Cold Facts Digital – The go-to place for Cryogenics and Superconductivity

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) are launching a two-year initiative to design a next-generation radio telescope with capabilities far beyond existing observatories. Building on the success of the NSF’s Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), the proposed array—called the next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA)—will feature over 200 antennas spanning the US desert southwest and northern Mexico. This facility aims to advance our understanding of planets, galaxies, black holes, and fundamental physics. Credit: Bill Saxton, NRAO/AUI/NSF

NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory and RIX Industries Join Forces to Revolutionize Cryogenic Cooling for the ngVLA Project

by RIX Industries Communications Team In a groundbreaking collaboration that could change the landscape of both scientific discovery and cryogenic technology, the U.S. National Science Foundation’s National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) has teamed up with RIX Industries to develop cutting-edge cryogenic cooling solutions for the Next Generation Very Large...

A high precision accelerator cryomodule produced by Meyer Tool for use in a particle accelerator at Brookhaven National Lab. MTM’s fabrication expertise is trusted by national labs and quantum technology firms worldwide. Credit: Meyer Tool & Manufacturing, Inc.

Meyer Tool Builds the Impossible, Empowering Illinois Manufacturing

by Christian Cunningham, Meyer Tool & Manufacturing Inc. Meyer Tool & Manufacturing, Inc., a long-standing leader in cryogenic, pressure and vacuum technologies, has reached a major milestone in its growth journey. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) recently approved the company for participation in the Manufacturing Illinois...

Figure 1: An artist's rendering of the COSI satellite. Credit: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Goddard Goings

An insight into past, present and future cryogenic missions where the Cryogenics and Fluids Branch at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center had or has a significant role. by Mark Kimball, Ph.D., Cryogenics and Fluids Branch, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Readers of this column may recall last year’s recounting of...

The LOXSAT payload undergoes environmental control testing at the Kennedy Space Center’s EMI Lab in November 2024. Credit: Eta Space

Eta Space Progresses Cryogenic Fluid Management Technology in Space, Energy and Beyond

by Leah Sudhir, Eta Space Eta Space is at the forefront of cryogenic fluid management (CFM) technology for the aerospace industry, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and expanding its customer base. Founded by Dr. William “Bill” Notardonato, who brings over 30 years of experience from NASA, the company has...

A line-up of product family members, showing the different chassis sizes, as well as illustrating the modular integration of multiple cooling stages for ultralow temperature applications. Credit: Danaher Cryogenics

Danaher’s Acquisition of ADR Cryostat Line Pioneers the Future of Cryogenic Technology

by Charlie Danaher, Danaher Cryogenics, President In December, Danaher Cryogenics marked a significant milestone by completing the acquisition of the adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) Cryostat product line from FormFactor. Originally developed by FormFactor’s subsidiary, High Precision Devices (HPD), the ADR product line has garnered a strong reputation among researchers and...

These images show the various stages of the assembly of the flat bottom tank LNG. Credit: Cryospain

Cryospain’s Flat-Bottom Tank Project in Morocco is a Step Forward for LNG

by Cryospain Communications Team As the global energy sector shifts toward more sustainable sources, liquefied natural gas (LNG) has emerged as a key transitional fuel. Its cleaner-burning profile, abundant supply and versatility position it as a bridge between fossil fuels and renewables. In this evolving landscape, Cryospain, a leader in...

Latest in Defining Cryogenics

Dewar

A dewar is a type of cryostat named after Sir James Dewar, the researcher who first developed the concept of a vacuum insulated container with silvered walls to reflect thermal radiation. Dewar was the first to liquefy hydrogen, and he created the device to store his discovery. The thermos bottle...

Stirling and Gifford-McMahon Cryocoolers

Stirling and Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocoolers are two of the most commonly used cryocoolers in cryogenics. Both devices have a significant industrial base and operate at a wide range of temperatures and capacities. The thermodynamic cycles for both of these cryocoolers are quite similar. The Stirling cycle consists of a compressor,...

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

A significant commercial application of cryogenics is the liquefaction, transport and storage of natural gas. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is generally 95 percent methane with a few percent ethane and much lower concentrations of propane and butane. LNG liquefies at 111.6 K. Unlike many applications of cryogenics, the motivation for...

Latest in Cryo Central

Wind Tunnels

Dr. Robert Kilgore The development of the cryogenic wind tunnel is one of many significant breakthroughs in both cryogenics and wind-tunnel technology made during the past millennium. Interest in the development of high-speed commercial and military aircraft resulted in a review of problems of flow simulation in transonic wind tunnels...

History of Cryogenics

From the Fall 1999 issue of Cold Facts magazine Millennium Breakthroughs A variety of CSA members give different perspectives on the past millennium: What were the most significant breakthroughs in cryogenics during the past millennium? Prof. R.G. Scurlock, Kryos Technology, scurlock@soton.ac.uk (“Breakthrough” = way through obstacles — Oxford English Dictionary)...

Cryobiology

Andreas Sputtek Past President Society for Cryobiology sputtek@uke.uni-hamburg.de or http://www.sputtek.de/. The word cryobiology (from the Greek words “cryo” = cold, “bios” = life, and “logos” = science) literally signifies the science of life at low temperatures. In practice, this field comprises the study of any biological material or system (e.g.,...

Cryogenic Insulation

James E. Fesmire Cryogenics Test Laboratory NASA Kennedy Space Center james.e.fesmire@nasa.gov Introduction In today’s world, the use of cryogenics and low-temperature refrigeration is taking a more and more significant role. From the food industry, transportation, energy, and medical applications to the Space Shuttle, cryogenic liquids must be stored, handled, and...

Latest in Ask the Experts

An Issue of Pressure and Flow Rate in a Supply Tank

Please help solve this problem: A supply tank requires a vaporizer to generate sufficient pressure to pump stored fluid up into a vehicle or tank. The available head is limited as the tank level falls and it is important to minimize the system pressure drop to maintain the desired flow...

Using MLI on VJ Line Joints or Cryo Storage Tanks

When installing Multi Layer Insulation (MLI) blankets on VJ line joints or cryo storage tanks should they be wrapped and tied down tight or loose? These are usually pre-cut to size. Also should they have an access hole at the point of where the molecular sieve is installed to help...

Separated layers of ice over a pipe

I want to know that why there are different layers of ice over a pipe carrying a cryogenic fluid, each layer separated with clear marks / lines? What do these layers signify?

Using nitrogen as a cryogen

Is it possible to achieve -200˚C using nitrogen as a cryogen?

CATEGORIES