Research Aide - AES - Meem, Taieba - 3.23.26

Argonne National Laboratory•Lemont, IL

6d•$22 - $31

About The Position

The student will continue work initiated in the 2024 Lee Teng Internship, refining calculations of heat transfer from the short-pulse x-rays in LCLS to the diamond mirrors and evaluating improvements to the holder design to achieve more efficient, more uniform, and more stable thermal conduction. Building on the earlier effort, the project will be expanded to analyze the full CBXFEL assembly in its entirety, with the goal of maintaining the small diamond window at a nearly constant temperature during operation. This will include assessing the thermal behavior of the existing configuration, identifying both heating and cooling mechanisms that may be applied, and evaluating the use of novel materials and interface strategies to improve temperature uniformity and thermal stability. The current design employs PZT motors; however, the project will also examine potential design improvements through replacement with stepper motors, where appropriate. Such mechatronics evaluation will be carried out alongside the thermal and mechanical analysis before the decision matrix is finalized. The student will also contribute to development of an integrated thermal-management approach that considers practical implementation, including mechatronic elements for monitoring and control, so that the optimized assembly can support reliable and repeatable performance.

Requirements

The entirety of the appointment must be conducted within the United States.
Applicants must be: Currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution. Graduated from an accredited institution within the past 3 months; or Actively enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution.
Must be 18 years or older at the time the appointment begins.
Must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
If accepting an offer, candidates may be required to complete pre-employment drug testing based on appointment length. All students remain subject to applicable drug testing policies.
Must complete a satisfactory background check.

Responsibilities

Refining calculations of heat transfer from the short-pulse x-rays in LCLS to the diamond mirrors
Evaluating improvements to the holder design to achieve more efficient, more uniform, and more stable thermal conduction
Analyzing the full CBXFEL assembly in its entirety, with the goal of maintaining the small diamond window at a nearly constant temperature during operation
Assessing the thermal behavior of the existing configuration
Identifying both heating and cooling mechanisms that may be applied
Evaluating the use of novel materials and interface strategies to improve temperature uniformity and thermal stability
Examining potential design improvements through replacement with stepper motors
Contributing to development of an integrated thermal-management approach that considers practical implementation, including mechatronic elements for monitoring and control