In this presentation, I will reflect on two research lines that characterized my research career at the University of Twente; The development of SQUID-based magnetometers systems in the 80s and 90s, mostly focusing on biomagnetic applications, followed by the development of vibration-free cryocoolers.
Since the early 2000s, we have been working on small Joule-Thomson cold stages driven by...
In this presentation the key contributions in the development of DRs will be discussed from the very beginning to the present status of the technique. Also the history of GM and pulse-tube coolers will get some attention since their development runs parallel to the development of DRs and presently pulse-tube coolers and DRs are combined in the so-called dry DRs.
In the end some challenges...
As the demand for clean energy carriers grows, liquid hydrogen (LH₂) is gaining strategic importance—particularly in sectors such as maritime transport and port logistics, where energy density and cryogenic handling capabilities are critical. At EcoLog, we are leading the development of a large-scale LH₂ import and distribution terminal in the Port of Amsterdam, supported by advanced cryogenic...
The core of a quantum computer or a quantum sensor is generally an array of qubits or quantum detectors and classical electronics for its control; it operates on the qubits/detectors with nanosecond latency and a very low noise. Classical electronics is generally operating at room temperature, however recently, we have proposed that it moves closer to the qubits/detectors and operates at...
Quantum effects have already been in use for a long time: Technologies such as X-rays, transistors, lasers, LEDs etc. are all based on the control of quantum bundles. Today, individual quanta can be manipulated in a targeted manner. Their interconnection into millions of qubits enables the construction of useful quantum computers.. Quantum computing is expected to drive advancements in...
Quantum computing has recently gained interest from industry, opening new fields of applications. Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, thanks to its experiences on low temperature systems and on Helium Refrigeration and Liquefaction systems for Physics and Industry, is actively developing solutions to address the many emerging challenges associated with Quantum Data Centers.
Recently, the...
The Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph (METIS) is one of the first-generation instruments being developed for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). It will observe in the 3–13 µm wavelength range, which is key for studying faint thermal emission from astronomical sources like exoplanets and distant galaxies. To detect such faint signals, METIS needs a cryogenic environment that reduces...
The exponentially increasing power consumption of the world requires a tremendously large source of power production, nuclear fusion has the potential to meet this requirement. Among various possible nuclear fusion reactions, deuterium-tritium (D-T) reaction has emerged as the most favorable reaction. Energy production by the D-T reaction has been demonstrated in the Tokamak Fusion Test...
One of the world's most ambitious research facilities is currently being built near Darmstadt in Germany. Cryogenics plays a central role in this project, as the two largest components of the facility, SIS100 and SuperFRS, use superconducting magnets. Since the last ECD in Darmstadt, a lot has happened on our campus and the cryogenic supply for FAIR is taking shape.
This presentation provides...
The European Spallation Source (ESS) is a neutron-scattering facility being built with extensive international collaboration in Lund, Sweden. Cryogenic technology is utilized in essential parts of the project, particularly in the superconducting linear 2.0 GeV proton accelerator (linac), in the liquid hydrogen moderators and for cryogenic cooling and creation of large magnetic fields for the...
While low field MRI has seen recent breakthrough in several academic and commercial groups1,2, ranging between 50 and 200 mT, field cycling studies have revealed that the most interesting contrast can be obtained in the ultra-low field (ULF) regime (≲ 10 mT)3. However, at such low fields, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) becomes a problem. The use of superconducting quantum interference devices...
Universal quantum computing, requires a scalable system with millions of qubits. One of the current bottlenecks is a fast and high fidelity readout without limiting the scalability by area consumption, wiring, or power dissipation. We address this challenge by developing an integrated readout circuitry (IC), in a 22 nm FD-SOI technology, operating at deep cryogenic temperatures. The IC will be...
The development of Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) based on spin-qubit technology requires significant cooling power in the 0.5–1.0 K temperature range. We present the design and performance of QuCUBE, a cryogenic platform delivering 100 mW of cooling power at 500 mK through a high-flow helium-3 Joule–Thomson refrigerator pre-cooled by a 4 K pulse-tube cryocooler. QuCUBE can also operate at...
