Argonne National Laboratory

Ken Volin

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Biography

Ken Volin has been a principal mechanical engineer with the Advanced Photon Source (APS) since 2011.  He is currently engaged in planning the storage ring magnet module assembly and testing for the APS Upgrade Project.

Ken received his BS in physics from Illinois State University and a MS in physics from Northern Illinois University.  After a year appointment with Argonne in the Solid State Science Division (SSS), he joined Argonne permanently in 1983.  He had worked in various divisions performing material synthesis and characterization before gradually transferring to the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS) starting in 1986.  There he designed and operated sample environments for the Special Environment Powder Diffractometer (SEPD) and the Glass, Liquid, and Amorphous materials Diffractometer (GLAD) instruments along with running their day-to-day operations.  In 1997 he took over the sample environment effort for the entire IPNS user facility. When IPNS ceased operations in 2008, Ken helped manage the successful shutdown and stabilization of the experimental facility. At the completion of the decommissioning of the IPNS, he joined the APS Engineering Support Division (AES) in the Mechanical Engineering and Design Group (MED).

Honors and Awards

  • Inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma, 1979
  • Inducted into Sigma Xi, 1983
  • Argonne Pacesetter Award - IPNS August, 1993
  • Argonne Pacesetter Award - IPNS October, 1993
  • Argonne Director’s Award - IPNS July, 1994
  • Argonne Pacesetter Award - IPNS August, 2000
  • Argonne Pacesetter Award - IPNS August, 2008
  • Argonne Pacesetter Award - XSD September, 2010
  • Argonne Director’s Award - AES November, 2011

Selected Publications

  • Automated Sample Exchange and Tracking System for Neutron Research at Cryogenic Temperatures, J. E. Rix, J. K. R. Weber, L. J. Santodonato, B. Hill, L. M. Walker, R. McPherson, J. Wenzel, S. E. Hammons, J. Hodges, M. Rennich, and K. J. Volin, Rev. Sci. Instrum., 78(1), January 2007.
  • Structure of Liquid Boron, S. Krishnan, S. Ansell, J. J. Felten, K. J. Volin, and D. L. Price, Physical Review Letters, (81)3, 586-9, Jul 20, 1998.
  • The New Glass, Liquids, and Amorphous Materials Diffractometer (GLAD) at IPNS, A. J. G. Ellison, R. K. Crawford, K. J. Volin, D. L. Price, and D. G. Montague, J. Neutron Research 1(4) 61-70 (1993).
  • Automatic Low Temperature Sample Changer for Neutron and X-Ray Environments, K. J. Volin, R. H. Stefiuk, and S. Susman, ANL Invention Report: ANL-IN-91-93
  • Structure of Vitreous Ag/Ge/Se, R. J. Dejus, S. Susman, K. J. Volin, D. G. Montague, and D. L. Price, J. Non-Cryst. Solids. 143, 162-180 (1992).

Selected Presentations

  • Ever Improving Sample Environment at the IPNS, K. J. Volin, Presented at the 4th International Workshop on Sample Environment at Neutron Scattering Facilities, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA, September 6-8, 2006.
  • Controlled Atmospheres at High Temperatures for Neutron Scattering Experiments, K. J. Volin and E. R. Maxey, Presented at the American Conference on Neutron Scattering (ACNS), St. Charles, IL, June 18-22, 2006.
  • Sample Encapsulation Considerations In Designing High Temperature Neutron Diffraction Experiments, K. J. Volin, Presented at the Sample Environment for Neutron Scattering Experiments (SENSE) Workshop, Tallahassee, FL, September 24-26, 2003.
  • Pressure and Temperature: Pushing the Limits of Sample Environments for Neutron Scattering Experiments, K. J. Volin, Presented at the American Conference on Neutron Scattering (ACNS), Knoxville, TN, June 23-27, 2002.
  • The Structure of  Glassy Silicon-Sulphur, K. J. Volin, S. Susman, D. L. Price, and D. G. Montague, Presented at the APS March Mtg., New York, NY, March 16-20, 1987.
  • Short Range Order in Vitreous Silicon-Tellurium SiXTe1-X, S. Susman, D. L. Price, K. J. Volin, G. K. Shenoy, E. E. Alp, M. Arai, J. Zhao, and P. Montano, Presented at the APS March Mtg., Las Vegas, NV, March 31-April 4, 1986 .
  • Unusual Electrical Properties of Low Modulus Carbon Fibers at Low  Temperatures, K. J. Volin, I. L. Spain, H. A. Goldberg, and I. L. Kalnin, Presented at the APS March Mtg., Dallas, TX, March 8-12, 1982.

Patents

  • Susman Sherman, Boehm Leah, Volin Kenneth J, Delbacq Charles J: Glass Capable of Ionic Conduction and Method of Preparation. US Patent 4542108, Sep 17, 1985.
  • Volin Kenneth J, Susman Sherman: Super Ionic Conductive Glass. / Verre conducteur super-ionique. Canada Patent 1193084, Sep 10, 1985.
  • Susman Sherman, Volin Kenneth J: Super Ionic Conductive Glass. US Patent 4465744, Aug 14, 1984.
  • Susman Sherman, Delbecq Charles J, Volin Kenneth J, Boehm Leah: Glass Capable of Ionic Conduction and Method of Preparation.US Patent 4432891, Feb 21, 1984.

Additional Information

  • Argonne Pressure Technology and Safety Committee; PTSC Member
  • APS Pressure Systems Safety Committee; PSSC Chair
  • Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Work Planning and Control Process; Stored Energy - pressure vessels, hydraulic or pneumatic pressure systems, vacuum systems
  • SME for Laboratory Directed Research and Development proposals in the area of sample environments.
  • Referee for the Review of Scientific Instruments and Measurement Science and Technology in the area of sample environments and ancillary equipment.
  • Technical reviewer of Phase I research proposals submitted to the Department of Energy Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs.