{"id":1181,"date":"2024-02-14T09:41:13","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T14:41:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/2024\/02\/14\/an-instrumental-place\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T00:09:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T04:09:57","slug":"an-instrumental-place","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/2024\/02\/14\/an-instrumental-place\/","title":{"rendered":"An Instrumental Place"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-lead wp-block-paragraph\">On the ground floor of Cox Hall, Chris Hewett runs the <a href=\"https:\/\/physics.sciences.ncsu.edu\/\">Department of Physics<\/a> Instrument Shop, where he\u2019s been building custom prototype equipment for researchers across campus for the past 19 years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default right-aside\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bae.ncsu.edu\/researchshop\/\" class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-fact ncst-fact with-cta has-red-400-text-color\" data-ua-cat=\"Fact Block\" data-ua-action=\"URL Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/www.bae.ncsu.edu\/researchshop\/\"><span class=\"ncst-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" size=\"75\"><path d=\"M194.17 245.78c16.35-11.24 28.62-27.59 35.77-46l17.37 4.09 9.2-40.88-15.33-5.11v-4.08c0-19.41-5.11-36.79-13.28-53.14l13.28-11.24-24.53-32.7L201.33 68C186 55.7 168.62 46.5 148.18 43.43V25h-40.87v18.43C87.89 47.52 70.52 56.72 55.19 70L40.88 58.76l-26.57 32.7 15.33 11.25c-9.2 16.35-12.27 33.72-12.27 52.12v5.11L0 163l7.15 40.88 17.38-4.09c7.15 18.4 21.46 33.73 36.79 46l-7.16 16.35L91 279.51l7.16-16.36a98.62 98.62 0 0 0 29.63 4.09 98.69 98.69 0 0 0 29.64-4.09l7.15 16.36 36.8-17.38Zm-66.43-28.61a63.37 63.37 0 1 1 63.37-63.37 63.69 63.69 0 0 1-63.37 63.37Z\"><\/path><path d=\"M127.74 101.68a52.12 52.12 0 1 0 52.12 52.12 52.35 52.35 0 0 0-52.12-52.12Zm0 69.5c-10.22 0-17.37-7.16-17.37-17.38s7.15-17.37 17.37-17.37 17.38 7.15 17.38 17.37-7.12 17.38-17.38 17.38ZM493.6 323.45l18.4-4.09-9.2-40.88-18.39 4.09A177.62 177.62 0 0 0 466 248.85l13.29-13.29-28.62-29.64-13.27 13.29a178 178 0 0 0-33.73-18.4l5.11-19.41-40.88-9.2-4.08 18.39c-12.27-1-26.57 0-38.84 2l-7.15-17.37L279 188.55l7.16 18.4a131.54 131.54 0 0 0-30.66 22.48l-16.35-12.26-24.53 33.72L231 263.15c-6.13 11.25-11.24 23.51-13.28 35.77l-21.46-1-2.05 40.88 19.42 1a196 196 0 0 0 7.15 36.79l-17.37 9.2 19.42 36.79 17.37-9.2A117.61 117.61 0 0 0 267.75 441l-10.22 17.38 34.75 19.41 10.22-17.37c6.13 2.05 12.26 4.09 18.39 5.11s12.27 2 18.4 2l1 19.42 40.88-2-1-19.42c12.26-2 24.52-7.15 35.77-13.28l11.24 16.35L460.9 444l-11.24-16.35c9.2-9.2 17.37-18.4 23.51-30.66l18.39 7.15 15.33-38.83-17.37-6.13c4.08-10.18 4.08-23.47 4.08-35.73Zm-141 88.91a81.76 81.76 0 1 1 81.75-81.76 81.35 81.35 0 0 1-81.77 81.76Z\"><\/path><path d=\"M352.58 260.09c-39.86 0-70.52 32.7-70.52 70.51s32.7 70.52 70.52 70.52c39.85 0 70.51-32.7 70.51-70.52s-30.66-70.51-70.51-70.51Zm0 98.11c-16.36 0-28.62-12.27-28.62-28.62S336.22 301 352.58 301s28.61 12.26 28.61 28.61-12.26 28.59-28.61 28.59Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h2 class=\"fact__heading\">2 Shops on Campus<\/h2><p class=\"fact__support\">The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering also has a machine shop to build custom equipment for NC&#160;State researchers.<\/p><p class=\"fact__cta\"><span class=\"text\">Explore the BAE research shop<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/p><\/a>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the shop, machinists Hewett, Gary Lofton and Joe McElveen use a variety of machine tools \u2014 including lathes, drill presses, saws, manual and hydraulic shears, press brakes and Computer Numerical Control machines \u2014 to help faculty and graduate students bring their designs to life. Many of these are small gadgets that researchers use to carry out a variety of activities, like tracking how ants carry fungus from one area of the forest to another or performing microscopic brain surgery on fruit flies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Collectively, the three of us have nearly 100 years of machining experience to contribute to NC&#160;State&#8217;s research,\u201d said Hewett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/physics-instrument-shop-gadgets.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/physics-instrument-shop-gadgets-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"An assortment of small prototype gadgets built by the Department of Physics Instrument Shop\" class=\"wp-image-768395\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Many of the gadgets made at the Department of Physics Instrument Shop are small, one-off pieces.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Having machining services available for researchers on campus isn\u2019t only convenient. It\u2019s essential. <\/strong>Experimental physicists, for instance, often need equipment that can\u2019t be bought anywhere.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default left-aside\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-fact ncst-fact has-red-400-text-color\"><span class=\"ncst-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" size=\"75\"><path d=\"M501.33 184a47.51 47.51 0 0 0-19.2 22.4 78 78 0 0 1 17.07 14.93 38.46 38.46 0 0 1 12.8-19.2ZM128 467.73h67.2v-54.4A276.14 276.14 0 0 1 128 382.4ZM312.53 466.67h67.2V382.4a212.21 212.21 0 0 1-67.2 29.87ZM453.33 210.67a29.38 29.38 0 0 0-9.6 1.06c-14.93-77.86-92.8-137.6-185.6-137.6a205.37 205.37 0 0 0-73.6 12.8L99.2 44.27v106.66a158.48 158.48 0 0 0-26.67 59.74H0v88.53h83.2c26.67 61.87 94.93 106.67 176 106.67S410.67 360 436.27 294.93a50.2 50.2 0 0 0 18.13 4.27 43.94 43.94 0 0 0 43.73-43.73 45.76 45.76 0 0 0-44.8-44.8ZM149.76 222.4h-.43a17.07 17.07 0 1 1 17.07-17.07 16.85 16.85 0 0 1-16.64 17.07Zm119.78 96.75a24.08 24.08 0 0 1-8.21.32v11.73h-10.66v-12.8a21.33 21.33 0 0 1-13.87-9.6v9.6h-14.93v-34.13h16c0 9.6 3.2 20.26 12.8 22.4v-30.94l-5.34-2.13c-12.8-5.33-22.4-10.67-22.4-25.6a26.89 26.89 0 0 1 24.82-28.8 26.44 26.44 0 0 1 4 0v-11.73h10.65v12.8a20.64 20.64 0 0 1 11.73 8.53v-7.47H288v32h-16c-1.07-11.73-4.27-18.13-11.73-20.26v28.8l5.33 2.13a44.48 44.48 0 0 1 17.07 9.6 25.11 25.11 0 0 1 5.33 17.07 24 24 0 0 1-18.46 28.48Zm40.86-185.28a140.35 140.35 0 0 0-55.47-10.67 140.26 140.26 0 0 0-55.46 10.67v-22.4a140.26 140.26 0 0 1 55.46-10.67 140.35 140.35 0 0 1 55.47 10.67Zm144 143h-1.1a24.4 24.4 0 0 1-11.73-3.2 176.66 176.66 0 0 0 4.27-34.13v-5.34a15.7 15.7 0 0 1 7.46-1.06 22.5 22.5 0 0 1 22.4 22.4 21.33 21.33 0 0 1-21.27 21.29Z\"><\/path><path d=\"M261.33 280v26.67a12.81 12.81 0 0 0 9.6-12.8c1.07-8.54-3.2-11.74-9.6-13.87ZM241.07 244.8c0 7.47 4.26 10.67 10.66 12.8V232c-2.13 0-4.26 2.13-6.4 3.2a15.86 15.86 0 0 0-4.26 9.6Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h2 class=\"fact__heading\">$36 Per Hour<\/h2><p class=\"fact__support\">The Department of Physics Instrument Shop charges a fraction of the cost of private machine shops, which can charge up to $125 per hour.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn experimental physics, we have to build complicated parts for our research. Without the machine shop, it would be very difficult to do our research,\u201d said Ekaterina Korobkina, research associate in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ne.ncsu.edu\/\">Department of Nuclear Engineering<\/a> and graduate faculty in the Department of Physics. \u201cIt\u2019s complicated to find other machine shops that can do what we need them to do and for the price that we can afford.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Hewett, part of his job satisfaction comes from passing on his knowledge to help graduate students machine their own instruments \u2014 and from knowing that his own creations contribute to important research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSeeing all the different parts that we make, and hearing about what they do and what kind of experiments they\u2019re used in, it\u2019s pretty neat,\u201d he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Probe of the Early Universe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The instruments made in the shop range from small, handheld gadgets used in statistical probability tests to large structures used to explore the most confounding mysteries of the universe. One of the more ambitious projects Hewett and his team have taken on is the recently completed roundhouse, a large stainless steel cylinder where researchers will be able to store low-energy \u2014 or \u201cultracold\u201d \u2014 neutrons and select their energy distribution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For nearly a year, Hewett has been working with a number of NC&#160;State physicists \u2014 including Korobkina, physics department head Paul Huffman and doctoral students Clark Hickman and Cole Teander \u2014 to design and build the roundhouse.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/instrument-shop-roundhouse-group-photo.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/instrument-shop-roundhouse-group-photo-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Graduate physics students Cole Teander and Clark Hickman, and machinists Chris Hewett and Joe McElveen, are pictured with the roundhouse\" class=\"wp-image-767819\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left to right, pictured with the roundhouse: Graduate physics students Cole Teander and Clark Hickman and machinists Chris Hewett and Joe McElveen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/chris-joe-roundhouse.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/chris-joe-roundhouse-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Machinists Joe McElveen and Chris Hewett work on the roundhouse, a large steel cylinder that physicists will use to study low-energy neutrons\" class=\"wp-image-767837\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/chris-hewett-roundhouse-construction.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/chris-hewett-roundhouse-construction-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Machinist Chris Hewett works on the inside of the roundhouse, a large steel cylinder structure that physicists will use to study low-energy neutrons\" class=\"wp-image-767841\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The structure will be used in an experiment to better understand the origins of the universe.<\/strong> When the universe began, matter and antimatter collided. Antimatter has the opposite electric charge and magnetic strength and orientation as ordinary matter. In theory, if the universe had symmetry \u2014&nbsp;a perfect balance between matter and antimatter \u2014 nothing would exist because matter and antimatter annihilate each other when they come into contact. Given that we live in a universe made of matter, we know this did not happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default right-aside\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">Studying neutrons is a great probe of the early universe.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cThere\u2019s a fundamental asymmetry baked into the universe,\u201d<\/strong> said Teander.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The researchers are studying ultracold neutrons \u2014 which move slowly enough that they can be contained by normal matter, such as stainless steel or copper \u2014 to determine the reason behind this asymmetry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cStudying neutrons is a great probe of the early universe, because they were one of the dominant particles of the first 15 minutes of the universe,\u201d said Teander.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAnd they\u2019re one of the simplest,\u201d said Hickman.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\">\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-column\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/clark-hickman-assembling-roundhouse-motor-and-feedthrough.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/clark-hickman-assembling-roundhouse-motor-and-feedthrough-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Clark Hickman assembles the motor and feedthrough system of the roundhouse\" class=\"wp-image-768568\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clark Hickman assembles the motor and feedthrough system of the roundhouse. <em>Photos courtesy of Cole Teander.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roundhouse-transport-to-new-mexico.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roundhouse-transport-to-new-mexico-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The back of a van packed with research equipment\" class=\"wp-image-767844\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clark Hickman and Cole Teander drove the roundhouse and its accompanying components to New Mexico. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hickman and Teander have transported the roundhouse to the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, where it will be connected to the institution\u2019s ultracold neutron source. The structure will then act as a filter of sorts to change the energy of the neutrons.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cThis device helps us understand the energy spectrum of the neutron,<\/strong> which is important for the interpretation of any data in the experiment,\u201d said Korobkina.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The neutrons will then funnel into a prototype plastic storage box, where the researchers can later measure their electric dipole moment, or their electrical symmetry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is a physics measurement that could <strong>shed light on why we live in a matter-dominated universe,\u201d <\/strong>said Huffman.