Interview: sharing the ice cold facts...

Time for another Expertise Exchange, where we introduce colleagues with unique sets of critical expertise – happy to share with you what they know! Join us as we talk with cryogenic specialist Daniel Willems. He's happy to share the ice-cold facts…

Let’s start with what we do in Eindhoven, for those not yet in the know.

“Our Eindhoven team designs and builds cryogenic coolers. These coolers use mechanical components to cool applications such as sensors down to extremely low temperatures – typically to around minus 200 degrees Celsius. When I started in this field, this was mostly done to cool down optical sensors needed for infrared cameras; now it’s used for other types of sensors as well. But why the coolers are used has essentially remained the same: you cool down your sensors to both prevent your gear from overheating, and to ensure a sharper image or clearer data with less noise. Our cooler designs are particularly durable, some can last over 30 years with hardly any maintenance. Very convenient if, say, you’re using it to cool part of a satellite in space.”

How did you end up in cryogenics?

“I studied Applied Physics, since I had a very broad interest in all things tech, and Applied Physics seemed to offer a solid foundation to get into many related fields. One of the physics departments at Eindhoven University of Technology focused on low-temperature physics, and it drew me in because it was a very hands-on fields of expertise. You can see the tangible effects of what you’re doing and creating. Make something extremely cold, ice forms, haha! I just got hooked.

Cryo is not a huge field, so over the years you tend to run into the same people and company at related events. Eventually you get to know all local parties pretty well. I’d already done an internship at Thales – then ‘Signaal USFA’ – in the past when they approached me about an open position. I agreed to do the interview, and it just clicked with the team. They were doing really cool projects, no pun intended. Right place, right time.”

What have been some of your favourite projects?

“There have been many! For instance, a few years ago we ran a project funded by the Netherlands Space Office (NSO) together with a 3D-printing company, the Netherlands Aerospace Center (NLR), and the European Space Agency on cryogenic cooling parts that needed to be both very cost effective and 3D printable. It forced us to look at the system from a conceptual level, using additive manufacturing: where you build something layer by layer. We had to optimise the additive manufacturing process itself to make it suitable for cryogenic coolers, we had to reinvent the calculation and simulation methods to optimize the coolers, and we had to define new methods for quality and product assurance. In the end, we managed to greatly improve the original designs; the efficiency was improved by 20 percent and the weight was reduced by 50 percent. Both are very important for the cost-effective space applications that the developments were intended for.”

How has your work changed over the years?

“I started out in 2007 as an R&D Engineer, contributing to different projects. Again, very hands-on, and over time you build up your knowledge, your skills. I started to do more research, more in-depth development, added more project management…  More responsibility. I also managed my own team for a while, but decided that was not for me.

Managing your team well means spending less time on the actual technical subject matter. And I realised I didn’t want to do less cryogenics work! On the contrary, I wanted to keep learning more, and help others build that expertise as well. That is a true strength of Thales, by the way. You can grow within the company in more ways than one. If you want to become a knowledge leader, share your expertise with others… that matters too. That Thales offers different development paths is a great thing.”

What do you do now, as a senior specialist?

“Much of what I did before but more in-depth, and now I do a lot more coaching of new colleagues, for example. I also enjoy giving presentations on cryogenics to Thales coworkers from all kinds of departments. And I joined several educational initiatives outside of Thales, one of them at the Fontys University of Applied Sciences. For instance, I’m a member of an educational board that helps check the topics and quality of lesson materials, and I’m occasionally on graduation committees. I like to give guest lectures. I feel it’s my responsibility to give back when I can.

Students play such an important role in the future of our field. And it’s always smart to stay close to your local colleges and universities. You’ll have the opportunity to attract the best students for your internships and job openings.”

What’s the secret to sharing knowledge effectively?

“Remember, this is not something I was trained for, so I can only share my personal opinion. I think being passionate about what you do gets you gets you most of the way. Patience also helps! 

If you give a guest lecture, make sure it’s interactive, and listen to how students respond to you. Their responses will teach you what they are interested in, how much they already know, what they struggle with… and you can adjust accordingly. Be open to making knowledge sharing a true cooperation, not a one-way street. If I can get a group of students excited about my presentation, that can make my day! It’s incredibly motivating to help people get ahead.”