An Undergraduate UVIC Student Capstone Project on Superconducting Magnets (submitted)
Part of the focus at Accel-Link Ltd is on students who will provide the next generation of contributions in the particle accelerator field or an associated field such as nuclear fusion. We are also interested in projects that contribute to reduced energy consumption, and minimization of space utilization in buildings. Consider Isabel Dinneny a 4th year Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate student at the University of Victoria, who has contributed a brief bio, and a brief project description. She is a student, and her project is aimed at the reduction of energy consumption, and a reduced footprint for a mass spectrometer magnet appropriate for medical stable isotope separation. She intends to do this by utilizing a superconducting magnet design rather than a typical “warm” magnet.
Bio – Isabel Dinneny
I am currently in my final year of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Victoria in Canada 2024/25. During my time at UVic, I have completed internships in diverse fields including quantum computing, rocketry, and nuclear fusion. Additionally, I have worked as a research assistant with UVic’s Hybrid 3D research group. Upon graduation, I aim to work in the field of nuclear fusion to develop a clean, sustainable energy source that can positively impact the world. Outside of work and studies, I enjoy hiking, traveling, and running.
Student’s Project Description
This honours thesis project, supervised by Dr. Andrew Rowe, focuses on the development of a superconducting magnet for use as a mass spectrometer. By leveraging the unique properties of superconducting materials, the project aims to reduce the footprint, and overall power consumption typically incurred with resistive magnets..
The primary objective of this project is to design a superconducting magnet that meets the requirements of the given application. This involves a comprehensive analysis of high-temperature and low-temperature superconducting materials, including an examination of the critical parameters for certain materials.
Additionally, using the selected material, a superconducting coil will be designed and magnetic field and force simulations will be conducted using ANSYSTM. These simulations will provide insights into the uniformity of the magnetic field and the necessary mechanical structures surrounding the coils to ensure rigidity and support.
Finally, the project will include a preliminary design of the cryogenic system required for maintaining the superconducting state. This will involve evaluating different cooling techniques to determine the most effective method for this application.
Cultural and Technological Journeys with Particle Accelerators
One of the pleasant side-effects of being involved in the business of particle accelerators has been being exposed to a large number of companies and institutions distributed far and wide in varied geographical and cultural environments. It has been a very interesting experience, for example, to discover the large selection of dairy products available for breakfast at my hotel in Jyväskylä, Finland (and such a delicious breakfast with fresh baked rolls, meats, fish, and cheeses). If it is winter, then I get to walk across the adjoining frozen lake to the university. This is simply marvelous! There are so many enjoyable things to do such as river rafting nearby, and then a sauna afterwards. I am always stunned to see the large ski jump above the skyline. The university of Jyväskylä has two cyclotrons, the K130 used for nuclear physics and material science experiments, and the MCC30/15 intended for radioisotope production. Interestingly, this latter cyclotron from the Efremov Institute in Russia was given to Finland as a portion of its World War II reparations payment. The university also has a 1.7 MV Pelletron Tandem Accelerator used for materials physics research, and a Varian cLINAC 1200 with electron energies of 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV.
Many of the articles we will be posting in this Accel-Link communications forum will be profiles, interviews, commentaries, or articles featuring people from many locations around the world involved in the particle accelerator business. Some will be well known with international reputations, but most will be students or staff who are behind the scenes, but who have important roles in this accelerator business. We will highlight geographical and cultural aspects of their lives as well as their particular job within the overall particle accelerator ecosystem. We will describe the type of accelerator used, and its application. It is often, to me at least, surprising to realize an accelerator for a particular application is located where it is. They can be in remote locations in the mountains, at a seaport, or in the most densely populated areas in a central business district.
This forum will explore areas of the particle accelerator world of interest to me. Particularly in the area of new technology developments that can do a better job in accomplishing existing applications such as but not limited to ion implantation, medical radioisotope and stable-isotope production, therapy, or contraband detection. Topics, of course, would include any new applications that add value to our society. However, now at this point in my career, I wish to focus more heavily on other factors. I believe it is important to explore uses where particle accelerators can contribute to reducing pollution, resource utilization, and energy usage. Similarly, ways in which particle accelerator technology can be improved to limit resource and energy consumption in their operations will be investigated. Furthermore, end of life considerations for accelerator equipment during early design stages shall be emphasized, and strategies for recycling equipment or re-using equipment will be considered.
We will also explore the education and training of the next generation of technologists, engineers, and scientists as well as other key contributors. Articles exploring where we are now with regards to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) will be posted. Ideas regarding what can be improved going forward will be put forth as part of our programme. Personal experiences will be included as well as reviewing existing policy in institutions, companies and governments. It is encouraging to see grant applications in Canada now typically include sections for how the research will facilitate or foster EDI, and applications can and will be rejected if these sections are weak.
Well, I am looking forward to posting many articles, interviews, and profiles in this Accel-Link forum for communications about the business of particle accelerators.
