Reaching 10 Kelvin: Precision Thermal Metrology; The Transition from Cash to Cashless Transactions in the United States: Implications towards Financial Services and Security Issues 18 views

The technical capstone team was tasked to use existing cryogenic and vacuum equipment to design and manufacture a refurbished cryostat system that would be able to measure thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperatures using the 3 omega method. To achieve the desired results of temperatures reaching 10 Kelvin, the project would involve improving subsystems for the cryostat, splitting the team into four separate groups: structural, electrical, vacuum, and experimental. Using a sealed vacuum environment was crucial for minimizing heat transfer coming from the surroundings. A closed cycle helium system and a cold heat were also key for sustaining low temperatures during experimentation. Cryostat design considerations were determined through ideation screenings and meeting certain criteria such as ease of manufacturability, material cost, and accessibility to interior components. This project is intended to support the development of generating improved thermal data for material properties when experiencing cryogenic environments. My STS research project investigated the implications of the U.S shift towards a digital and cashless economy, with impacts on financial access and data privacy/surveillance. I argue that even though digital payment systems offer increased convenience in transactions, they also leave behind some groups such as the unbanked and underbanked populations. Barriers include limited access to banking services and digital technologies. I also analyzed how transactions provide an extensive amount of personal data that is used to determine future marketing and business plans. As such, financial technologies do not solely function as technical systems but also to shape social structure in modern economic life.

BS (Bachelor of Science)

Cryostat; Cashless; Digital payment systems

School of Engineering and Applied Science Bachelor Science in Mechanical Engineering Technical Advisor: Ethan Scott STS Advisor: Karina Ripley Technical Team Members: Mia Petersen, Mary Cotter, Mohammad Ahmadzai, Andrea Rojas Ramirez, Brandon Flores Castaneda, Matthew Orellana-Aquino, Raymond Ni, Philip Li, Jimmy Chen, Jonathan Martinez, Tristan Huynh, Jimmy Bastos Infantas, Hannah Heafner

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2026-05-05