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Oxford Instruments NanoScience Joins Rigetti’s Novera QPU Partner Program

Quantum InsiderOxford Instruments NanoScience, a leading provider of cryogenic systems, announced that it has joined the Novera™ QPU Partner Program. This addition strengthens the program’s ecosystem of quantum computing hardware, software, and service providers who build and offer integral components of functional quantum computing systems.

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H2 Storage System Successfully Scaled up

AMBARtec's H2 storage systemsAMBARtec AG has successfully completed and evaluated the multi-month field test of its H2compact 100 iron oxide-based hydrogen (H2 ) storage system. The results confirm the excellent energy balance of the entire process, from H2 production to storage charging and hydrogen discharge. By an optimal system integration of a high-temperature electrolysis (SOEC), efficiencies of over 80 % can be achieved. When the conversion to electricity via a high-temperature fuel cell (SOFC) is included in the analysis, the electricity-to-electricity analysis shows unprecedented energy efficiencies of around 60 %. The results also show the high cycle stability of the iron oxide nuggets.

Multi-month field test  

Since September 2023, AMBARtec has been testing its 7.5 kg H2 storage system in full operation with hydrogen. The aim was also to optimise the plant control and find the best system configuration in terms of energy balance.  

Maximum energy efficiency: AMBARtec's storage system + SOEC
The energy balance analysis shows that the AMBARtec storage system is ideally suited for combination with a SOEC. The determined efficiency is over 80 % - a very high value compared to other H2 storage systems. This is due to the system integration of electrolysis and storage.

The H2 produced in the electrolysis process leaves at a temperature level of over 500°C, which is also required for storage - this significantly reduces the heating energy required.

The water vapor produced during the reduction of the iron oxide can be fed back into the high-temperature electrolysis. This means that water evaporation is no longer required in the electrolysis process. This greatly increases the efficiency of the electrolysis process.

Use case: Electricity storage
If the SOEC/AMBARtec storage system combination is supplemented with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), the efficiency for the entire electricity-to-electricity process is around 60%. By comparison, the efficiency of electricity-to-electricity-systems using PEM electrolysis and conventional storage systems such as liquid hydrogen, LOHC or pressurized hydrogen is less than 40%.  
Durable storage material
Examinations of the iron oxide nuggets used show the high mechanical and chemical stability of the material. There are no changes in the storage capacity or other signs of wear.  

Safety concept validated
AMBARtec has updated all tests and documents required for explosion protection. The basic plant safety concept is applicable to all storage tank sizes up to the planned 6,000 litre storage tanks and does not require any significant changes.  

Further development of the system design
The test operation also served to improve the plant control, the heating system and the flow conditions in the storage system. AMBARtec used the results to derive an optimized design and optimized operating conditions for the next generation of storage tanks.  

Outlook
AMBARtec is currently scaling up the hydrogen storage system to a volume of 1,000 litres. It has a storage capacity of 90 kg of hydrogen. Commissioning and testing will take place in the coming months. In the future, AMBARtec will integrate its 1,000-litre modules into a standard 20-foot container that can be handled and transported using standard transport logistics such as cranes, trucks, trains and ships, with a capacity of 600 to 900 kg H2 (20 to 30 MWh) per container.






















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Saving Florida's Blighted Corals

liquid nitrogen freezing coralsFlorida’s coral reefs are critical to the state’s economy. They protect beaches and play a vital role in supporting thriving fisheries. However, time may be running out to witness some types of live coral in the Florida Keys. A severe heat wave in the summer of 2023 killed many species, and stony coral tissue loss disease has been particularly devastating to Atlantic pillar coral.

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CEC to Award Two Prestigious Scholarships at 2025 Conference

CECICMC25The Cryogenic Engineering Conference (CEC) will award two distinguished scholarships at the upcoming 2025 CEC/ICMC: the Donna Jung Memorial Scholarship Award and the Klaus and Jean Timmerhaus Scholarship Award. These awards are part of the CEC’s ongoing efforts to encourage the next generation of engineers and scientists in the field of cryogenics, and are funded by the Cryogenic Engineering Conference, Inc., along with contributions from industrial and private sponsors.

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What Is the Temperature of Space?

Figure 1: COBE/FIRAS image. Credit: NASAOne of the most common questions from students when presented with an introduction to in-space applications of cryogenics is “What temperature is space?” While the askers of this question are usually enthusiastically interested, thinking space to have tactile temperatures just like the playground outside the school, this is actually a bit of a trick question. Let’s explore.

