Cold Facts Digital – Page 63 – The go-to place for Cryogenics and Superconductivity

Cryogenics, the science of very low temperatures, is used in various energy-related applications, including energy storage and power generation. Credit: Alfa Laval

Alfa Laval: Cryogenic Energy to Support Decarbonization

Alfa Laval has taken a strategic leap in advancing clean energy solutions with the acquisition of Fives Energy Cryogenics, a move that strengthens its role in the global shift to sustainable energy systems. This acquisition not only enhances Alfa Laval’s technological portfolio but also reinforces its long-standing commitment to decarbonization, energy efficiency and...

Angel Wileman Named One of Women in Hydrogen 50 for 2025

The Women’s Global Leadership Conference (WGLC) in Energy has selected Angel Wileman of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) as one of the 2025 “Women in Hydrogen 50,” recognizing her as a current and future leader in the hydrogen economy. This international list honors 50 women who are helping shape a more...

Designing Cryogenic Piping Systems for the Demands of Modern Life Science Labs

As life science facilities become more advanced and specialized, the infrastructure behind them must evolve to meet increasing demands for efficiency, precision, and cost-effectiveness. Technifab Products, Inc., in partnership with CryoWorks, is leading the way in cryogenic piping solutions for the biotech, pharmaceutical, and research sectors—supporting applications ranging from cryosurgery...

Quantum Design Signs Agreement to Acquire NanoScience Division ofOxford Instruments

Quantum Design, a leading developer of cryogenic measurement systems based in San Diego, California, has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the NanoScience Division of Oxford Instruments. Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, NanoScience is a global innovator in ultra-low-temperature cryogenic instrumentation. The acquisition, expected to close by the end of...

Stainless VJP Enable Cryogenic Liquid Supply Chains in Space and on Earth

A Soyuz rocket launches to the International Space Station with Expedition 73 crew members including NASA astronaut Jonny Kim on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo ©NASA/Joel Kowsky What do space exploration and the Hydrogen Economy have in common? A need to transport large volumes...

Google and Commonwealth Fusion Systems Sign Strategic Partnership

Credit: Commonwealth Fusion Systems Google and Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) today announced a new global milestone, a bold partnership to develop, deploy and scale clean, secure fusion power. Google signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity from CFS’ inaugural ARC power plant, which CFS expects...

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

Power usage: cryogenic systems vs. regular refrigerators

A recent project highlighted to me that closed cycle cryogenic cooling systems use far more electrical power to reduce temperatures by a few watts than regular refrigerators. I am sure it must be something to do with the extra difficulty of removing the heat from the liquid nitrogen or similar...

Redundancy strategies for mechanical -80C freezers

I was wondering what kind of redundancy strategies are people using for their mechanical -80C freezers? I am aware of the following. Please add if you are doing something different. 1) 1 Backup freezer for every 10 freezers – Empty and maintained at -80C at all times 2) Backup C02...

Safety guidelines for handling cryo vessels of nitrogen

I am looking for any safety guidelines for handling cryogenic vessels of nitrogen indoors and outdoors. I am especially interested in recommendations for area monitors to detect leaks, flow detection devices, etc.

Method to move components in a cryogenic environment

Does anyone know of a method with which to reliably move components in a cryogenic environment? We are interested in moving detectors in a cryogenically cooled (2K) vacuum chamber, which is contained within a larger cryostat/isolation vacuum with thermal shields. As the desired horizontal or vertical displacement is between 10...

CATEGORIES