Cryogenic Community Honors Air Force-Funded Researcher Published Aug. 2, 2007 By Maria Callier AFOSR Public Affairs (Quantech) ARLINGTON, Va. -- A materials science researcher, funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, received the Cryogenic Materials Award for Lifetime Achievements during the International Cryogenic Materials Conference. The July event was held in Chattanooga, Tenn. Professor David Larbalestier, director of Florida State University's Applied Superconductivity Center and chief scientist of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, conducts basic research on practical superconducting materials for magnets and power applications. He has influenced the development of high-field magnets for high-energy physics and other applications including magnetic resonance imaging. According to Harold Weinstock, a program manager for physics and electronics within AFOSR, "Mr. Larbalestier is undoubtedly the world's foremost authority on the materials science and engineering of superconducting structures. He holds numerous national and international awards for his body of work encompassing over 30 years in this field." Superconductivity can lead to much greater efficiency in the flow of electrical current and that can result in faster computers. Mr. Larbalestier's work may lead to more powerful and lighter generators and high-power microwave sources for the Air Force. "AFOSR has a keen eye for fundamental research that can impact technology over the long term," said Mr. Larbalestier. "I am deeply interested in how much current can be carried by superconductors in the presence of a high magnetic field." By funding research programs like Mr. Larbalestier's on superconducting materials, AFOSR continues to expand the horizon of scientific knowledge. AFOSR is part of Air Force Materiel Command's Air Force Research Laboratory.