Recent developments of high temperature superconductors (HTS) and cryogenic technologies make application of superconductivity in high tech industry attainable. Modern cryocoolers have enough cooling capacity for the application of ReBCO, which enables conduction-cooled vacuum systems to incorporate superconducting components. HTS tapes are available off-the-shelf from a variety of ReBCO tape...
Renaissance Fusion is advancing the development of a stellarator-based commercial nuclear fusion reactor by combining several key enabling technologies. At the core is a novel magnet system that employs wide, laser-engraved high-temperature superconductors (HTS) to generate the complex three-dimensional stellarator magnetic fields, while simultaneously guiding a liquid metal flow along the...
Superconducting radio frequency cavities sit at the heart of modern high-energy particle accelerators. I will give a very brief overview of the current state-of-the-art, highlight some recent developments, and discuss a few current projects utilising SRF including ESS, HiLumi-LHC, and PIP-II.
Abstract
*The quantum industry demands a diverse workforce with foundational quantum knowledge, extending beyond traditional physics specialists. To address this, the University of Twente developed Quantum for the Curious, a 15 ECTS minor introducing non-physics students to key quantum phenomena and technologies. Guided by the European Competence Framework for Quantum Technologies, the...
Hydrogen contamination in liquid helium has been recognized as a problem for several years now. A number of industrial helium extraction plants in the Mediterranean region have been pinpointed by the authors as the possible source. Hydrogen contamination has now been found in a large number of local helium liquefaction plants. These impurities were brought in with the helium deliveries and...
Adoption of liquid hydrogen (LH₂) as a clean, high-energy-density fuel across heavy-duty road vehicles, marine propulsion, and aerospace applications will form a critical component in the decarbonisation of the transport sector. Its ability to deliver zero-carbon energy with rapid refuelling and long-range capability makes LH₂ a cornerstone of future sustainable mobility. However, the...
With the development of the liquid hydrogen as an energy vector, some questions about its storage safety have to be addressed. Cryogenic tanks are thermally insulated with vacuum and possibly multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets and the loss of vacuum (LOVA) is a classical accident to be considered. The key parameter to perform the safety device sizing is the thermal flux during this kind of...
Cryogenic propellants are increasingly considered the best candidates to fuel future space propulsion systems, as they offer the best performances. However, their effective exploitation requires reliable in-space long-term storage and the capability of performing safe and efficient fluid transfer to allow in-orbit tank refilling. Both aspects remain a formidable challenge due to the...
The transition to cleaner energy carriers is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the market share of cryogenic fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid hydrogen (LH₂) increases, cryogenic fluid transportation and storage systems are becoming increasingly important. The unique thermophysical properties of cryogenic fluids pose significant challenges for the...
Metrology is the science of measurement for which a global measurement infrastructure exists via the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). The BIPM members have signed the meter convention committing themselves to the usage of the SI-units of measurement (e.g., kilogram, second, meter etc.). National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) maintain the (reference) measurement standards that...
The rapid expansion of cryogenic technologies, such as quantum computing, necessitates robust, scalable, and high-throughput cryogenic testing infrastructure. As these systems transition from prototypes to commercial products, a significant bottleneck emerges in the need for efficient, production-level testing of numerous components at low temperatures. While many cryogenic systems are...
As the hydrogen market expands, the need for efficient distribution of liquid hydrogen (LH$_{2}$) becomes increasingly important. The potential utilisation of liquid hydrogen in mobile applications or as an energy import vector is subject of current investigations. Reducing flash gas losses during LH$_{2}$ transfer and ensuring adequate pressurization of downstream applications, such as fuel...
Cryocoolers are increasingly favored over baths or forced-flow cooling providing heat removal and thermal stability for magnets made of High Temperature Superconductor (HTS). Efficient heat transfer between magnet and cryocooler is crucial to the operation of such a system. Compared to conventional thermal buses, which are typically made of solid materials such as high-purity copper braids,...
The cryogenic re-liquefaction of Boil-Off Gas (BOG) is a critical step in LNG infrastructure, where methane vaporized due to unavoidable heat ingress must be recovered to mitigate energy losses and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Methane's high global warming potential—over 80 times greater than that of CO₂ over a 20-year horizon—makes its release particularly concerning from both...
