Industry Applications of Superconducting Technology

The practical application of superconducting devices first emerged in the medical field in the 1980s. Following the discovery of high-temperature superconductors in 1986, research and development expanded across diverse domains to realize practical applications. Nevertheless, progress toward commercialization remained limited, as numerous technical challenges continued to impede widespread implementation. Significant advances in superconducting technology have occurred in recent years. The construction of Chuo Shinkansen using superconducting maglev systems exemplifies progress in large-scale applications, while increasing interest in fusion energy has accelerated the development and testing of high-temperature superconducting coils for plasma magnetic confinement. Coupled with the increased availability of high-temperature superconducting wires, these achievements have strengthened expectations for the broader practical deployment of superconducting devices across diverse industrial and scientific domains. In the industrial sector, superconducting technology has been applied not only to magnets for silicon single-crystal pulling equipment, which has long been established in practical use, but also to a range of other devices. Although several superconducting systems have been introduced into factories and related facilities, their deployment remains limited, and widespread adoption has still not been achieved. This paper reviews superconducting equipment and systems that have undergone research, development, and practical implementation. It centers industrial applications, specifically the core technologies required for device development. Excluding the medical and transportation fields, the discussion focuses on factory and plant use, highlighting unresolved challenges and future prospects for the practical deployment of superconducting technology.