Dan Schick M.S. Graduate Student Mechanical Engineering Room: 1335 ERB Email: dschick@wisc.edu Hometown: Oconomowoc, WI Thesis: Exploring the geometry and performance of cryocooler re-condenser designs.

Cryocooler Re-condensers Used to re-condense stored cryogens for Superconducting electromagnets: Particle accelerator magnets, MRI, motors, generators, etc. Cryogen storage depots in space Helium is the working fluid inside the cryocooler, and the condensing fluid outside the cryocooler Thermal resistance between cryocooler cold tip and the surrounding helium gas causes inefficiency http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/images_cryo2.html Cold tip

Re-condenser Optimization Project goals Minimize thermal resistance Optimize condensation rate Geometry and extensions Determine appropriate geometry to adequately move condensed gas to liquid phase Investigate influence of surface preparation Extend condensing surface into the saturated bath? vs.