ICMC will offer a Short Courses at CEC/ICMC 2019 on Sunday, July 21, at the Connecticut Convention Center as outlined below. Registration for ICMC Short Course can be done through the CEC/ICMC’19 registration website as an optional item.

The purpose of this short course series is to offer several brief lecture/discussion periods on topics thought to be of interest to students and young professionals working in the areas of cryogenic materials and devices.  The instructors have special interests and knowledge/experience in the topic discussions they will lead.

Instructors: L. Cooley, T. Shen, D. Evans, B. Walsh, L. Graber, E. Hellstrom, K. T. Hartwig

Date: Sunday, July 21, 2019
Location: Room 22
Registration and Continental Breakfast:
7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
ICMC Short Course: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Boxed Lunch (included in course fee): 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
ICMC Short Course continues: 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Short Course Fee: $25/students; $125/non-students

Registration for ICMC Short Course can be done through the CEC/ICMC’19 registration website as an optional item.


Lance Cooley, Florida State University / NHMFL-ASC, Tallahassee, Florida

Title: “Conductors, flux pinning, and critical current”

Abstract: This segment is an introduction to superconductivity for applications, with focus on conductors for magnets. Topics include processing techniques used to make conductors, basic principles that affect flux pinning and transport current, connections between microstructure and observed properties, and characterization techniques for structure and properties. The segment intends to provide foundations for engineering magnets and other high-current and high-field applications.


Tengming Shen, Accelerator Technology and Applied Physics Division, LBNL, Berkeley, California

Title: “Conductor and stress management in superconducting magnets”

Abstract: We will learn about superconducting wires used in the high-field superconducting magnets, cables made from them, their practical field, current, and mechanical limits, and how these limits impact designs and operations of superconducting magnets. Two case studies of stress analysis and approaches of force and stress management for superconducting magnets will be given. One is the 12-T class cosine-theta Nb3Sn accelerator quadrupole magnets that are a core technology for the incoming high-luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider, and the other is high field (>20 T) solenoids with insert coils made of high-temperature superconductors with and without a quench.


Dave Evans, Advanced Cryogenic Materials Ltd., England

Title: “Selection and Application of Epoxy Resins – Some Practical Aspects”

Abstract: There is a large range of resins available, in many different forms, from which to select a material that can be used to suit a number of low temperature applications. The range of available resins includes hot curing, low viscosity, long useable life materials suitable for vacuum impregnation of magnet systems or other structures. Ohere resin / hardener combinations can be cured at room temperature with the opportunity to vary the useable life from several hours to a few tens of minutes, or less. Resins may be loaded with different mineral fillers to modify thermal contraction integrals or, with careful selection of type and particle size, improve the thermal conductivity at low temperatures.   The presentation will include a discussion of pre-impregnated fabrics (pre-pregs) and structural adhesives in film form.  Specialized requirements such as the stability towards ionizing radiation and the selection of reinforcing fabrics will also be discussed in relation to radiation, mechanical and thermal properties.


Bob Walsh, Materials Development and Characterization Group, NHMFL, Tallahassee, Florida

Title: “Cryogenic Structural Materials Properties and Test Methods”

Abstract: Superconducting magnets and machinery that operate at cryogenic temperatures place challenging demands on material performance. Since cryogenic equipment is a small share of the industrial market we often design and construct using commercially available materials that were not originally intended for cryogenic use. Machine design utilizing these materials relies on available data and historical experience. The published proceedings for the CEC/ICMC conferences are one of the main resources for cryogenic materials research reporting. This class covers the common materials used at cryogenic temperatures, the effect that temperature has on their properties and where to look for data. We will also cover the types of tests and test methods used to generate materials property data.


Lukas Graber, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Title: “Cryogenic Power Electronics – An Enabler for Cryogenic Power Distribution”

Abstract: Cryogenic power distribution systems with their superconducting generators, motors, fault current limiters, and cables promise higher power densities than their conventional counterparts. It seems only logical to operate power electronic apparatus such as rectifiers and inverters at cryogenic temperature, too. While this sounds intuitive, the design and operation of power electronics at such low temperatures comes with new challenges. In this course we will look into these challenges and discuss solutions how to overcome them. This includes system level, electronic, thermal, and mechanical aspects.


Eric Hellstrom: Florida State University / NHMFL-ASC, Tallahassee, Florida

Title: “Giving a Top 10% Technical Talk”

Abstract: This talk will discuss and demonstrate what it takes to give a top 10% talk on a technical subject. Typically, technical talks use something equivalent to PowerPoint slides. An important key to creating and presenting an effective talk is to know what message you want the audience to take away from your presentation and then design each slide to convey a specific part of your message. This talk will show how to create slides, tables, and figures that quickly convey your message and are easy for your audience to understand.   


K. Ted Hartwig, Materials Science & Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Title: “Technical Writing Part II – How to Write Good Papers”

Abstract: Young technical writers often struggle with how to write a good journal paper. Common problems include organization, choosing an appropriate journal, creating the title, abstract content, what literature to cite, differentiating what goes in the results and discussion sections, and formulating conclusions. What do you struggle with? (Collect comments from the audience.) A multitude of approaches work to facilitate this chore of creating good journal papers.  This morning, time permitting, we will discuss paper organization, journal selection, titles, the introduction, the procedures, and the results and discussion sections – adjusted by audience feedback. The expected outcome: increased motivation to write better, and questions.