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To ensure the success of the experiment \u2014 which is part of a wider suite of research projects in collaboration with various universities and labs around the country \u2014 great care had to go into the construction of the roundhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe roundhouse needs to have high-quality machining and welding, and it needs to be kept very clean. Otherwise, you lose the neutrons,\u201d said Korobkina. \u201c[Hewett] has really good skills. And he likes challenges. He decided he would crawl into the tube and weld from inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Resource for All<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Experimental physicists aren\u2019t the only ones that benefit from the Department of Physics Instrument Shop. Hewett and his staff have completed work for other departments in the College of Sciences and across campus, including the departments of nuclear engineering, electrical engineering, entomology and plant pathology, as well as the Wilson College of Textiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shop staff is currently building a particle deposition chamber for Nicholas Meskhidze, professor in the <a href=\"https:\/\/meas.sciences.ncsu.edu\/\">Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences<\/a> (MEAS). The chamber will help Meskhidze develop new parameterizations for the dry deposition of aerosols in the atmosphere, a project he began with Markus Petters, a former NC&#160;State MEAS professor. Dry deposition takes place when a pollutant impacts a surface \u2014 such as a plant or building \u2014 and is removed from the atmosphere.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">You tell [Hewett] what you want, and he can make it.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAerosols are really bad for your health. Long term exposure to small particles negatively affects cardiovascular and respiratory health in humans. If the particles are very small, they can go into your central nervous system and may cause all kinds of problems, like Alzheimer&#8217;s,&#8221; said Meskhidze. &#8220;They can also stay in your lungs and exacerbate pre-existing respiratory illnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Environmental Protection Agency regulates particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. They regulate mass, but not number. Very small aerosols have very little mass, and so quite often they get overlooked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/particle-deposition-chamber-meas-nicholas-mezkhidze.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/particle-deposition-chamber-meas-nicholas-mezkhidze-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A particle deposition chamber\" class=\"wp-image-767820\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The particle deposition chamber, which is under construction at the instrument shop, will allow MEAS professor Nicholas Meskhidze to develop new parameterizations for the dry deposition of aerosols in the atmosphere.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meskhidze will be able to bring different types of aerosols into the chamber \u2014 where he can control the turbulence inside \u2014&nbsp;and see how they deposit, or get attached to surfaces.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe can also try to replicate things like deposition on leaves by planting small tree branches in the chamber,\u201d he said. \u201cKnowing the surface area of the leaves, we can figure out how the particles get deposited.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s Meskhidze\u2019s first time working with Hewett, but he\u2019s been pleased with the experience so far.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt&#8217;s very easy to work with him. Sometimes when you deal with machine shops, they ask you to give them drawings with measurements down to the millimeter. And [Hewett] isn\u2019t like that. You tell him what you want, and he can make it,\u201d said Meskhidze.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/instrument-shop-gadgets.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/instrument-shop-gadgets-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"An assortment of small prototype gadgets built at the Department of Physics Instrument Shop\" class=\"wp-image-767855\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An assortment of prototype gadgets built at the Department of Physics Instrument Shop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI really like this, because, when it comes to the tiny little details, sometimes you don&#8217;t know because <strong>often you are building something no one has made before,\u201d<\/strong> he added. \u201cIt\u2019s not like we have an existing drawing we can replicate. Sometimes you have to play it by ear and try different things.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These types of challenges \u2014 and the variety of projects that come into the shop \u2014 are Hewett\u2019s favorite part of the job. And he\u2019s just the person to take them on, having been on the job long enough to understand researchers\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere is some equipment you can\u2019t buy, and that&#8217;s when you have to manufacture it,\u201d said Meskhidze. \u201cHaving someone on campus who can do it for you, and who has this institutional knowledge of different things that would take you a lot of time to explain, I think that&#8217;s pretty beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gaining Machining Skills as a Graduate Student<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another passion of Hewett\u2019s is passing on his machining knowledge to students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve got a teacher\u2019s heart,\u201d he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process of working with Hewett to take a piece of equipment from an idea to reality is a learning opportunity for graduate students.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere\u2019s a teaching piece, an educational component,\u201d said Huffman. \u201cWhen Ph.D. students are building their piece of equipment, they get feedback on what works, what doesn&#8217;t, what&#8217;s going to be too complicated to build or what could be simplified. So it&#8217;s a good back and forth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">By working with the shop, you become a better designer.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe main skill I\u2019ve learned is how to communicate with a machinist versus an engineer versus a physicist, because each one has a different expertise,\u201d said Hickman.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For experimental physicists, knowing how to work with engineers and machinists makes for increased efficiency in the design process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBy working with the shop, you become a better designer,\u201d said Teander. \u201cAnd hopefully skip some of the back and forth in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/teander-hickman-measuring-balance.