Dr. Matthew Jewell, Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering, November 6, 2024

Superconductors enable some of the world’s most exotic science machines, including particle accelerators and nuclear fusion reactors, by acting as very large electromagnets operating with zero electrical resistance. However, as the current and field requirements of these machines increase, so do the demands on the materials that make up the superconducting wire. In this presentation, we’ll explore novel techniques developed here at UWEC to help assess the manufacturing readiness of next-generation superconducting composite materials.

Matt is a professor and department chair in Materials Science & Biomedical Engineering here at UW - Eau Claire. After receiving his Ph.D. from UW-Madison in 2008, he spent three glorious years in the south of France at the nuclear fusion project ITER, before taking up his current faculty position. His research interests are in the metallurgy and mechanical properties of superconducting materials. On campus he enjoys working with the CERCA Quick Pitch program, the Christian Faculty Network, and advising several student groups. He and his wife Jodi have four great kids ages 15 – 20, and in his copious free time you will find him riding a bike.