Bonito Oliva Hired to Lead Series Connected Hybrid Development

Tallahassee, FL, 9 January 2007:  The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory is ramping up its magnet science and technology capabilities with the hire of Alessandro Bonito Oliva, a leading expert in the development of large magnet systems.

With more than two decades of practical experience developing, designing and fabricating sophisticated superconducting magnets for applications ranging from nuclear fusion to magnetic resonance, Bonito Oliva brings crucial experience to the lab as it prepares to build a first-of-its-kind Series Connected Hybrid (SCH) magnet. Once completed, the SCH magnet will have applications in nuclear magnetic resonance, condensed matter physics, biology and chemistry.

“Alessandro is known in the international scientific community for his adept problem solving, troubleshooting and critical thinking – attributes that are all-important as we tackle projects of this size and complexity,” said Mark Bird, interim director of the lab’s Magnet Science & Technology division. Bird also is principal investigator on the $11.7 million, National Science Foundation-funded SCH project.

Bonito Oliva, who has a Ph.D. in solid state physics as well as a MBA, will play a critical role in the NSF-funded conceptual and engineering study for a similar SCH magnet that would be used for neutron scattering experiments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Spallation Neutron Source.

After nine years as Strategic Project Manager for England-based Oxford Instruments Superconductivity, Bonito Oliva has an extensive background in definition and coordination of research and development, technical analysis, risk analysis and management, quality control, project planning and budgeting.

This is Bonito Oliva’s second association with the Magnet Lab; from 1993 to 1995, he assisted with design and technological development of the lab’s 45-tesla hybrid magnet system.