As with LNG in the past, LH2 has the potential to revolutionize the energy storage and transportation sectors and roll out the net zero economy on a large scale. However, to enable global hydrogen trade, a list of challenges must be solved. Apart from safety issues, measuring LH2 for custody transfer is one of the main challenges. The key complication of measuring LH2 is its ultra low...
Regenerators are an integral part of regenerative-type cryocoolers, such as pulse tube, Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers, etc. The main function of a regenerator is to store and release heat during the cyclic operation of cryocoolers. The performance of the regenerator directly influences the performance of the cryocooler. Therefore, regenerators should be designed and optimised carefully. The...
A programmable PID thermal control system, implemented using Python with a user interface, has been developed for a laboratory cryostat, enabling precise regulation of multiple temperature stages. The system allows each stage to reach commanded setpoints and maintain them for a defined dwell time or until the target temperature is achieved. Users can fully configure setpoints, PID parameters,...
ABSTRACT- POSTER
Electric driven and low heat load valves for liquid helium applications
Leire Colomo, Ander Gabirondo 1)
1) AMPO Poyam Valves, ES- 20213 Idiazabal, Gipuzkoa, Spain
As the energy sector advances toward greener and more efficient technologies, liquid helium is playing a central role in enabling high-performance cryogenic systems. Its use is critical in superconducting...
The regasification of cryogenic liquids, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquid hydrogen (LH₂), and industrial gases like nitrogen and oxygen, offers an unique opportunity for energy recovery during their transition from liquid to gas and subsequent gas heating to ambient temperature. Liquefaction of gases for their transport and storage occurs at extremely low temperatures and requires...
The emergence of the liquid hydrogen (LH2) industry promises transformative potential across sectors like energy storage, propulsion, and synthetic fuels. However, the complex thermophysical behaviour of LH₂ — applicable to production, storage, transportation, distribution and end use — requires deeper understanding to enable efficient system design. Some examples include cryogenic phase...
This research presents a numerical investigation into the multiphase behaviour of cryogenic hydrogen gas jets released into ambient air, with particular attention to the liquefaction of atmospheric water vapour induced by strong shear. The simulations are conducted using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver developed within a finite volume framework, incorporating a hybrid Noble-Abel...
Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of the transition to sustainable energy systems. Storing hydrogen in liquefied form (LH₂) is particularly advantageous due to its relatively high energy density and scalability for storage and transport. However, managing boil-off rates (BOR) during storage and transportation remains a significant challenge. Hydrogen boil-off leads to safety...
Sumitomo (SHI) cryogenics has been a pioneer and industry leader in developing cryocoolers for all major cryogenic applications including healthcare, semiconductor manufacturing, laboratory research, and quantum
computing, for customers globally. With the rising demand for 20K and high temperature superconducting (HTS) applications we have increased our efforts in the last decade to develop...
Most IR detectors are currently cryocooled by Stirling type coolers, where long mission durations are required. Stirling cryocooling is a matured technology with proven capabilities by many manufacturers who suggest a wide variety of tactical coolers. System engineers learned how to integrate Stirling coolers and managing their disadvantages, mainly their size, the vibration and noise they...
Athena is a large (L-class) mission from the European Space Agency (ESA) dedicated to the study of the hot and energetic universe. One of its instruments, the X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU), needs temperatures as low as 50 mK for its detectors to reach the required sensitivity. In its newly proposed design, X-IFU uses a 50 K cryostat cooled thanks to radiative cooling. Mechanical coolers...
The studies of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) face significant technical constraints. To obtain accurate maps, the instrument must be capable of measuring fluctuations on the order of microkelvin over long observation periods (greater than two years). The Planck mission was a success, but with performance of 0.1 µW at 100 mK, its lifetime was limited by the maximum amount of helium that...
Aviation is an important pillar of mobility and is essential for a globalized world. The aviation industry has recovered from the Corona crisis and, as expected, is poised to grow in the coming decades at a rate of around 4% per annum. With this compounding growth, the climate impact of aviation is expected to increase substantially. While ground transportation can electrify, at least to a...
