Women in Cryogenics and SuperConductivity
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Jennifer Hennis
Product Development Specialist—GenH2 Corp
What projects are you working on now?
As a product development specialist at GenH2 Corp, I have the privilege of working on groundbreaking projects to bring liquid hydrogen (LH2) equipment to the industrial worlds of transportation and energy storage. My work involves the manufacture and commissioning of advanced refrigeration systems for heavy-duty electric machines, iCAT cryogenic hydrogen storage tanks, CS900-1 and CS900-2 simulation test platforms, and the LS20 liquefaction and controlled storage system. Additionally, I contribute to the development of commercial cryostat products such as the CS500 and Macroflash manufacturing for leading institutions and universities. I am also involved in cryostat testing materials with LH2 for leading industry companies and collaborate with Shell and CB&I on a mega-scale LH2 storage project.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? What was the challenge, and how did you and/or your team meet it?
One of my favorite accomplishments has been being part of the teams that built and commissioned the LS20 mobile unit, along with the CS900-1 and CS900-2 simulation test platforms. It has been incredibly rewarding to see these innovative systems come to life and make an impact in the field.
What advancements in cryogenics are you hoping to make in the future?
In the field of cryogenics, I aspire to see advancements that lead to low-cost, standardized products for storing and conveying liquid hydrogen. Standardization and cost-efficiency are crucial for broader adoption and the development of scalable solutions for LH2 applications.
What advances for women would you like to see in cryogenics and superconductivity?
In terms of advancing opportunities for women in cryogenics, I would like to see more hands-on, practical experiences in cryogenics and vacuum technology. It is also essential to integrate real-world data to support safety practices and establish design standards for LH2 equipment. Providing more women with direct, practical engagement in the field will help them build expertise and confidence.
What would be the best approach to getting more women into your field?
To promote greater participation of women in cryogenics, I believe in fostering awareness and recruitment while providing a broad spectrum of opportunities across various specialties. These opportunities should include fabrication, testing, data analysis and laboratory practices. By creating a diverse range of pathways, we can inspire more women to pursue and thrive in this exciting and essential field.
Susan Magi
Executive Vice President of Marketing—GenH2
What projects are you working on now?
I’ve been working with the Department of Energy-Shell Consortium (NASA, CB&I, University of Houston and GenH2) to communicate the benefits of hydrogen at scale. Recently, I partnered with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to educate the public about the advantages of liquid hydrogen during World Space Week. I’ve also leveraged hydrogen and clean energy events as platforms to teach about the safety and business benefits of LH2. In addition, I created informational programs and materials that highlight liquid hydrogen’s energy density and its ability to be a superior energy option. A significant part of my work involves publicizing hydrogen safety and stability, particularly LH2 stored using cryogenic refrigeration, which enables complete molecule control. I also focus on educating the industry about the zeroloss benefits of cryogenically refrigerated storage, as non-cryogenic storage can result in losses of 20-40%.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? What was the challenge and how did you and/or your team meet it?
I am most proud to be a founding member of a company that launched revolutionary LH2 infrastructure technology based on NASA research. This technology has the potential to change the direction of clean energy in a very short timeframe. Energy advancements tend to take decades, but with flexible, modular and scalable infrastructure, we can make a positive impact now.
One of the biggest challenges has been overcoming misconceptions about hydrogen. The first reaction is often that hydrogen is unsafe, unstable, or not viable. Addressing these misconceptions has required consistent education and communication to showcase both the business ROI and the environmental benefits. Another challenge has been helping new hydrogen companies understand the losses that can occur without cryogenics. Early on, the industry was hesitant to discuss these losses for fear of scaring people away from hydrogen. However, GenH2 and other experts are now addressing this issue openly, emphasizing that significant molecule losses and costs can occur without cryogenically refrigerated storage. Transparency and education are key to increasing adoption and speeding up infrastructure expansion.
What advancements in cryogenics are you hoping to make in the future?
Scientific advancements will always occur, but I believe cryogenics needs broad understanding and acceptance to gain continued support for significant breakthroughs. Educating business executives, policymakers, universities and other key stakeholders is essential for enabling strategic decisions that fund and advance cryogenic projects. There is a cost to progress, but if those who control funding understand the benefits, they will be more likely to support the research and infrastructure necessary to move cryogenics forward. Additionally, people need to better understand the critical role cryogenics plays in the future of clean energy.
What advances for women would you like to see in cryogenics and superconductivity?
I want to see more women involved in the business, communication and education aspects of cryogenics and superconductivity. While women are often encouraged to pursue STEM careers, they are not always encouraged to contribute to the advancement of these specialized fields. These brilliant scientists need a voice in business and education and among the general public. As our Chief Architect likes to say, “Cryo is so Cool, it’s Hot!”
What would be the best approach to getting more women into your field?
Women should not feel intimidated by science! While some aspects of the work may be “rocket science,” the general concepts are not beyond our grasp. Just as we use televisions, GPS watches and automobiles without fully understanding their complexities, we can approach cryogenics in the same way. Complex concepts and products can be simplified so that everyone can understand them—even a “marketing person” like me can grasp why cryogenics is essential for advancing our society.
This is a re-post from Cryogenic Society of America.