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/teander-hickman-measuring-balance-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Physics graduate students Cole Teander and Clark Hickman measure the balance of a steel circular structure that will cover one end of the roundhouse, a large steel cylindrical structure\" class=\"wp-image-767839\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roundhouse-cole-teander-clark-hickman-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roundhouse-cole-teander-clark-hickman-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Physics graduate students Cole Teander and Clark Hickman peer from one end of the roundhouse to the other. The roundhouse is a large steel cylindrical structure.\" class=\"wp-image-767838\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graduate physics students Cole Teander (left) and Clark Hickman have been involved with the roundhouse project since the initial stages of design. Their next step is to install it at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aside from working with the main machine shop in Cox Hall on bigger projects, graduate physics students can also gain access to the student shop in Riddick Hall, overseen by John Thomas, the John S. Risley Distinguished Professor of Physics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thomas purchased machines for student use with his startup funds when he first arrived at NC&#160;State. At his previous institution, Duke University, Thomas had run a shop where he taught his students machining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI always found that it was very, very important, with the work I do \u2014 which is with lasers and cold atoms \u2014 to have access to a good shop that my students can actually use,\u201d said Thomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default left-aside\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">I encourage all of our students to communicate with and be familiar with the machine shop.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hewett teaches a course to <strong>train graduate physics students to use the machines in the student shop at Riddick<\/strong>, which they can use for smaller, simpler projects.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c[Hewett] is a really ideal person for interacting with the students. He&#8217;s calm. He knows how to explain everything nicely to them,\u201d said Thomas. \u201cThey can come to me, tell me that they have taken this course, and then I know I can sign them off on various tools and give them access.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The hands-on experience of doing their own machining and working with professional machinists pays off.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe had a student that got a job at a company on Centennial Campus because he had fabrication and machine shop experience,\u201d said Korobkina. \u201cI encourage all of our students to communicate with and be familiar with the machine shop. <strong>It\u2019s a big asset for their future.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-highlight with-image\"><h2 class=\"highlight__label\">Related<\/h2><a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ncsu.edu\/\" class=\"highlight__link\" data-ua-cat=\"Highlight Block\" data-ua-action=\"Story Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/sciences.ncsu.edu\/\"><div class=\"highlight__image-container\"><div class=\"highlight__image-background\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"highlight__image wp-image-767874\" alt=\"Carlos Goller, associate teaching professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and Madison Routh, a post-baccalaureate researcher, observe the growth of solid media on Comamonas testosteroni, an organism with bioremediation potential.\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/carlos-goller-biotechnology.jpg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"highlight__text-container\"><h3 class=\"highlight__heading\">See Yourself at NC&#160;State Sciences<\/h3><p class=\"highlight__teaser\">Join students, faculty and researchers from around the world who work together to solve society\u2019s biggest problems.<\/p><p class=\"highlight__cta\"><span>Explore the College of <\/span><span class=\"nowrap\"><span>Sciences&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"> <svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg> <\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/aside>\n<p><em>This post was <a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/2024\/02\/research-instrument-shop\/\">originally published<\/a> in NC&#160;State News.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"<!-- wp:ncst\/dynamic-header {\"block\":\"ncst\/default-immersive-post-header\"} -->\n<!-- wp:ncst\/default-immersive-post-header {\"caption\":\"Chris Hewett, supervisor of the Department of Physics Instrument Shop, welds the roundhouse, a stainless steel cylindrical structure that experimental physicists will use to study low-energy neutrons. \",\"displayCategoryID\":3,\"subtitle\":\"Experimental research often requires the creation of custom equipment. The Department of Physics Instrument Shop is up for the challenge.\u00a0\"} \/-->\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/dynamic-header -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"className\":\"is-style-lead\"} -->\n<p class=\"is-style-lead\">On the ground floor of Cox Hall, Chris Hewett runs the <a href=\"https:\/\/physics.sciences.ncsu.edu\/\">Department of Physics<\/a> Instrument Shop, where he\u2019s been building custom prototype equipment for researchers across campus for the past 19 years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default right-aside\"><!-- wp:ncst\/aside-fact {\"svgSlug\":\"gears\",\"heading\":\"2 Shops on Campus\",\"support\":\"The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering also has a machine shop to build custom equipment for NC State researchers.