AeroDelft is a student-led team working to demonstrate the potential of liquid hydrogen as a sustainable aviation fuel. To do this, the team is retrofitting a Sling-4 aircraft with a hydrogen-electric powertrain. Two hydrogen storage systems are under development: a 700-bar compressed hydrogen system, planned to fly in the 2025/26 academic year, and a cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH₂) system,...
To reduce the environmental impact of mobility, liquid hydrogen has been identified as promising energy carrier. Many initiatives are ongoing to investigate the use of liquid hydrogen for mobility. In the Netherlands, Cryoworld plays a significant role in these projects as liquid hydrogen knowledge partner. Cryoworld is involved in developing and manufacturing fuel tanks for aircrafts and...
The design and performance validation of composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs), particularly Type-3 and Type-4 cryogenic tanks, are critical for space and defense applications where weight, thermal stability, and pressure resistance must be optimized. Among the most influential process parameters determining composite integrity are the resin-binder ratio, winding orientation, and...
Rotterdam The Hague Airport is at the forefront of sustainable aviation developments through its efforts in liquid hydrogen infrastructure. As part of the EU TULIPS consortium, the airport has initiated small-scale demonstrations for the storage and refueling of liquid hydrogen on the airside, supported by comprehensive safety studies and risk assessments. Next to that, the airport is involved...
The Einstein Telescope (ET), the next-generation underground gravitational wave observatory, demands unprecedented sensitivity to detect spacetime distortions. A critical component in achieving this sensitivity is the cryogenic cooling of its mirror systems to temperatures near 10 K. However, conventional cooling methods introduce mechanical vibrations that can compromise the interferometric...
The High Luminosity LHC project is a major upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider that will provide a fivefold increase of the instantaneous collision rate and a tenfold increase of the integrated luminosity with respect to the LHC original design values for the ATLAS and CMS experiments.
To achieve the higher luminosity, the existing focusing magnets on each side of ATLAS and CMS experiments...
The Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) -https://www.dtt-project.it/- is an experimental facility currently under construction in Frascati (Rome, Italy), designed to investigate the challenges of heat exhaust under operating conditions representative of commercial fusion power plants, [1]. In order to ensure its relevance to ITER and DEMO, DTT must be capable of sustaining sufficiently long plasma...
Cryogenic terminals are critical thermal interfaces in superconducting power systems, where precise temperature control has a direct impact on system stability and performance. This work presents a multiscale thermal modeling framework for LN$_2$-cooled conduction terminals with integrated heat exchangers (HXs), developed to support robust component design under realistic operating conditions...
Due to recent technological advancements academic and industrial groups are now able to test and apply many of the beautiful concepts of quantum theory. I will introduce two of the key concepts underlying quantum computing and quantum communication, namely superposition and entanglement, and I will show how these are applied in the fields of quantum communication and in quantum...
Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) deliver unmatched efficiency, timing precision and spectral range. In this talk we will give an overview of recent advances in this technology with focus on applications such as quantum communication, computing, and imaging.
We present the development of a compact, rack-mountable cryocooler capable of achieving temperatures down to 2 K, designed specifically for quantum sensing environments. The system integrates pulse tube and Joule-Thomson cooling technologies to deliver high thermal stability and ultra-low vibration performance, critical for quantum applications. Engineered for maintenance-free operation, the...
Cryogenic applications require high complexity air and gas handling. Hydrogen is liquefied for ease of storage and transportation. Once liquefied, boil-off is avoided by cooling the hydrogen (zero-boil off). For both liquification and zero-boil off the reverse Brayton cycle is the most efficient and therefore preferred technology. Driven by a turbo compressor and a turbo expander, it is...
In macroscopic solid-state thermal diodes (MSTDs), spatial and temperature asymmetry arises from combining two materials whose thermal conductivities vary differently with temperature [1]. These devices offer strong potential for passive directional heat control in cryogenic environments. However, current state-of-the-art MSTDs exhibit rectification factors (RF) that remain too low for...
