Cryogenic Technology Resources

The resources presented on this website are part of the output from the NIST Cryogenic Technologies Group that existed as a group from 1995 to 2009. Some limited activities continue today. The activities are divided into four areas:

  1. Education. Publications and short courses about cryogenics and its applications for use by the public and professionals. Click on the About Cryogenics link for a brief definition of cryogenics and its uses. Click on the Publications link for more detailed information.
  2. Cryocooler Research. Cooling to cryogenic temperatures is often carried out by the use of cryocoolers. NIST has carried out theoretical and experimental research on improved refrigeration processes and technologies to achieve cryogenic temperatures more efficiently, more reliably, and more compactly. Click on the Cryocoolers link to learn more about cryocoolers. Free software for the analysis of regenerative heat exchangers in regenerative cryocoolers is available under the Software link. Further information about cryocoolers can be found in the Publications section.
  3. Cryogenic Material Properties Database. This database is a critical evaluation of existing experimental measurements on the properties of engineering materials at cryogenic temperatures (including room temperature and above). Equations are given for the recommended property value as a function of temperature. Click on the Material Properties link to enter this database. These correlations were developed as part of a past NIST Standard Reference Data (SRD) project. The Property Calculators link will bring you to a set of interactive calculators based off of data from the materials properties database. Properties of cryogenic fluids can be accessed under the Fluid Properties link. The fluid property data are part of the ongoing REFPROP project, another NIST Standard Reference Data (SRD) project.
  4. Cryogenic Flow Calibration. Calibration of flow meters at cryogenic temperatures was historically carried out and certified to NIST, but is no longer available. Click on the Flow Calibrations link for historical information.

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