\",\"callToAction\":\"Explore the BAE research shop\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.bae.ncsu.edu\/researchshop\/\",\"useCTA\":true} -->\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bae.ncsu.edu\/researchshop\/\" class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-fact ncst-fact with-cta has-red-400-text-color\" data-ua-cat=\"Fact Block\" data-ua-action=\"URL Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/www.bae.ncsu.edu\/researchshop\/\"><span class=\"ncst-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" size=\"75\"><path d=\"M194.17 245.78c16.35-11.24 28.62-27.59 35.77-46l17.37 4.09 9.2-40.88-15.33-5.11v-4.08c0-19.41-5.11-36.79-13.28-53.14l13.28-11.24-24.53-32.7L201.33 68C186 55.7 168.62 46.5 148.18 43.43V25h-40.87v18.43C87.89 47.52 70.52 56.72 55.19 70L40.88 58.76l-26.57 32.7 15.33 11.25c-9.2 16.35-12.27 33.72-12.27 52.12v5.11L0 163l7.15 40.88 17.38-4.09c7.15 18.4 21.46 33.73 36.79 46l-7.16 16.35L91 279.51l7.16-16.36a98.62 98.62 0 0 0 29.63 4.09 98.69 98.69 0 0 0 29.64-4.09l7.15 16.36 36.8-17.38Zm-66.43-28.61a63.37 63.37 0 1 1 63.37-63.37 63.69 63.69 0 0 1-63.37 63.37Z\"><\/path><path d=\"M127.74 101.68a52.12 52.12 0 1 0 52.12 52.12 52.35 52.35 0 0 0-52.12-52.12Zm0 69.5c-10.22 0-17.37-7.16-17.37-17.38s7.15-17.37 17.37-17.37 17.38 7.15 17.38 17.37-7.12 17.38-17.38 17.38ZM493.6 323.45l18.4-4.09-9.2-40.88-18.39 4.09A177.62 177.62 0 0 0 466 248.85l13.29-13.29-28.62-29.64-13.27 13.29a178 178 0 0 0-33.73-18.4l5.11-19.41-40.88-9.2-4.08 18.39c-12.27-1-26.57 0-38.84 2l-7.15-17.37L279 188.55l7.16 18.4a131.54 131.54 0 0 0-30.66 22.48l-16.35-12.26-24.53 33.72L231 263.15c-6.13 11.25-11.24 23.51-13.28 35.77l-21.46-1-2.05 40.88 19.42 1a196 196 0 0 0 7.15 36.79l-17.37 9.2 19.42 36.79 17.37-9.2A117.61 117.61 0 0 0 267.75 441l-10.22 17.38 34.75 19.41 10.22-17.37c6.13 2.05 12.26 4.09 18.39 5.11s12.27 2 18.4 2l1 19.42 40.88-2-1-19.42c12.26-2 24.52-7.15 35.77-13.28l11.24 16.35L460.9 444l-11.24-16.35c9.2-9.2 17.37-18.4 23.51-30.66l18.39 7.15 15.33-38.83-17.37-6.13c4.08-10.18 4.08-23.47 4.08-35.73Zm-141 88.91a81.76 81.76 0 1 1 81.75-81.76 81.35 81.35 0 0 1-81.77 81.76Z\"><\/path><path d=\"M352.58 260.09c-39.86 0-70.52 32.7-70.52 70.51s32.7 70.52 70.52 70.52c39.85 0 70.51-32.7 70.51-70.52s-30.66-70.51-70.51-70.51Zm0 98.11c-16.36 0-28.62-12.27-28.62-28.62S336.22 301 352.58 301s28.61 12.26 28.61 28.61-12.26 28.59-28.61 28.59Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h2 class=\"fact__heading\">2 Shops on Campus<\/h2><p class=\"fact__support\">The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering also has a machine shop to build custom equipment for NC State researchers.<\/p><p class=\"fact__cta\"><span class=\"text\">Explore the BAE research shop<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/p><\/a>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/aside-fact --><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In the shop, machinists Hewett, Gary Lofton and Joe McElveen use a variety of machine tools \u2014 including lathes, drill presses, saws, manual and hydraulic shears, press brakes and Computer Numerical Control machines \u2014 to help faculty and graduate students bring their designs to life. Many of these are small gadgets that researchers use to carry out a variety of activities, like tracking how ants carry fungus from one area of the forest to another or performing microscopic brain surgery on fruit flies.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\"Collectively, the three of us have nearly 100 years of machining experience to contribute to NC State's research,\u201d said Hewett.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":768395,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/physics-instrument-shop-gadgets.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/physics-instrument-shop-gadgets-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"An assortment of small prototype gadgets built by the Department of Physics Instrument Shop\" class=\"wp-image-768395\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Many of the gadgets made at the Department of Physics Instrument Shop are small, one-off pieces.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/section>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Having machining services available for researchers on campus isn\u2019t only convenient. It\u2019s essential. <\/strong>Experimental physicists, for instance, often need equipment that can\u2019t be bought anywhere.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/aside-widget {\"alignment\":\"left\"} -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default left-aside\"><!-- wp:ncst\/aside-fact {\"svgSlug\":\"piggybank\",\"heading\":\"$36 Per Hour\",\"support\":\"The Department of Physics Instrument Shop charges a fraction of the cost of private machine shops, which can charge up to $125 per hour.\"} -->\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-fact ncst-fact has-red-400-text-color\"><span class=\"ncst-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" size=\"75\"><path d=\"M501.33 184a47.51 47.51 0 0 0-19.2 22.4 78 78 0 0 1 17.07 14.93 38.46 38.46 0 0 1 12.8-19.2ZM128 467.73h67.2v-54.4A276.14 276.14 0 0 1 128 382.4ZM312.53 466.67h67.2V382.4a212.21 212.21 0 0 1-67.2 29.87ZM453.33 210.67a29.38 29.38 0 0 0-9.6 1.06c-14.93-77.86-92.8-137.6-185.6-137.6a205.37 205.37 0 0 0-73.6 12.8L99.2 44.27v106.66a158.48 158.48 0 0 0-26.67 59.74H0v88.53h83.2c26.67 61.87 94.93 106.67 176 106.67S410.67 360 436.27 294.93a50.2 50.2 0 0 0 18.13 4.27 43.94 43.94 0 0 0 43.73-43.73 45.76 45.76 0 0 0-44.8-44.8ZM149.76 222.4h-.43a17.07 17.07 0 1 1 17.07-17.07 16.85 16.85 0 0 1-16.64 17.07Zm119.78 96.75a24.08 24.08 0 0 1-8.21.32v11.73h-10.66v-12.8a21.33 21.33 0 0 1-13.87-9.6v9.6h-14.93v-34.13h16c0 9.6 3.2 20.26 12.8 22.4v-30.94l-5.34-2.13c-12.8-5.33-22.4-10.67-22.4-25.6a26.89 26.89 0 0 1 24.82-28.8 26.44 26.44 0 0 1 4 0v-11.73h10.65v12.8a20.64 20.64 0 0 1 11.73 8.53v-7.47H288v32h-16c-1.07-11.73-4.27-18.13-11.73-20.26v28.8l5.33 2.13a44.48 44.48 0 0 1 17.07 9.6 25.11 25.11 0 0 1 5.33 17.07 24 24 0 0 1-18.46 28.48Zm40.86-185.28a140.35 140.35 0 0 0-55.47-10.67 140.26 140.26 0 0 0-55.46 10.67v-22.4a140.26 140.26 0 0 1 55.46-10.67 140.35 140.35 0 0 1 55.47 10.67Zm144 143h-1.1a24.4 24.4 0 0 1-11.73-3.2 176.66 176.66 0 0 0 4.27-34.13v-5.34a15.7 15.7 0 0 1 7.46-1.06 22.5 22.5 0 0 1 22.4 22.4 21.33 21.33 0 0 1-21.27 21.29Z\"><\/path><path d=\"M261.33 280v26.67a12.81 12.81 0 0 0 9.6-12.8c1.07-8.54-3.2-11.74-9.6-13.87ZM241.07 244.8c0 7.47 4.26 10.67 10.66 12.8V232c-2.13 0-4.26 2.13-6.4 3.2a15.86 15.86 0 0 0-4.26 9.6Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h2 class=\"fact__heading\">$36 Per Hour<\/h2><p class=\"fact__support\">The Department of Physics Instrument Shop charges a fraction of the cost of private machine shops, which can charge up to $125 per hour.<\/p><\/div>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/aside-fact --><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cIn experimental physics, we have to build complicated parts for our research. Without the machine shop, it would be very difficult to do our research,\u201d said Ekaterina Korobkina, research associate in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ne.ncsu.edu\/\">Department of Nuclear Engineering<\/a> and graduate faculty in the Department of Physics. \u201cIt\u2019s complicated to find other machine shops that can do what we need them to do and for the price that we can afford.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For Hewett, part of his job satisfaction comes from passing on his knowledge to help graduate students machine their own instruments \u2014 and from knowing that his own creations contribute to important research.