This $399,999 Project Grant awarded by the National Science Foundation (CFDA 47.049 - Mathematical and Physical Sciences) supports the development and improvement of helium liquefaction and recovery equipment at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). The goal is to increase the helium recovery efficiency of the university's Central Helium Liquefier and Recovery Facility from ~74% to 85-90%. This will provide a more stable and cost-effective supply of liquid helium to support a wide range of multidisciplinary research across campus, spanning areas like chemistry, materials science, physics, and quantum information sciences. The project upgrades key components of the liquefaction system to enhance operational efficiency and expand storage capacity. It also supports the training of undergraduate students and interns on helium recovery equipment maintenance. This award strengthens the research infrastructure at UIUC and in the surrounding region, enabling continued scientific advancements through the reliable supply of this critical cryogenic resource.
Generated 3/4/25, 6:25 AM