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Gravity Probe B demonstrates Einstein theory

A high-powered team of physicists and engineers has concluded that NASA’s $700 million Gravity Probe B (GP-B) experiment demonstrated two key aspects of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, but not to the hoped-for degree of confidence.

Particle accelerators applications include baby diapers

In symmetry, Elizabeth Clements reports on one of the myriad, yet surprising, applications for particle accelerators: baby diapers!

KEK Director General assesses earthquake damage, tells repair plans

Atsuto Suzuki, Director General at KEK, the Japanese high energy accelerator research organization, reported on damage caused by the recent earthquake and recovery prospects in his “DG’s Corner” column: First of all, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the messages of concern, sympathy and encouragement that we...

Superconductivity pioneer Paul Chu featured in exhibit

Superconductivity Pioneer Paul Chu was featured in an unusual exhibit in Texas. A white lab coat and a pair of worn sneakers are almost standard-issue items for a research facility, but they don't seem to rise to the rank of museum exhibit. Yet, that’s exactly where you can find one...

Paul Chu expected more progress by now

Superconductivity pioneer Dr. Paul Chu expected faster progress since his discoveries, he told Cold Facts Editor Theresa Boehl in a recent brief interview. Cold Facts: Did you have any idea of the potential impact of superconductivity when you were doing your groundbreaking research years ago? Chu: Yes, I think I...

Mathias Kläui Wins Kurti Science Prize

Oxford Instruments NanoScience announced that Professor Mathias Kläui from the SwissFEL, Paul Scherrer Institut and the Laboratory of Nanomagnetism and Spin Dynamics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, is the 2011 recipient of the Nicholas Kurti European Science Prize.

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

Magnetic Levitation

From http://www.superconductors.org. Magnetic-levitation is an application where superconductors perform extremely well. Transport vehicles such as trains can be made to “float” on strong superconducting magnets, virtually eliminating friction between the train and its tracks. Not only would conventional electromagnets waste much of the electrical energy as heat, they would have...

Superconductivity

From Superpower website. History of Superconductivity Superconductivity was discovered in 1911 by the Dutch physicist, Heike Kammerlingh Onnes when he was able to liquefy helium by cooling it to 4 Kelvin, or -452°F. This enabled him to cool other materials close to absolute zero and investigate their electrical properties. He...

Medical Applications of Cryogenics

Neutron Therapy Cryogenics is at the heart of nuclear accelerators. Accelerators such as Fermilab’s Tevatron make neutron therapy for cancer possible. From Fermilab Today 4/20/09: Fermilab currently offers neutron therapy. But staff at Fermilab designed and built the proton accelerator used by the nation’s first hospital-based treatment center to use...

Nuclear Physics

Al Zeller National Superconducting Cyclotron Lab (NSCL) at Michigan State University zeller@nscl.msu.edu Cryogenics has a long history in nuclear physics. The technology has its origins in the use of cold traps for maintaining a vacuum, which is required to prevent beam loss and for generating high voltages used in acceleration....

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