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cSeeing all the different parts that we make, and hearing about what they do and what kind of experiments they\u2019re used in, it\u2019s pretty neat,\u201d he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2>A Probe of the Early Universe<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The instruments made in the shop range from small, handheld gadgets used in statistical probability tests to large structures used to explore the most confounding mysteries of the universe. One of the more ambitious projects Hewett and his team have taken on is the recently completed roundhouse, a large stainless steel cylinder where researchers will be able to store low-energy \u2014 or \u201cultracold\u201d \u2014 neutrons and select their energy distribution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For nearly a year, Hewett has been working with a number of NC State physicists \u2014 including Korobkina, physics department head Paul Huffman and doctoral students Clark Hickman and Cole Teander \u2014 to design and build the roundhouse.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":767819,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/instrument-shop-roundhouse-group-photo.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/instrument-shop-roundhouse-group-photo-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Graduate physics students Cole Teander and Clark Hickman, and machinists Chris Hewett and Joe McElveen, are pictured with the roundhouse\" class=\"wp-image-767819\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left to right, pictured with the roundhouse: Graduate physics students Cole Teander and Clark Hickman and machinists Chris Hewett and Joe McElveen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/image-column -->\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":767837,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/chris-joe-roundhouse.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/chris-joe-roundhouse-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Machinists Joe McElveen and Chris Hewett work on the roundhouse, a large steel cylinder that physicists will use to study low-energy neutrons\" class=\"wp-image-767837\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":767841,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/chris-hewett-roundhouse-construction.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/chris-hewett-roundhouse-construction-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Machinist Chris Hewett works on the inside of the roundhouse, a large steel cylinder structure that physicists will use to study low-energy neutrons\" class=\"wp-image-767841\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/section>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/image-column --><\/section>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>The structure will be used in an experiment to better understand the origins of the universe.<\/strong> When the universe began, matter and antimatter collided. Antimatter has the opposite electric charge and magnetic strength and orientation as ordinary matter. In theory, if the universe had symmetry \u2014&nbsp;a perfect balance between matter and antimatter \u2014 nothing would exist because matter and antimatter annihilate each other when they come into contact. Given that we live in a universe made of matter, we know this did not happen.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default right-aside\"><!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"\\u0022Studying neutrons is a great probe of the early universe.\\u0022\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">Studying neutrons is a great probe of the early universe.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote --><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>\u201cThere\u2019s a fundamental asymmetry baked into the universe,\u201d<\/strong> said Teander.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The researchers are studying ultracold neutrons \u2014 which move slowly enough that they can be contained by normal matter, such as stainless steel or copper \u2014 to determine the reason behind this asymmetry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cStudying neutrons is a great probe of the early universe, because they were one of the dominant particles of the first 15 minutes of the universe,\u201d said Teander.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cAnd they\u2019re one of the simplest,\u201d said Hickman.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\"><!-- wp:ncst\/image-column -->\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-column\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":768568,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/clark-hickman-assembling-roundhouse-motor-and-feedthrough.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/clark-hickman-assembling-roundhouse-motor-and-feedthrough-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Clark Hickman assembles the motor and feedthrough system of the roundhouse\" class=\"wp-image-768568\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clark Hickman assembles the motor and feedthrough system of the roundhouse. <em>Photos courtesy of Cole Teander.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":767844,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roundhouse-transport-to-new-mexico.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roundhouse-transport-to-new-mexico-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The back of a van packed with research equipment\" class=\"wp-image-767844\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clark Hickman and Cole Teander drove the roundhouse and its accompanying components to New Mexico. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/section>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/image-column --><\/section>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hickman and Teander have transported the roundhouse to the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, where it will be connected to the institution\u2019s ultracold neutron source. The structure will then act as a filter of sorts to change the energy of the neutrons.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>\u201cThis device helps us understand the energy spectrum of the neutron,<\/strong> which is important for the interpretation of any data in the experiment,\u201d said Korobkina.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The neutrons will then funnel into a prototype plastic storage box, where the researchers can later measure their electric dipole moment, or their electrical symmetry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThis is a physics measurement that could <strong>shed light on why we live in a matter-dominated universe,\u201d <\/strong>said Huffman.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To ensure the success of the experiment \u2014 which is part of a wider suite of research projects in collaboration with various universities and labs around the country \u2014 great care had to go into the construction of the roundhouse.