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An Engineer Reflects on Achieving Excellence in Research in Accelerator Science and Technology

An Engineer Reflects on Achieving Excellence in Research in Accelerator Science and Technology. Richard Carter C.Eng., FIET, Sen. Mem. IEEE. Some definitions. Natural Science is the rational study of the universe via rules or laws of natural order.

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An Engineer Reflects on Achieving Excellence in Research in Accelerator Science and Technology

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  1. An Engineer Reflects onAchieving Excellence in Research in Accelerator Science and Technology Richard Carter C.Eng., FIET, Sen. Mem. IEEE CI All Hands Meeting 29 March 2007

  2. Some definitions • Natural Science is the rational study of the universe via rules or laws of natural order. • Engineering is the design, analysis, and/or construction of works for practical purposes. • Technology is a broad concept that deals with usage and knowledge of tools and crafts. CI All Hands Meeting 29 March 2007

  3. Scientists Ask WHY things are as they are Outcome is knowledge and understanding But they also Ask HOW an investigation can best be conducted Outcome is experimental apparatus to achieve scientific goals Engineers Ask HOW a desired outcome can best be achieved Outcome is a product for a CLIENT But they also Ask WHY an artefact is performing in a certain way Outcome is a better understanding and an improved artefact A comparison Both Scientists and Engineers employ the laws of nature and the scientific method. The principal difference is in the focus of their work. The design and construction of scientific apparatus is an engineering activity CI All Hands Meeting 29 March 2007

  4. Sir Humphry Davy Chemist and Physicist Fellow and President of the Royal Society Michael Faraday Chemist and Physicist Davy’s assistant Pioneer of electromagnetism Science and Engineering a symbiotic relationship CI All Hands Meeting 29 March 2007

  5. Sir John Cockcroft Studied electrical engineering at the College of Technology in Manchester under Miles Walker. After two years apprenticeship with Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Company he went to St. John's College, Cambridge, and took the Mathematical Tripos in 1924. Ernest Walton Read the honours courses in both mathematics and experimental science at Trinity College, Dublin, specializing in physics, and graduated in 1926 with first class honours in both subjects. Science and Engineering a symbiotic relationship CI All Hands Meeting 29 March 2007

  6. The design of experimental apparatus Scientists have always designed their own apparatus with the assistance of scientific instrument makers BUT increasingly the design of apparatus • Requires specialist knowledge and skills • Takes decades to complete SO the scientists • Become customers who specify what they require • Rely on the knowledge and skills of specialists (‘Engineers’) to achieve their goals THUS according to the definitions • Accelerator Science and Technology is ‘Engineering’ AND excellence in research in Accelerator Science and Technology must be judged by the criteria appropriate to Engineering research CI All Hands Meeting 29 March 2007

  7. Engineering aims to Create an artefact with attributes required by the client within constraints of cost and time To minimise RISK by Selection of technologies Appropriate design Simulation and prototype testing Engineering Research aims to Push back the limits of technologies Develop new technologies Develop improved procedures for design, simulation and prototyping to reduce Risk Time and cost of development Remove ‘Show Stoppers’ Engineering Goals CI All Hands Meeting 29 March 2007

  8. Research in Accelerator Science and Technology Most funding is project-based AND Projects need to deliver equipment which achieves • Scientific objectives • Reliable operation THEREFORE technical decisions aim to avoid risk including untried technology World-class research in accelerator science and technology • Cannot be achieved through routine design work • Must focus on ‘Show Stoppers’ in project-based research by • Improving capability and reliability of project specific technologies • Developing improved simulation and prototyping • Requires separate funding of • Development of generic technologies and design methods • Exploration of new technologies CI All Hands Meeting 29 March 2007

  9. Conclusions • World-class accelerator-based science does not necessarily require world-class accelerator science and technology • To carry out world-class research in accelerator science and technology the Cockcroft Institute must focus on • ‘Show Stoppers’ in project-based research • Improving capability and reliability of project specific technologies • Developing improved simulation and prototyping • Seeking separate funding for • Development of generic technologies and design methods • Exploration of new technologies CI All Hands Meeting 29 March 2007

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