Zero Point Cryogenics

⌛Physics Friday⏳ Do you know what the coldest naturally occurring place in the universe is?🌌 The Boomerang Nebula is the coldest naturally occurring place in the universe, with temperatures as low as 1 Kelvin (-272 degrees Celsius, or -458 degrees Fahrenheit). It reaches this temperature through rapid adiabatic expansion, the Joule-Thomson effect, where gas (from a dying star) rushes outward, and in this case, creates a planetary nebula. The Boomerang Nebula is unique because it's losing mass about 100 times quicker than other similar stars. The reason as to why is still not confirmed, though data from the ALMA radioscope array suggests that it may be a result of a cosmic collision. The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) Radiation is the 2.7 K leftover heat from the Big Bang and is the average temperature of empty space. Typically, the average nebula (10 K to 10,000 K) is cooled by the CMB, however, the Boomerang Nebula's expansion is so powerful that it's actually absorbing the CMB radiation. It is currently the only place in nature that acts as a "heat sink" for the rest of the universe. While this galactic object is impressive, at ZPC our world-class dilution refrigerators allow us to reach temperatures over 100 times colder (10 mK), making them the coldest temperatures in the known universe. If you want to learn how we do this, stay tuned for our next LinkedIn newsletter, which walks through how we get from 300 K (room temperature) down to 10 mK. #BoomerangNebula #Cryogenics #Science #PhysicsFriday #ColderforLonger #ZeroPoint

Welcome, Zero Point Cryogenics' full-time Installation Technician: Andrew Kistner! Andrew is a Journeyman Automotive Technician and a recent NAIT Electronics Engineering graduate. With 20 years of experience in the oil sands mining industry, he specializes in heavy-duty equipment repair and maintenance planning. In his free time, Andrew enjoys cycling and spending time outdoors with his wife and kids. Welcome to the team, Andrew! #NewHire #InstallationTechnician #ZeroPoint #Cryogenics #ColderForLonger

The Model L - Scattering Cryostat 🔬 It's been three months since we introduced the Model L - Scattering, a beamline cryostat designed specifically for neutron and x-ray experiments. This system utilizes our integrated dilution refrigerator to deliver the stability and atypical geometries required for high-precision materials characterization. 🔗 Read the full post: zpcryo.com/highlights/int… #Cryogenics #ZPC #MaterialsScience #CanadianInnovation #ColderForLonger #NeutronBeamline

⌛Physics Friday⏳ Do you know about the Ig Nobel Prize? The Ig Nobel Prize was founded in 1991 by Marc Abrahams and the Annals of Improbable Research. The ceremony annually honors ten scientific achievements for research that makes people laugh... then think. These awards celebrate unusual or creative research, and playfully riff on the word "ignoble". Winners are presented their awards by actual Nobel laureates during a chaotic ceremony, initiated by the throwing of paper airplanes, a metaphor for the lighthearted approach to serious science. Recipients receive abstract prizes—such as a 10 Trillion Zimbabwean dollar note. Ultimately, the Ig Nobel Prize proves that even the most imaginative research deserves recognition for bringing serious scientific work to a global audience. Some of ZPC's favorite Ig Nobel Prizes are listed below: 🐸Levitating frogs with a magnetic field: iopscience.iop.org/article/10.108… 🍝Phase transitions leading to clumpy pasta sauce: doi.org/10.1063/5.0255… 🥚How to un-boil a boiled egg using shear-stress-mediated refolding of proteins: https: doi.org/10.1002/cbic.2… #Cryogenics #Science #PhysicsFriday #IgNobelPrize #NobelPrize

Mental Health Awareness Month at Zero Point Cryogenics 🧠 At ZPC, we’re dedicated to pushing boundaries while staying true to one of our four core values: Enjoy Life. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re reminding our community that innovation is only possible when we prioritize our own well-being. Take a moment to breathe, recharge, and stay balanced. 😌 #MentalHealthAwareness #ZeroPointCryogenics #Cryogenics #ColderForLonger

