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

Argonne scientists shed light on mechanism behind superinsulation

From the Argonne National Laboratory press room: Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have discovered the microscopic mechanism behind the phenomenon of superinsulation, the ability of certain materials to completely block the flow of electric current at low temperatures.

From physicsworld.com, “Atomic spins measure ultracold temperatures”

Physicists in the US have developed a new kind of thermometer that can measure down to as low as one billionth of a degree above absolute zero and has the potential to reach just a few trillionths of a degree.

CDMS results may not be dark matter

In December of last year, the CDMS-II team came across possible evidence of dark matter, though what they think may be weakly interacting mass particles, or WIMPS, may also just be background noise.

Researchers to test new superconductor material, BSCCO2212

Materials scientists, physicists, magnet experts and engineers from seven institutions have come together on the "Very High Field Superconducting Magnet Collaboration" to test a new superconducting material, BSCCO2212.

NASA’s WISE to include Lockheed Martin cryostat

A dual-stage cryostat built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Advanced Technology Center, Palo Alto CA, is onboard NASA's Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, which launched on December 14, 2009.

Daniel P. McGahn named AMSC President and Chief Operating Officer

American Superconductor Corporation has named Daniel P. McGahn President and Chief Operating Officer.

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

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...

Cryogenic Treatment of Materials

F.J. Diekman Controlled Thermal Processing, Inc. info@metal-wear.com Cryogenic Processing (also called cryogenic treatment, and incorrectly “cryogenic tempering”) is a process that uses cryogenic temperatures to modify materials to enhance their performance. Cryogenic Processing involves the slow reduction in temperature of the material to at least -300°F (-185°C) and holding the...

Latest in Ask the Experts

Refrigeration capacity at 4.5 K for higher temp cryo systems

I would like to know how to calculate the equivalent refrigeration capacity at 4.5 K of a cryogenic system operating at higher temperature.

Need help with calculating flow rate

I have to maintain a certain mass (some tons) at 100 K by circulating in it GHe (through apposite channels). How can I calculate the flow rate needed? I suppose that the delta T (T inlet and T outlet) and the heat load on the mass are necessary. Knowing the...

What do cryogenics companies do about liability insurance?

What do cryogenics companies do about liability insurance? Is there a special type for cryogenics?

License requirements for storage and transport of cryogenic materials

Are you aware of permitting or license requirements (other than local city or town) needed for the storage or transportation of cryogenic materials?

CATEGORIES