Welcome
The Cryogenics' Group at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory – Florida State University performs research and development projects involving very low temperature science and technology.
“Cryogenics” refers to the science and technology of achieving very low temperatures (T < 100 K or -300 F). At these temperatures, most common gases (oxygen and nitrogen) are in the liquid or solid state.
Why is Cryogenics important to the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory?
Many magnets operate at temperatures below ambient. These mostly include superconducting magnets that need a low temperature environment to be able to carry the high electrical currents.
Other technologies outside the NHMFL that depend on cryogenics:
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NASA space program where many of the rocket fuels are cryogenic (LH2 & LO2)
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High energy physics accelerators, which also use superconducting magnets
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Detection of infrared radiation including astronomical source
Current projects that include our group:
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Liquid Helium Fluid Dynamics: This program is funded by the Department of Energy and is focused on the study of liquid helium as a coolant for large high energy physics accelerators.
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Space Cryogenics: This program is directed toward a better understanding of cryogenic fluids and systems of interest to the US space program. This experimental research into the properties of propulsion cryogens and materials is supported by NASA.
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Liquid Helium Flow Visualization Studies: In this
effort we are studying the dynamics of liquid helium using the modern fluid dynamics technique known as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV).
This work is supported by grants from the NSF and the FSU Research Foundation.
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