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThe roundhouse needs to have high-quality machining and welding, and it needs to be kept very clean. Otherwise, you lose the neutrons,\u201d said Korobkina. \u201c[Hewett] has really good skills. And he likes challenges. He decided he would crawl into the tube and weld from inside.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2>A Resource for All<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Experimental physicists aren\u2019t the only ones that benefit from the Department of Physics Instrument Shop. Hewett and his staff have completed work for other departments in the College of Sciences and across campus, including the departments of nuclear engineering, electrical engineering, entomology and plant pathology, as well as the Wilson College of Textiles.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The shop staff is currently building a particle deposition chamber for Nicholas Meskhidze, professor in the <a href=\"https:\/\/meas.sciences.ncsu.edu\/\">Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences<\/a> (MEAS). The chamber will help Meskhidze develop new parameterizations for the dry deposition of aerosols in the atmosphere, a project he began with Markus Petters, a former NC State MEAS professor. Dry deposition takes place when a pollutant impacts a surface \u2014 such as a plant or building \u2014 and is removed from the atmosphere.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"\\u0022You tell [Hewett] what you want, and he can make it.\\u0022\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">You tell [Hewett] what you want, and he can make it.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cAerosols are really bad for your health. Long term exposure to small particles negatively affects cardiovascular and respiratory health in humans. If the particles are very small, they can go into your central nervous system and may cause all kinds of problems, like Alzheimer's,\" said Meskhidze. \"They can also stay in your lungs and exacerbate pre-existing respiratory illnesses.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThe Environmental Protection Agency regulates particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. They regulate mass, but not number. Very small aerosols have very little mass, and so quite often they get overlooked.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":767820,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/particle-deposition-chamber-meas-nicholas-mezkhidze.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/particle-deposition-chamber-meas-nicholas-mezkhidze-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A particle deposition chamber\" class=\"wp-image-767820\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The particle deposition chamber, which is under construction at the instrument shop, will allow MEAS professor Nicholas Meskhidze to develop new parameterizations for the dry deposition of aerosols in the atmosphere.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/section>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Meskhidze will be able to bring different types of aerosols into the chamber \u2014 where he can control the turbulence inside \u2014&nbsp;and see how they deposit, or get attached to surfaces.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cWe can also try to replicate things like deposition on leaves by planting small tree branches in the chamber,\u201d he said. \u201cKnowing the surface area of the leaves, we can figure out how the particles get deposited.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It\u2019s Meskhidze\u2019s first time working with Hewett, but he\u2019s been pleased with the experience so far.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cIt's very easy to work with him. Sometimes when you deal with machine shops, they ask you to give them drawings with measurements down to the millimeter. And [Hewett] isn\u2019t like that. You tell him what you want, and he can make it,\u201d said Meskhidze.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":767855,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/instrument-shop-gadgets.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/instrument-shop-gadgets-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"An assortment of small prototype gadgets built at the Department of Physics Instrument Shop\" class=\"wp-image-767855\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An assortment of prototype gadgets built at the Department of Physics Instrument Shop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/section>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cI really like this, because, when it comes to the tiny little details, sometimes you don't know because <strong>often you are building something no one has made before,\u201d<\/strong> he added. \u201cIt\u2019s not like we have an existing drawing we can replicate. Sometimes you have to play it by ear and try different things.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>These types of challenges \u2014 and the variety of projects that come into the shop \u2014 are Hewett\u2019s favorite part of the job. And he\u2019s just the person to take them on, having been on the job long enough to understand researchers\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThere is some equipment you can\u2019t buy, and that's when you have to manufacture it,\u201d said Meskhidze. \u201cHaving someone on campus who can do it for you, and who has this institutional knowledge of different things that would take you a lot of time to explain, I think that's pretty beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2>Gaining Machining Skills as a Graduate Student<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Another passion of Hewett\u2019s is passing on his machining knowledge to students.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve got a teacher\u2019s heart,\u201d he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The process of working with Hewett to take a piece of equipment from an idea to reality is a learning opportunity for graduate students.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a teaching piece, an educational component,\u201d said Huffman. \u201cWhen Ph.D. students are building their piece of equipment, they get feedback on what works, what doesn't, what's going to be too complicated to build or what could be simplified. So it's a good back and forth.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"\\u0022By working with the shop, you become a better designer.\\u0022\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">By working with the shop, you become a better designer.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cThe main skill I\u2019ve learned is how to communicate with a machinist versus an engineer versus a physicist, because each one has a different expertise,\u201d said Hickman.