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                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
of American Superconductor Corporation on Form S-8 (File Nos. 33-44962,
33-44963, 33-64832, 33-74418, 33-86106 and 33-86108) of our report dated May 9,
1997, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of American
Superconductor Corporation as of March 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the
three years in the period ended March 31, 1997, which report is included in the
Form 10-K of American Superconductor Corporation.


                                      /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
                                      COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Boston, Massachusetts
June 27, 1997