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Thermionics Laboratory Empowers Precision Nanofabrication, Ultrahigh Vacuum Manipulator for Glancing Low Angle Deposition

GLAD Manipulator. Credit: Thermionics LaboratoryWhat does a leading optics manufacturer do when striving to develop cutting-edge lenses for high-resolution imaging systems? Their quest for flawless optical performance hinges on achieving nanostructured surfaces that minimize light scattering and maximize transmission efficiency.

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Tests Show High Temperature Superconducting Magnets Ready for Fusion

A team lowers the magnet into the cryostat container. Credit: Gretchen ErtlIn the early hours of September 5, 2021, engineers at MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) achieved a groundbreaking milestone by demonstrating a world-record magnetic field strength of 20 tesla with a new high-temperature superconducting magnet. This breakthrough is crucial for advancing fusion power technology, with the potential to usher in an era of virtually limitless energy.

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Pressure Increase Method Marks Significant Advancement in Cryogenic Controls and Safety

Packaging leak tests are carried out during production to prevent leaks and damage. Products like coffee are quickly affected by environmental influences: oxygen, moisture or light can cause damage extremely quickly which leads to loss of aroma and quality. Credit: INFICON GmbHEnsuring the integrity of packaging in cryogenic environments is crucial for maintaining product quality and operational safety. Recent advancements in non-destructive leak testing technology underscore significant improvements in cryogenic controls and safety by emphasizing the need for precise and reliable testing methods. Effective leak detection is essential for preserving the performance of critical systems, and modern technologies, such as the Contura® series from INFICON GmbH, which illustrates how advanced leak detection systems can uphold these standards and enhance overall system reliability. Its advanced technology is particularly valuable in sectors where maintaining vacuum or low pressure environments is essential.

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Doctor Advances Cryopreservation in Heart Regeneration and Organ Transplantation

Dr. Rasha Al-attar is advancing heart regeneration by developing nature-inspired cryopreservation techniques to improve stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and organ preservation. Credit: Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General HospitalAt Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Rasha Al-attar’s research is at the forefront of advancing heart regeneration and organ transplantation. Initially focusing on stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hPSC-CM) transplantation to repair infarcted heart tissue, Dr. Al-attar faced a significant challenge: while immature hPSC-CMs survive freezing, they often induce arrhythmias post-transplantation, limiting their clinical application. To address this, Dr. Al-attar transitioned to her postdoctoral work in Dr. Shannon N. Tessier's lab, where she applies nature-inspired techniques to advance cryopreservation methods. Inspired by freeze-tolerant frogs, her research includes developing techniques to preserve hearts at normothermic levels ex vivo, enabling real-time monitoring of arrhythmias and improving transplantation outcomes. Her work aims to overcome gaps in cryopreservation and organ preservation, enhancing the clinical feasibility of stem cell therapies and addressing key issues in heart regeneration.

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Beckman Institute Labs Bridge Advanced Imaging and Alzheimer’s Research

This PET machine located in Beckman's Molecular Imaging Laboratory will be operated by Dobrucki and used extensively during the team's research. Credit: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the the University of Illinois Urbana- ChampaignThe Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has embarked on a life-changing research project to advance the early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. With the support of a $3 million grant from the US National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, the institute is leveraging the capabilities of its Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Laboratory and the Molecular Imaging Laboratory to develop innovative imaging techniques. Central to this initiative is the use of Cu-64 for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging and Mn2+ for enhanced MRI, offering new possibilities for studying Alzheimer’s disease in living patients.

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Bluefors Lab Offers Cryo Measurements, a Low Risk Model for Experiments

Bluefors Lab in Delft, Netherlands, offers cryogenic measurements as a service, providing startups and smaller institutions with cost-effective access to advanced cryogenic cooling systems and a full suite of measurement electronics necessary for quantum research, along with comprehensive support from experienced staff. Credit: BlueforsQuantum technology continues to develop at a rapid pace, and the need for access to cryogenic cooling systems for quantum research has never been greater. While established institutions have an increasing number of options to choose from, startups and smaller institutions still face considerable challenges, not least of which are the costs involved in investing in a dedicated cryogenic measurement system for their experiments.