⌛Physics Friday⏳ Did you know about the history of the polar and spherical coordinate system? Polar coordinates are used to describe the position of an object on a 2D plane by defining a starting point (the pole, similar to the origin) and a reference direction (the polar axis). Instead of moving in "left-right" or "up-down", you simply rotate to an angle and move outward. Because these coordinates are perfectly suited for "round" or rotational problems, they are used daily in radar and sonar technology, maritime navigation, and tracking the orbits of planets and satellites. When you add a third dimension to account for depth or altitude in a curved space, you transition from 2D polar coordinates into 3D spherical or cylindrical coordinates (depending on the added dimension). Polar coordinates emerged in the late 17th century and were refined by mathematicians like Isaac Newton and Jacob Bernoulli. However, both polar and spherical coordinates can be seen all the way back to 190 B.C.E. from astronomers establishing star positions. By bridging the gap between circular geometry and complex algebra, these systems allow us to describe complex spirals and planetary spheres with simple, elegant formulas. #PolarCoordinates #SphericalCoordiantes #CoordinateSystem #Science #PhysicsFriday #ZeroPoint

ZPC at Northwestern Quantum Week ⚛️ Dr. John P. Davis had a fantastic time at Northwestern Quantum Week, fostering connections between quantum research scientists, industry leaders, and other experts dedicated to quantum innovation. A highlight of the trip was touring the facility at @QCHardware alongside Dr. Johannes Pollanen, Dr. David Rees, and Dr. Niyaz Beysengulov. #QuantumComputing #Northwestern #NorthwesternQuantumWeek #TechInnovation #ZPC #ColderforLonger

ZPC at the ISIG Quantum Computing Infra Summit 2026! ⚛️ Chris Cassin and David Lang had a fantastic time at the ISIG QC Infra Summit last week! The Plug and Play Center was the perfect hub to connect with so many innovative teams and visionaries. It’s always inspiring to see the rapid evolution of quantum infrastructure firsthand. We're proud to build the critical cooling systems that will make quantum technology possible worldwide. ❄️ #QuantumComputing #ISIG2026 #TechInnovation #ZPC #Infrastructure

⌛Physics Friday⏳ Did you know about the history of the Cartesian coordinate system? The Cartesian coordinate system is used to describe the position of an object in 2D or 3D space by defining a starting point (the origin) where axes intersect. In 3D space, these lines are defined as the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. Because these coordinates are well-suited to "box-shaped" or linear problems, they are used daily in architecture, computer graphics, construction, 3D printing, CNC machining, and more. This system is so fundamental today that it feels like a law of nature, but it was actually a revolutionary invention of the 17th century. Developed by the French mathematician and philosopher René Descartes, this system bridges a gap between algebra and Euclidean geometry, changing math forever. Suddenly, a point became an ordered pair (x, y), a line became an equation y = mx + b, and a circle became a defined formula with an origin point and a radius. Some more complex scenarios, like curved paths of rocket orbits, require a more compatible coordinate system. Next week, we’ll explore the history and use of polar coordinates. #Cartesian #CoordinateSystem #Science #PhysicsFriday #ZeroPoint

Getting ready for the future of tech at the ISIG Quantum Computing Infra Summit 2026! 🚀 Tomorrow, ZPC will be hosting a table at the ISIG QC Infra Summit in Silicon Valley, and we can’t wait to connect with you in person. Come meet Chris Cassin (CEO) and David Lang (CFO) to chat about the latest infrastructure trends, grab some exclusive insights, and see what we’ve been building. We’ll see you at the summit! #ISIG #Cryogenics #ZeroPoint #MadeInCanada #Innovation #Dilution #DilFridge

Welcome, Zero Point Cryogenics' full-time Polishing and Maintenance employee: Billy Felker! Billy brings 10 years of expertise from roles in warehouse management. He stays active through downhill skateboarding and enjoys gaming and catching live performances, with a particular affinity for stand-up comedy and concerts. Above all, Billy cherishes time with his wife and son. Welcome to the team, Billy! #NewHire #Polishing #Maintenance #ZeroPointCryogenics #Cryogenics

