Design and analysis of the tooling to manipulate and install complete sectors in the ATLAS new small wheel within narrowly defined stress parameters.

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2015.Abstract available in PDF file

The ITER In-Vessel Coils – design finalization and challenges

ITER In-Vessel Coils (IVCs), resistive magnets to be installed in close proximity to ITER plasma to compensate fast perturbations of the plasma itself, have undergone a comprehensive revision of their requirements and operational loads, leading to design modifications and R&D; activities. An update of the plasma operating scenarios has been done and the maximum currents during transient plasma events have been assessed considering actual operating currents and the surrounding vacuum vessel support structure leading to more representative load cases. The main IVC component modifications are the conductor material and the winding pack support structure. Phase 1 of the conductor procurement involving two suppliers has been completed and the supplier selection for the main production is ongoing. Additional modifications include the joints, where Cu brazing has been replaced by welding, and the conductors are not brazed to the winding pack bracket but clamped. Bracket mockups for the coils have been completed identifying welding parameters and corresponding non-destructive examination (NDE), while different designs of electrical insulating breaks (IB) using Alumina have been tested against pressures up to 80 bars on top of the electrical characterization. A summary of the key challenges experienced towards design finalization is presented

Extension of the R&D Programme on Technologies for Future Experiments

we have conceived an extension of the R&D programme covering the period 2024 to 2028, i.e. again a 5-year period, however with 2024 as overlap year. This step was encouraged by the success of the current programme but also by the Europe-wide efforts to launch new Detector R&D collaborations in the framework of the ECFA Detector R&D Roadmap. We propose to continue our R&D programme with the main activities in essentially the same areas. All activities are fully aligned with the ECFA Roadmap and in most cases will be carried out under the umbrella of one of the new DRD collaborations. The program is a mix of natural continuations of the current activities and a couple of very innovative new developments, such as a radiation hard embedded FPGA implemented in an ASIC based on System-on-Chip technology. A special and urgent topic is the fabrication of Al-reinforced super-conducting cables. Such cables are a core ingredient of any new superconducting magnet such as BabyIAXO, PANDA, EIC, ALICE-3 etc. Production volumes are small and demands come in irregular intervals. Industry (world-wide) is no longer able and willing to fabricate such cables. The most effective approach (technically and financially) may be to re-invent the process at CERN, together with interested partners, and offer this service to the community