Exploring the scalability of accumulative roll bonding nanolaminates for pulsed electromagnets by substituting an interstitial free steel for niobium

Abstract: Copper-niobium nanolaminates are promising materials for high-strength electromagnets due to their exceptional tensile strength while maintaining high electrical conductivity. These materials can be produced industrially using the accumulative roll bonding (ARB) process. However, scaling these nanolaminates for fusion generator applications is challenging due to the cost and limited availability of niobium. This project assessed interstitial-free (IF) steel as a lower-cost alternative to niobium in ARB nanolaminates produced at both laboratory and industrial scales. Careful annealing was needed to manage the strength differential between Cu-IF steel and Cu-Nb, resulting in stable nanoscale layers. Additionally, the resulting mechanical and electrical properties were slightly reduced, suggesting that Cu-IF steel is a viable option for certain electromagnet applications, though niobium remains preferable for maximum performance.

This event is sponsored by FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Taylor Jacobs, Ph.D.

Senior Materials Engineer

Helion Energy

Speaker Bio: Dr. Taylor Roth Jacobs is a Senior Materials Engineer at Helion Energy in Everett, Washington. He earned his Ph.D. in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, where his research focused on deformation mechanisms and fracturing behavior in structural alloys. Before joining Helion, Dr. Jacobs held research positions at Los Alamos National Laboratory and worked as an engineer at Blue Origin. His expertise spans mechanical behavior of metals, defect characterization, and materials performance in extreme environments. In this seminar, Dr. Jacobs will discuss insights from his work on nanostructured strengthening in Cu- Fe and Nb-based systems.