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Hybrid DC circuit breaker solution based on cryogenic technique

A hybrid DC circuit breaker comprised of a cryogenic contactor in series with a superconductor has recently been developed at NASA Glenn Research Center. This circuit breaker combines mechanical and solid-state technology to meet the needs of certain DC power system applications.

Issue No. 33 of Superconductivity News Forum is online

The quarterly Issue No. 33 of the Superconductivity News Forum (SNF) dated July 2015 is now available online at the IEEE Council on Superconductivity's website. The publication of the present issue was delayed to accommodate selected presentations and preprints from the recent CEC/ICMC 2015 and ISEC 2015.

10 years since Snowmass: an ILC timeline

Ten years ago, scientists from all over the world gathered in the picturesque town of Snowmass to constitute a new global collaboration for a future particle collider called the International Linear Collider (ILC). LC Newsline has compiled a timeline showing what has happened in these 10 years since Snowmass and...

James Fesmire to present NASA webinar on use of layered thermal insulation systems

James Fesmire will present a NASA webinar this Wednesday, August 26, at 2:00 pm ET on the benefits of using layered thermal insulation systems in industrial and commercial applications.

Lydall names new chief financial officer

Scott Deakin will join Lydall, Inc. (CSA CSM) as its new executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective September 8, 2015. He was formerly executive vice president and chief financial officer at Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc.

MT24 will explore cutting-edge magnet technologies

MT24, the 24th International Conference on Magnet Technology, will take place at the Coex Center, Seoul, Korea, October 18-23. The conference, organized by The Korean Institute of Superconductivity and Cryogenics, will cover magnet technology ranging from large scale magnets to magnets for home appliances.

Latest in Defining Cryogenics

Regenerators

Regenerators or regenerative heat exchangers are a key component of cryocoolers such as pulse tube cryocoolers (Cold Facts, August 2014). Regenerator performance greatly affects the coefficient of performance of cryocoolers. Improvements in regenerator design and, in particular, regenerator materials have been an important factor in the improvement of the performance...

Pulse Tube Cryocoolers

The development of pulse tube cryocoolers has been a significant topic of research and development over the past 20 or so years. Pulse tube cryocoolers have a number of advantages over other types of cryocoolers and are now available commercially. In order to understand pulse tube cryocoolers, it’s best to...

Thermal Expansion

Thermal expansion refers to the change in size (length or volume) that a material undergoes as its temperature changes. In cryogenic systems this effect can be quite large and must be allowed for in the design. In isotropic materials, which include most engineering materials, the thermal expansion is the same...

Latest in Cryo Central

Air Separation and Liquefaction

by Nils Tellier, PE, President, EPSIM Corporation (CSA CSM) nils@epsim.us All illustrations courtesy EPSIM Corporation Background History of Air Separation and Liquefaction This section builds on a rich history of methods to develop deep refrigeration and cryogenic liquefaction during the 19th Century. You are encouraged to read Cryo Central’s History...

Bose-Einstein Condensate

A Bose-Einstein condensate, first proposed in 1925 by Albert Einstein based on work done by Satyendra Nath Bose (the same Bose from whom the term boson is derived), is a super-cold state of matter in which almost all of the individual atoms have “condensed” down to the lowest possible quantum...

Cold Technology for Pest Control

While it does not reach temperatures cold enough to be called cryogenic, carbon dioxide snow is at the heart of a new way of dealing with unwanted pests. It utilizes a quick freezing process that takes advantage of the properties of carbon dioxide snow and has a number of benefits...

Cryogenic Finishing

The following 3 articles discuss the uses and procedures of various type of cryogenic finishing. 1) By Robin A. Rhodes, Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. rrhodes@nitrofreeze.com Cryogenic Deflashing is employed to remove undesired residual mold flash that remains on molded parts after they are removed or ejected from the...

Latest in Ask the Experts

Any experience with Tungsten or Tantalum metal springs in a low temp environment?

I would like to use metal springs made of Tungsten or Tantalum in low temperature environment. Does anybody have any experience with such springs? More precisely, I would like to make compression springs by rolling tungsten or tantalum wire on a rod. I expect that, typically, the spring constant will...

Standards & specifications for pipe & tube couplings

I am interested in finding out more about cryogenic applications and what standards, specifications and test methods (ASTM, etc.) are required for qualification of pipe and tube couplings.

Looking for a test house to test the static coefficient of friction under cryogenic conditions

I am looking to find a test house that is capable of testing the static coefficient of friction under cryogenic conditions. We can be flexible on most of the test parameters, including the test coupon configuration, but we’re looking for a test house that can provide the following test environment:...

Approximating pressure changes over time in cryogenic cylinders

I am an Air Resources Engineer with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). My senior management has asked me to investigate approximating pressure changes over time in cryogenic cylinders that contain LNG. So far, I have taken a stab at the problem, seeking to take a back-of-the-envelope approach (as directed...

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