Heart of High-Field Progress

REBCO tapes, with critical current densities >500 A/mm² at 20 T and 4.2 K, enable compact designs. Chinese firms like Shanghai Superconductor supply these, reducing reliance on imports. Challenges overcome: tape defects causing premature quenches, addressed via quality control and NI winding.

In higher education, USTC labs train students in REBCO characterization, preparing them for faculty positions in materials science.

Transformative Applications in Research

High fields reveal quantum phenomena: topological insulators, heavy fermions, high-Tc superconductivity mechanisms. Users can study:

• Quantum phase transitions under pressure + field
• Spin liquids in frustrated magnets
• Novel battery materials via magnetocaloric effects

In condensed matter physics, a staple at Chinese universities, this magnet accelerates discoveries publishable in elite journals.

Fusion Energy Horizons and Medical Advances

For fusion, stronger fields shrink tokamaks: CFETR targets 6-12 T, but 35 T demos pave for SPARC-like high-field devices. MRI could leap to 14 T whole-body scanners for finer brain imaging. Quantum computing benefits from uniform fields for qubit control.

Global Times coverage highlights industrial ripple effects.

China's Strategic Push in Magnetics and Higher Ed

From 45.22 T hybrid in 2022 to this, China invests billions in SHMFF upgrades. This bolsters 'Double First-Class' universities like USTC, attracting global talent. International collaborations grow, but US export controls spur domestic innovation.

Stakeholders: Scientists praise efficiency; policymakers eye tech sovereignty; educators see job boom in physics PhDs.

Career Opportunities in Superconducting Research

This breakthrough signals surging demand for experts. China higher ed jobs abound at USTC, HFIPS: postdocs, lecturers in superconductivity. Craft your academic CV to join.

Photo by Emma Lau on Unsplash

• Postdoc roles: REBCO modeling
• Faculty: High-field experiments
• Industry: Fusion startups

Looking Ahead: 40 T and Beyond

Next: 40 T all-SC by 2028, integrating advanced overbands and AI-optimized windings. Global race heats up, with implications for Nobel-worthy discoveries.

In summary, this 35.6 tesla superconducting magnet breakthrough positions China—and its universities—at the forefront. Aspiring researchers, check Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, career advice, and university jobs to engage with this exciting field.