⌛Physics Friday⏳ Have you heard of the ACM A.M. Turing Award recipients for quantum computing? For World Quantum Day this week, we’re celebrating Canadian pioneer Gilles Brassard, who was just awarded the ACM A.M. Turing Award. The award recognizes lasting and major technical contributions to the field of computer science, named in honour of British mathematician and "father of computing science", Alan M. Turing. He shared the honor with Charles Henry Bennett for their 40-year quantum journey. In 1984, Brassard and Bennett created the BB84 protocol—the first quantum cryptography protocol—which uses the law that quantum states cannot be measured without disturbance to create, essentially, unbreakable cryptographic keys. Later in 1993, they co-discovered quantum teleportation, proving that entanglement could "beam" information between distant particles. Their later work on entanglement distillation provided instructions for scaling these effects to advance quantum communications worldwide. This award isn't the result of one paper or one discovery, but rather an accumulation of quantum breakthroughs that have shaped the quantum world we know today. #PhysicsFridays #ZeroPoint #Cryogenics #Dilution #TuringAward #NobelPrize

Welcome, Zero Point Cryogenics' full-time Machinist: Brandon McIntosh! Brandon is a Red Seal Machinist with a strong foundation in both manual and CNC machining. Before joining ZPC, he spent several years at D.F. Boiler Tube Industries, where he specialized in high-pressure components. Interestingly, he also has a unique background as an orchestral string instrument technician! When he’s not at the machine, Brandon is likely leaning into his musical side—whether he’s making music with his son, his band, or heading out to a show. Welcome to the team, Brandon! #NewHire #Machinist #ZeroPointCryogenics #Cryogenics

Our APS 2026 Recap! 🏔️ From partnership reveals to the latest in cryogenic innovation, we’re recapping our top highlights from the APS Global Physics Summit 2026. See what’s next for Zero Point Cryogenics and how we’re helping the community move straight to the science. Didn't get to attend? Watch a short video recap here: youtube.com/watch?v=j59E03… Read the full recap here: zpcryo.com/highlights/aps… #QuantumComputing #APS2026 #Cryogenics #Innovation #ColderForLonger

Zero Point Cryogenics' Phase Separation Refrigerator🧊 ZPC’s Phase Separation Refrigerator (PSR) showcases the synergy between R&D and manufacturing, turning innovative research into a reliable, real-time system. The PSR is uniquely designed to provide the precision needed for complex tasks without the over-specification of more expensive units, while still offering seamless upgradeability to a full dilution refrigerator. Since receiving its US Patent and the publication of our research in the APS journal Physical Review Applied (journals.aps.org/prapplied/abst…), the PSR has become a reliable reality in labs worldwide. The "middle ground" of cryogenics—specifically the 500 mK to 0.9 K range—was a logistical headache. Researchers and industry were forced to pay much more for dilution refrigerators or helium-3 cryostats, but these came with much colder temperatures or lower cooling powers that were often not ideal. The PSR exploits the phase separation of helium in an evaporative technique to create a system that delivers steady-state temperatures as low as 500 mK with high cooling power, all while drastically reducing the reliance on scarce helium-3. Visit zpcryo.com to learn more about our PSR! #Cryogenics #Dilution #PSR #PhaseSeparation #QuantumComputing

