The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. Receives Approval for International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Registration

As of October 13, 2009, we are an International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registered company. We are proud to announce the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs decision to approve our ITAR registration. ITAR is a set of regulations created to control the manufacture, export and transfer of defense articles, information, and services. These regulations work to keep defense technology and information within the hands of U.S. persons only. The U.S. Department of State is the only body that can grant special approvals for outside subjects.

We are now the only cryogenic service provider that we know of that is an ITAR registered company. This will better help us serve our defense industry customers with their most sensitive projects. Our company has put controls and procedures in place to act in compliance with ITAR issued regulations. The U.S. Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) now recognizes the Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. to work with all branches of the U.S. military. The DDTC enforces ITAR registration under authority created by the Arms Export Control Act (AECA).

Any ITAR related projects will be protected with the highest levels of security and confidentiality at the Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. It is expected that defense, aerospace, and optics industry suppliers will be better served by our company with the addition of ITAR registration.

We have many customers and potential customers that require ITAR registered vendors. Our services including cryogenic deburring, cryogenic deflashing, cryogenic treatment, liquid helium processing, thermal cycling and shrink fitting may now be used by customers with ITAR related projects. That way, their projects are protected and confidential while receiving our high-quality cryogenic services. We take pride in this new development and will continue to better serve our customers in any way possible.

Cryo Treating Audio Equipment and Components

For many years we have offered cryogenic treatment for audio equipment. Musical applications for cryo treatment include audio tubes, guitar strings, brass instruments, speakers, cables, pedals, microphones, harmonicas, and even amplifiers. However, recently some customers have decided to conduct experiments with our helium cryogenic processing service. A typical cryogenic treatment uses liquid nitrogen and normally achieves temperatures as low as -310°F. Helium processing allows temperatures to drop as low as -450°F which allows even further relief of residual stresses and increased dimensional stability.

Cryo treated equipment presents many observable results. Our customer, Charlie Kersch, noticed an extended dynamic range in his treated musical components. He also mentioned that high notes were much clearer and had less distortion. Overall, he believes that the sound quality of his components was improved. At the same time, audio component life should be extended as well.

If one wants to cryogenically treat their audio components then they should know that some parts cannot be treated and may require disassembly. In particular, plastic parts sometimes become brittle and crack during the cryogenic process. Therefore, if you want to treat an audio cable that has plastic termination plugs, then you may want to see if removing it is possible prior to cryogenic treatment. The bottom line is that metal and plastic items should be loosened or taken apart to protect plastic parts from any adverse affects.

For more information about cryogenic treatment visit http://www.nitrofreeze.com/services/conventional-cryogenic-treatment/. For more information about cryogenic helium processing visit http://www.nitrofreeze.com/services/custom-cryogenic-processing/helium-processing/.

I asked our customer, Charlie Kersch, the following questions via email.

1. What processes did you use? Cryogenic treatment? Cryogenic helium processing? Or both?
2. What did you treat in particular? What processes were used on these components?
3. What immediate results did you see after treatment? Were they quantifiable (IE. Did you do actual tests or are the results by ear?)?
4. What are your impressions of cryogenic treatment and/or helium processing?

His response is below.

Hello Ryan,

I am finally finding the time to return your E-mail.

I have been using both nitrogen and helium cryogenic processing. I have been trying to fing a balance between cost and results.

Nitro/cryo. items included; cables (patch, speaker, instrument, power, USB), harmonicas, analog guitar effects pedals, analog wah pedal, microphones. He/cryo. items include vacuum tubes, a Vox AC-15 handwired combo amp with a Celestion Alnico Blue speaker and instrument cables. Currently being treated are more of the same and a Hammond melodica with internal mic pick-up.

I have used quantitative test results done by others to guide what process I try. Results in my equipment have been judged by ear only. I have been on the lookout for a simple software program for documenting changes that may be observable on an oscilloscope.

I have noticed an extended dynamic range in treated equipment. High notes in particular are clearer and less brittle sounding. Longevity of equipment should be improving dramatically, but will take some time to know for sure.