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En Route Toward the First German Quantum Computer

Cryogenic setup and control of a superconducting quantum computer at FZ Jülich. (© Forschungszentrum Jülich/Sascha Kreklau)Fraunhofer IPMS is collaborating on the development of an integrated German quantum computer based on superconducting quantum chips. Together with 24 German research institutions and companies, under the coordination of Forschungszentrum (FZ) Jülich, Fraunhofer IPMS is working on this quantum computer with the goal of improving error rates.

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How Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Combustion Could Revolutionize Racing

Image: Fuel cell cut out. Credit: Ricardo and Gemma HattonHydrogen power is gradually making its mark on the motorsport scene. This year, we have already witnessed hydrogen race cars competing in the Fuji 24 Hours, hillclimbs, and the Dakar Rally. Looking ahead to 2025, the world’s first hydrogen championship, Extreme H, will debut, and by 2027, hydrogen prototypes are expected to race at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

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Lightweight Supramolecular Material for Compressed Hydrogen Storage

Credit: Nature Chemistry (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01622-wA team of chemists from the University of Hong Kong, Northwestern University, and Duke University has developed a supramolecular material capable of compressing hydrogen for storage without being too heavy. Their study, published in Nature Chemistry, demonstrates the use of porous organic crystals for hydrogen storage.

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Indian Student to Research Liquid Hydrogen with Monash University

Rohith PrakashA Ph.D. student from India is conducting groundbreaking research with Monash University’s Department of Civil Engineering after being selected as the recipient of the prestigious Australian government-funded Maitri Scholars Program. Chennai native Rohith Prakash will focus on advancing the safe transport and storage of liquid hydrogen, with a particular emphasis on mitigating sloshing effects within storage tanks and their impact on boil-off rates. As a cryogenic fuel stored at an ultra-low temperature of -253°C, liquid hydrogen is highly susceptible to boil-off during transportation, presenting a significant challenge in its handling and management.

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First Modern Liquid Oxygen Manufacturing Plant To Be Constructed At Tatu Industrial Park

https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/newsHewatele, a company based in Kenya that focuses on providing medical-grade oxygen and other healthcare solutions, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of East Africa’s first modern liquid oxygen manufacturing plant, designed to address the rising demand for medical-grade liquid oxygen in healthcare facilities throughout the region. The advanced cryogenic medical liquid oxygen air separation unit will be located at Tatu Industrial Park.

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Superconducting Nanowires Enable Cooler Photon-Counting Electronics

M. Castellani/MIT This micrograph image shows a counting device for a single-photon detector. In this new design, both the detector and the signal processing electronics are fabricated from superconducting nanowires.Single-photon detectors built from superconducting nanowires have become a vital tool for quantum information processing, while their superior speed and sensitivity have made them an appealing option for low-light imaging applications such as space exploration and biophotonics. However, it has proved difficult to build high-resolution cameras from these devices because the cryogenically cooled detectors must be connected to readout electronics operating at room temperature. Now a research team led by Karl Berggren at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has demonstrated a superconducting electronics platform that can process the single-photon signals at ultracold temperatures, providing a scalable pathway for building megapixel imaging arrays [1].

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Cryogenic Therapy Puts the Freeze on Esophageal Cancer

Shyam Thakkar, M.D.Patients with esophageal tumors often experience malignant dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing due to an obstruction, complicating their treatment and preventing them from eating normally. The Advanced Center for Therapeutic Endoscopy at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital is the first in West Virginia to offer an innovative solution to this problem.

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Rising Helium Demand Set to Double by 2035

Forecast of growth for helium demand. Source: IDTechExA new report from IDTechEx suggests that global helium demand is set to double by 2035, driven by the wide-ranging applications of this vital element. Helium, a finite yet critical resource, is indispensable across multiple industries. From medical imaging to semiconductor manufacturing, helium’s unique properties—such as high thermal conductivity, chemical inertness, and cryogenic capabilities—make it irreplaceable in various high-tech applications.

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Viewing Fast Vortex Motion in a Superconductor

superconducting vortexIn many superconductors, applying a sufficiently strong magnetic field causes superconducting electrons to create current vortices that can be drawn along with a steady electric current. To learn more about how these vortices move, researchers have now visualized their trajectories in a situation where they are driven to oscillate at near-terahertz frequencies [1]. They observed the vortex motion on picosecond timescales and found that, under these conditions, a vortex’s effective mass is 10,000 times less than expected. This result may be important for efforts to improve high-current superconducting devices.

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