Did you about how Artemis II will return to Earth tonight at Mach 32 (11 km/s or 7 miles/s)? 🚀 The re-entry that the Orion spacecraft will experience tonight is the most violent part of the trip's physics profile. Re-entry thermodynamics state that Orion must dissipate a massive amount of kinetic energy as thermal energy. Orion's kinetic energy of around 560 Gigajoules will be converted into thermal energy, providing a "softer" landing at Mach 32. Atmospheric friction is only around 10% of the heat generated from re-entry. The other 90% of the heat is caused by the adiabatic compression of the air in front of the heat shield. The capsule's speed is moving faster than the gas particles can move out of the way. This creates a discontinuous pressure wave called a bow shock, where the air is compressed so violently that the gas becomes a plasma, where electrons are stripped from nitrogen and oxygen atoms. The shield will reach temperatures of 2,760°C (5,000°F) - around half of the sun's surface temperature. The shield uses an ablative material called Avcoat, which undergoes pyrolysis, a process where the material chemically decomposes and chars, carrying the heat away from the capsule in a controlled manner. Artemis II will utilize the 'skip maneuver', which is like skipping a flat stone across a pond, but the 'pond' is Earth’s atmosphere and the 'stone' is a 9,300 kg spaceship. The bow shock and pyrolysis occur when Orion hits the Earth's atmosphere. Then, because the capsule is weighted to fly at a tilt, it catches the air and generates lift like a wing. This 'skip' tosses the spacecraft back into the vacuum of space, giving the heat shield time to cool down before the final descent. #ArtemisII #NASA #CSA #Science #PhysicsFriday

❄️ Zero Point Cryogenics is hiring organization-wide. If you believe you’re a good fit for any of these openings, make sure to apply! 🖥️ Chief Operations Officer: zpcryo.com/current-postin… ⚙️ Installation Technician: zpcryo.com/current-postin… 🛠️ Production Technician: zpcryo.com/current-postin… 🎛️ Quality/Inventory Control Technician: zpcryo.com/current-postin… 📊 R&D Technician: zpcryo.com/current-postin… 🧑‍🔬 Senior R&D Scientist: zpcryo.com/current-postin… 👀 Production Supervisor: zpcryo.com/current-postin… 🔧 Machinist: zpcryo.com/current-postin… 🧮 Inventory Clerk: zpcryo.com/current-postin… #Hiring #MadeInCanada #Cryogenics #Manufacturing #TechJobs

Our APS 2026 Giveaway Winner!🏆 Meet Dr. Geoffrey M. Diederich, our Oura Ring winner and an Assistant Professor at UMBC! They achieved their Ph.D. at the University of Denver in 2019, studying ultrafast coherent spectroscopy. They now lead a cutting-edge condensed matter research group. Geoffrey’s lab blends the study of quantum materials with state-of-the-art optical spectroscopy. When they aren't pushing the boundaries of physics, Geoffrey is likely busy with synthesizers, video games, or a great bowl of noodles. We’re thrilled to celebrate their research and hope this Oura Ring helps them stay balanced between the lab and life at home with their cats! #Cryogenics #APS2026 #BuiltThroughTeamwork #ZeroPoint #Innovation #Dilution

Welcome, Zero Point Cryogenics' full-time Marketing Coordinator: Sophie Gans! Sophie has a BSc in Astrophysics and a passion for digital media, marketing, and science communication. Her research experience at the UltraCold Quantum Gases Lab sparked her interest in quantum technology and cryogenics. In her free time, Sophie enjoys playing guitar, watching movies, and listening to music on her record player. Welcome to the team, Sophie! #NewHire #Marketing #ZeroPointCryogenics #Cryogenics

⌛Physics Friday⏳ Have you heard of the nuclear physicist who was nominated for the Nobel Prize 49 times, but never won? Lise Meitner was a pioneering Austrian-Swedish physicist who played a monumental role in the discovery of nuclear fission, a feat for which her collaborator Otto Hahn received the 1944 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, while she was unjustly overlooked. Meitner also provided the crucial theoretical explanation for the splitting of the atomic nucleus, famously realizing that the "missing" mass was converted into energy according to E=mc². Meitner's brilliant mind was not enough to overcome the systemic gender bias she faced during her career. In addition to being overlooked for the Nobel Prize in 1944, she was nominated an additional 48 separate times (18 in chemistry, 30 in physics) between 1924 and 1967, but never won. #PhysicsFridays #ZeroPoint #Cryogenics #Dilution #WomenInStem #NobelPrize