I was pleasantly surprised the Vox combo-amp worked immediately on putting it back together and turning it on. One of the vacuum tubes had an dampening sleeve which cracked apart. That particular tube and the rectifier tube both developed sympathetic resonance at certain frequencies. I am not sure if the cryo treatment or poor quality tubes were to blame. I replaced both tubes with some cryo'ed NOS tubes of better quality. It's now my favorite amp to play through. I have a Fender and Victoriette to try next.

Some plastic parts cracked. Some adhesives failed. One instrument cable had the outer cover crack along its entire length; its matching partner was unscathed. The plastic part of a banana plug cracked.
The plastic comb in a harmonica cracked. Cracked plastic was repaired with cyanoacrylate and are perfectly utile.

The harmonicas played more like broken-in instruments. The reeds respond faster and bend easier. I wear out all my harmonicas by wailing loud on the bends. I am waiting to see how well the cryo'ed harps last. I sent in a couple more to be treated. Those I disassembled to avoid cracking the plastic. Any combo metal-plastic items should be loosened or taken apart for treatment.

Overall I have pleased with results. Noting better sound quality and anticipating better longevity. I would most like to see someone do objective testing on the difference between Helium process and multiple treatments with nitrogen. So far I have been able to compare cables treated with helium to those treated once with nitrogen. The sound difference was easily audible; esp. in the high frequency range. The Helium cables also become much more flexible compared to the Nitro cables.

Guitar strings play more like broken-in strings and stay bright longer in both tone and visually.


Sincerely,

Charlie Kersch

Cryogenic Helium Processing

This is a press release that was made about a month ago. However, I wanted to add it to our blog, so that other people can see it.

Cryogenic Helium Processing Approaches New Levels of Affordability

Worcester, MA – June 30, 2008 – The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. introduces a new capability of utilizing liquid helium for cryogenic treatment of materials to temperatures as low as 4K /-268C/-451F. Measurements were recorded by attaching a spring loaded silicone diode cryogenic temperature sensor rated to 1.4K with a calibrated accuracy of +/- 10mK.

The procedure involves the utilization of a specially modified cryogenic chamber that was designed and constructed in collaboration with technology partner Applied Cryogenics Inc. The chamber utilizes multiple dedicated delivery systems for introduction of both liquid nitrogen and liquid helium. The system also utilizes an advanced insulation scheme that involves a combination of sophisticated polyisoanurate materials, as well as vacuum and liquid nitrogen jackets for maximum effectiveness. A proprietary method for controlling the delivery of the helium to the chamber enables controlled rates of temperature change.

According to Robin Rhodes, President of Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc., the capability grew from the needs of its aerospace customers who sought extreme temperature cycling for residual stress relief of critical components. “It was a natural extension for us to push beyond the limits of liquid nitrogen (77K/-196C/-320F), where we work every day, into the coldest cryogens available”, Rhodes stated. The company reported that they have delivered controlled cryogenic treatment profiles at temperatures ranging from 16K to 4K (-257C/-430F to -268C/-451F) over a dozen times in the past year. The temperatures and profiles were specified by the firm’s customers, who Rhodes declined to identify because of confidentiality agreements.

While the majority of applications have been related to aerospace, the firm has also offered the capability to researchers and other industries, including electronics. Cost for the treatment varies, depending on ramp and soak times, but Rhodes estimates that his firm can offer a near absolute zero treatment cycle (to 4K) for less than 30% of the cost of similar processing as offered through governmental and other research organizations. “We feel that we have a real price breakthrough that will lead to further commercialization of ultra deep cryogenic treatments for residual stress relief and other transformations in materials”, Mr. Rhodes stated.

The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc., located at 90 Ellsworth St. Worcester, MA, is dedicated to the commercial application of cryogenic technologies to serve the needs of industry, government and scientists. The firm offers a full range of cryogenic services, including conventional cryogenic treatment, heat & freeze thermal cycling, cryogenic deflashing & deburring services, shrink fitting services, and dry ice (CO2) blast cleaning. It also offers engineering services, cryogenic lab work in support of R & D, and custom equipment design for new and unique cryogenic applications. It is a corporate sustaining member of the Cryogenic Society of America. To learn more visit http://www.nitrofreeze.com/.