NSCL Directory Profile

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John Weisend
Cryomodule Department Manager
Cryogenics
 
Ph.D. Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison (1989)
Joined NSCL in April 2010
Phone(517) 908-7743
Fax(517) 353-5967
Office2122
 
Photograph of John Weisend

Selected Publications:
Experimental Studies of Light Emission Phenomena
in Superconducting RF Cavities. P.L. Anthony, J.R. Delayen, D. Fryberger, W.S. Goree, J. Mammosser, Z.M. Szalata, J.G.Weisend II , Nuclear Instrumentation and Methods (NIM) A 612, 1-45 (2009)

Baseline Configuration of the Cryogenic System for the International Linear Collider. J. Casas-Cubillos et al. Proc. ICEC 21: 27-30 (2007)

Liquid Hydrogen Target for the Precision Measurement of the Weak Mixing Angle in Moller Scattering at SLAC. J. Gao et al. Nucl.Instrum. Meth. A (2003)
Handbook of Cryogenic Engineering. J. G. Weisend II (Editor),Taylor & Francis (1998)

Cryogenic Two-Phase Flow: Applications to Large Scale Systems. N.N. Filina, J.G.Weisend II, Cambridge University Press (1996)
My principal interest is in the field of cryogenic engineering, particularly as applied to large-scale scientific projects. Cryogenics (the science and engineering associated with phenomena that occur below temperatures of 120 K) is a key enabling technology for both NSCL and the FRIB project. The reliable production and maintenance of liquid helium temperatures down to 2 K is critical for the superconducting magnets and RF cavities used at NSCL and FRIB. I am interested in engineering applications of He II (superfluid He), design and operation of large-scale cryogenic systems, cryostat design, cryogenic safety, scientific publishing, the establishment of large international collaborations, and educational outreach.

My role as the FRIB Cryomodule Department Head is to ensure that all the cryomodules required for FRIB perform properly and are provided within cost and schedule. Having a joint appointment in the Mechanical Engineering Department at MSU allows me to help build bridges between NSCL and the College of Engineering, as well as teach classes and supervise students in research areas relevant to NSCL and FRIB. For example, over the years, I have organized and helped to teach short courses and webinars on Cryostat Design, Cryogenic Safety, Superconducting RF and General Cryogenics. These types of classes are influenced and enhanced through my involvement in the long-term development of cryogenics at NSCL.

There are many opportunities for students to conduct research in cryogenics including: studies to optimize the operation and reduce the energy consumption of the NSCL cryogenic refrigeration plants; the use of computational fluid dynamics to optimize the design of pressure relief systems and to predict the development of oxygen deficient areas; improvements to superconducting magnet lead design, and the implementation of cryocooler based zero boil off systems for certain magnet applications.
In addition to my appointment as a professor in mechanical engineering and my work at NSCL and FRIB in cryogenics, I stay active in several professional organizations by taking roles including: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cryogenic Society of America, Chief Technical Editor of Advances in Cryogenic Engineering and service on the International Cryogenic Engineering Conference Board. I also serve on technical and project review committees for the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and for various national and international laboratories.

Beta=0.53 FRIB Cryomodule.