Dan R. Watson
EDUCATION
M.Phil., Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
B.Sc., Physics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
RESEARCHER Sciences des Materiaux
(September 1997 – August 2014) IREQ - Institute de recherche d’Hydro-Québec Varennes, Québec, Canada
1) Materials R&D
Activities:
R&D of materials for power engineering applications: high temperature superconductors (HTS), composites, thermal and electrical insulation for use at cryogenic temperatures
Acquisition of precursor materials: thermoplastic polymers and plasticizers, ceramic and metallic powders with specific morphology, stoichiometry, purity, cost etc.; solid metals (pure and alloys) and ceramic substrates with required compatibility, thermal, electrical, mechanical properties and cost
Dispersion of metal and ceramic powder in thermoplastic polymer matrix
Shaping of green experimental specimens and prototypes by warm pressing, extrusion, rolling, lamination, tape casting, spin coating etc
Optimization of process parameters: binder burn off, densification and phase formation heat treatments and atmospheric conditions
Mount and polish samples for optical characterisation of microstructures
Characterisation: electrical (voltage, current, resistivity), magnetic (VSM and SQUID)
Reporting: compilation, analysis and write up of experimental data
Accomplishments:
The following articles were published in peer reviewed journals:
“Effects of microstructure and secondary phases on the superconducting properties of AgAu sheathed Bi-2223 tapes”, Advances in Cryogenic Engineering (Materials), Volume 46, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2000, p. 527
“The influence of heating temperature on the superconducting properties of silver-gold sheathed Bi-2223 tapes destined for power applications”, IEEE Trans. on Appl. Superconductivity, Vol. 9, No. 2, June 1999, p.2533‑2536
2) Scale up and Prototype Development
Activities:
Specified, sourced and procured industrial process equipment (rubber mill, hot press, extruder, sigma blade mixer) for pilot plant
Coordinated installation of equipment with external contractors
Developed and operated pilot plant for manufacture scale up of materials for a prototype fault current limiter and a cryogenic fuse
Specified, sourced and procured high temperature furnaces, thermocouples, temperature controllers, software etc
Modification of furnaces for precise, uniform control of temperature and atmosphere during processing
Sourced and procured microscope, image analysis software, metallographic sample preparation equipment
Accomplishments:
Developed pilot plant for producing composite ceramic/metallic plates and other artefacts for a prototype resistive type fault current limiter
Developed fuse elements to demonstrate cryogenic fuse concept
Patent No. 7,102,861 “Cryogenic Current Limiting Fuse”
3)Programming and Computer Use
Activities:
Labview course for computer control of various laboratory and pilot plant equipment
Computer control of furnace temperature and atmosphere
Magnet simulation software
Kaleidagraph data analysis and graphing software
Self taught CAD through online seminars
Accomplishments:
Developed data logger and user interface for real time graphical representation of process parameters: furnace temperature gradient profile, oxygen partial pressure
Developed test apparatus to measure sample resistivity as a function of temperature
Developed test apparatus to measure voltage-current characteristics of HTS
The following articles were published in peer review journals:
“Development of a numerical method to determine the local E-J characteristics of anisotropic HTS from experimental V-I curves”, Advances in Cryogenic Engineering (Materials), Volume 48, New-York: American Institute of Physics, 2002, p.
“Modelling of current transfer and self field effects in composite HTS conductors”, Advances in Cryogenic Engineering (Materials), Volume 46, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2000, p. 535
4)Research Report Writing
Activities:
State of the art - Energy Storage: analysis of various technologies, projects/collaborations, time-line to market, performance, efficiency, limitations
Compressed Air Energy Storage: researched technologies and activities in this field, efficiencies, power density, scale, site locations, potential for use in remote and strategic grid locations
Superconductivity: literature reviews, monitor activities of universities, industrial research groups, manufacturing companies, collaborations, demonstration projects, cost/performance analysis
Insulation: analysis of thermal and electrical insulating materials at cryogenic temperature, commercially available material, processability
Energy Efficient Buildings: review of materials, products and engineering principles currently available, thermal mass, electrically heated/shaded windows
Accomplishments:
Comprehensive reports on the following subjects:
HTS Applications, Cryogenic Insulation, Energy Storage, Energy Efficient Buildings, Compressed Air Energy Storage
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy
(June 1993 - July 1997) Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Superconductivity
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England, UK
1) R&D
Activities:
Developed technique to induce optimum microstructure in superconductors by heat treating material containing a random 2 dimensional distribution of ceramic fibres
Innovated a novel method for making high current electrical contacts to superconductors, measured current transfer characteristics between metal contact and ceramic superconductor
Analysed current transfer, power dissipation, interface properties, microstructure
Accomplishments:
MPhil
Thesis: A Composite Superconductor for Power Engineering Applications
The following articles were published in peer review journals:
“ Modelling of current transfer in current contacts to anisotropic bulk superconductors”, EUCAS 1997, IOP Conference Series, No. 158, Vol. 2, p.1619-1622
“Power dissipation at high current CRT Bi‑2212 SC‑Ag contacts”, EUCAS 1997, IOP Conference Series, No. 158, Vol. 2, p.1623-1626
“Texture and critical current anisotropy in composite reaction textured MgO whisker/Bi-2212 multilayer structures”, IEEE Trans. on Appl. Superconductivity, Vol. 5, No. 2, June 1995, p.1467‑1470.
2) Pilot Plant Development
Activities:
Set up pilot plant for producing high aspect ratio ceramic fibres following training at Technical University of Denmark - Lyngby
Developed pilot plant for producing thermoplastic composite superconductor precursors consisting of a rubber mill, sigma blade mixer, warm press, lamination, tape casting
Accomplishments:
The following articles were...
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