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For experimental physicists, knowing how to work with engineers and machinists makes for increased efficiency in the design process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cBy working with the shop, you become a better designer,\u201d said Teander. \u201cAnd hopefully skip some of the back and forth in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n<section class=\"wp-block-ncst-image-grid\"><!-- wp:image {\"id\":767839,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/teander-hickman-measuring-balance.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/teander-hickman-measuring-balance-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Physics graduate students Cole Teander and Clark Hickman measure the balance of a steel circular structure that will cover one end of the roundhouse, a large steel cylindrical structure\" class=\"wp-image-767839\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":767838,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roundhouse-cole-teander-clark-hickman-1.jpg\"><img src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roundhouse-cole-teander-clark-hickman-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Physics graduate students Cole Teander and Clark Hickman peer from one end of the roundhouse to the other. The roundhouse is a large steel cylindrical structure.\" class=\"wp-image-767838\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graduate physics students Cole Teander (left) and Clark Hickman have been involved with the roundhouse project since the initial stages of design. Their next step is to install it at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image --><\/section>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/image-grid -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Aside from working with the main machine shop in Cox Hall on bigger projects, graduate physics students can also gain access to the student shop in Riddick Hall, overseen by John Thomas, the John S. Risley Distinguished Professor of Physics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Thomas purchased machines for student use with his startup funds when he first arrived at NC State. At his previous institution, Duke University, Thomas had run a shop where he taught his students machining.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cI always found that it was very, very important, with the work I do \u2014 which is with lasers and cold atoms \u2014 to have access to a good shop that my students can actually use,\u201d said Thomas.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/aside-widget {\"alignment\":\"left\"} -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-aside-widget default left-aside\"><!-- wp:ncst\/pullquote {\"value\":\"\u201cI encourage all of our students to communicate with and be familiar with the machine shop.\\u0022\"} -->\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-ncst-pullquote has-red-400-text-color has-quotes\"><div class=\"pullquote-container\"><p class=\"pullquote-content\">I encourage all of our students to communicate with and be familiar with the machine shop.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/pullquote --><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/aside-widget -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Hewett teaches a course to <strong>train graduate physics students to use the machines in the student shop at Riddick<\/strong>, which they can use for smaller, simpler projects.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201c[Hewett] is a really ideal person for interacting with the students. He's calm. He knows how to explain everything nicely to them,\u201d said Thomas. \u201cThey can come to me, tell me that they have taken this course, and then I know I can sign them off on various tools and give them access.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The hands-on experience of doing their own machining and working with professional machinists pays off.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cWe had a student that got a job at a company on Centennial Campus because he had fabrication and machine shop experience,\u201d said Korobkina. \u201cI encourage all of our students to communicate with and be familiar with the machine shop. <strong>It\u2019s a big asset for their future.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:ncst\/highlight {\"teaser\":\"Join students, faculty and researchers from around the world who work together to solve society\u2019s biggest problems.\",\"callToAction\":\"Explore the College of Sciences\",\"imageID\":767874} -->\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-highlight with-image\"><h2 class=\"highlight__label\">Related<\/h2><a href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ncsu.edu\/\" class=\"highlight__link\" data-ua-cat=\"Highlight Block\" data-ua-action=\"Story Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/sciences.ncsu.edu\/\"><div class=\"highlight__image-container\"><div class=\"highlight__image-background\"><img class=\"highlight__image wp-image-767874\" alt=\"Carlos Goller, associate teaching professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and Madison Routh, a post-baccalaureate researcher, observe the growth of solid media on Comamonas testosteroni, an organism with bioremediation potential.\" src=\"https:\/\/news.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/carlos-goller-biotechnology.jpg\" \/><\/div><\/div><div class=\"highlight__text-container\"><h3 class=\"highlight__heading\">See Yourself at NC State Sciences<\/h3><p class=\"highlight__teaser\">Join students, faculty and researchers from around the world who work together to solve society\u2019s biggest problems.<\/p><p class=\"highlight__cta\"><span>Explore the College of <\/span><span class=\"nowrap\"><span>Sciences&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"> <svg class=\"wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg> <\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div><\/a><\/aside>\n<!-- \/wp:ncst\/highlight -->"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Experimental research often requires the creation of custom equipment. The Department of Physics Instrument Shop is up for the challenge.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"ncstate_wire","ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[5],"class_list":["post-1181","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-_from-newswire-collection-6"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1181","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1181"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1181\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2490,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1181\/revisions\/2490"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1181"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1181"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.ucomm.ncsu.edu\/web-platform-free-tier\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1181"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}