The Soft Matter Team have chosen to highlight the work done by their newest member since his apprenticeship last year. Andy Church has also provided some general updates from the team, including changes to staffing.
Contents:
General Updates
Staff Changes
A few changes have been going on in Soft Matter:
Leaving
Tom Charleston is moving to R2 Design where he will be a good asset. I wish Tom all the best in his new role.
Joining
James Dalton has joined us from Pressure and Furnace and along with Harry Oliver have both been promoted, both well deserved. We are still looking to recruit another mechanical technician to replace Matt (Hartley James).
General
It is going to be a challenging next two user runs with a new starter and a technician down, so support could become an issue at certain times depending on the scheduling. If your experiment will need support from the Soft Matter team, please give us as much advanced warning as possible.
We are working with the ESS SE team in looking at the development of certain ‘ageing’ equipment that either needs a full re-design or just updating to satisfy user needs. We are sharing resources to try and satisfy both facilities.
My technicians are also looking at modifying an ISISSTAT and a Variox by designing new tails so they can be used in a GMW magnet. This means we are modifying the OVC and radiation tails to a smaller diameter so we can insert into the GMW magnets, which need to be 100 mm or less, while keeping a 50 mm sample space.
Apprentice to a full-time role.
Harry Oliver, who you may remember as being an apprentice in the last issue of the SEaSL Newsletter, has been taken on as a full time member of the Soft Matter team. He had this to say about the change:
During the apprenticeship scheme, I was able to experience a wide array of placements at the STFC site. I learned a wide variety of skills which I was able to develop further when I went into my full-time position with the Soft Matter Department.
During my apprenticeship placement, I was able to help out with equipment and experiment setups, as well as testing, designing and assembling new components. This gave me an idea of what to expect with a full-time position in Soft Matter.
Now working for Soft Matter full time there have been a few changes. I have taken on more responsibility when it comes to operations and setups. This includes setting up equipment such as cryostats, magnets and sample changers by myself and with colleagues. Completing equipment setups has meant I have encountered problems that I otherwise would not have come across and learned from. Any issues that have occurred have easily been resolved by speaking to Andy or Tom who would have come across them before.
As well as setting up equipment, I have designed components such as the guide magnet setup for the HTS magnet in POLREF. This was then manufactured in the R6 workshop by Simon and his team. I was then able to assemble it on the magnet and test the setup to ensure it functioned as expected.
Guide Magnets (left) and Furnace with the Sample Holder (right).
More recent projects include liaising with scientists to develop a sample holder for the Delft furnace project. This involved designing a sample holder to fit within a 3mm slot in the core of the furnace. As well as modifying and getting additional core components manufactured in preparation for the upcoming experiment.
Heat Exchanger.
Lastly, I have been working on a cryogenic heat exchanger and cooling sample container. This consists of a copper heat exchanger to run liquid nitrogen through, A sample holder, Double glazed heated aluminium windows and a container to house everything. It has involved setting up meetings with colleagues, designing the heat exchanger and receiving feedback. Communicating with the R6 workshop team to produce the components and working with the electronics department to wire the heated aluminium windows.
Overall, I am learning a lot and being kept very busy. The transition into a full-time role has been smooth, as my skills have gradually developed, I have taken on more responsibility and my confidence has grown. I look forward to future challenges and science.
For more information about these projects, or any other enquiries to the Soft Matter team, please
contact team leader Andy Church and check out the Soft Matter Team
website.
