July 9, 2026 -- The Advanced Photon Source (APS) is a marvel of engineering. It generates the brightest X-ray light of any synchrotron facility in the world. It then delivers that light to 72 experiment stations, each one equipped with advanced instrumentation that allows scientists to examine materials and systems in extraordinary detail.

All of that instrumentation needs to be carefully and precisely designed, and that’s where Chasen Wolford comes in. His designs enable the APS, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility at DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory, to manipulate high-energy X-rays, which scientists use to study critical materials, proteins and other phenomena that are otherwise too fast, too small or too complex to see. This research has led to scientific breakthroughs in materials science, nanoscience and many other fields.

“I love brainstorming and fine-tuning ideas with computer-aided design until we have a solution everyone understands and is excited to build.” — Chasen Wolford, assistant mechanical engineer at the APS

“Argonne is known as a hub of high-level science and engineering,” Wolford said. ​“Scientists from around the world come to Argonne to use APS beamlines for their experiments.”

Designing the systems behind the beamlines

The recent APS Upgrade project saw the addition of several feature beamlines, equipped to make use of the greatly enhanced brightness and coherence of the APS X-ray beams. Wolford was deeply involved in this effort. He designed vacuum chambers, supports, motion systems and other components for multiple feature beamlines.

“The scale of my work at the APS is immense,” he said. ​“I’ve worked on components as large as the Grand Tube, a vacuum chamber nearly 3 meters diameter and 21 meters long, to samples and motions in the sub-micron range.”

The Grand Tube at Sector 9 of the APS provides the ultra‑high vacuum environment needed for long-distance transport of beams with minimal scattering or contamination. Wolford’s work on the Grand Tube was key to realizing the upgrade’s goals of exploiting the brighter, more coherent beams for faster, more in-depth experiments.

“My goal for the systems I design is that they work so smoothly that they’re practically invisible — just trusted parts of the instrumentation,” Wolford said.

The feature beamlines are now online, but that doesn’t mean his work is done. Because APS experiments cover vastly different fields, many require custom equipment, which needs to be designed by engineers. The parade of new experiments coming to the APS arrive with new challenges — and, according to Wolford, ​“that’s what makes working here so fun.”

Solving complex challenges through collaboration

The best part of his week, he said, is sitting down with scientists and other engineers to talk through what they’re trying to measure and what’s getting in the way.

“My favorite sessions are when we’re able to simplify a messy problem,” he continued. ​“I love brainstorming and fine-tuning ideas with computer-aided design until we have a solution everyone understands and is excited to build.”

Many of the problems he solves involve some form of integration. For example, he might be tasked to figure out how to position a sample for the X-ray beam to hit it correctly. Another example is making instruments more user-friendly by adding utilities.

“Of course,” Wolford interjected, ​“I don’t work in a vacuum, though I do work with vacuums.”

At the APS, projects are inherently collaborative. Wolford works closely with scientists, engineers and technicians to ensure an experiment is ready to go. By putting their expertise together, they are able to design, iterate, release production documents, assemble parts, install them and make sure they’re functioning properly.

“My favorite part is the energy and curiosity from everyone involved,” Wolford said. ​“The scientists are genuinely excited to explain their research, and the engineers are just as excited to talk through unconventional solutions. Being right at that intersection of deep science and practical engineering is really fun.”

Argonne accelerates the science and technology that drive U.S. prosperity and security. Argonne staff are thinkers, builders, problem-solvers and caretakers — every person and every role contributes to the laboratory’s impact on the world.

From hands-on tinkering to engineering innovation

His experience outside the lab also involved collaboration. After studying mechanical engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, he worked as a design engineer and project manager. He worked in bulk material handling, precision temperature control, computer numerical control tooling, plastic extrusion equipment and armored vehicle design.

“Those roles taught me that I really enjoy being hands-on and close to the people who build and use what I design,” he said. ​“It reinforced my belief that an engineering degree should expand your willingness to engage with ​‘dirty’ or detailed work, not distance you from it.”

This philosophy was instilled during his childhood in Bradenton, Florida. Growing up, Wolford was surrounded by tools and machines and encouraged to take things apart.

“My dad and grandfather liked to say, ​‘You can’t fix it if you don’t know how it works,’” he said and smiled.

Wolford took full advantage of his opportunities to tinker. He took apart cars, bikes and other objects. This gave him early exposure to mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems. In high school he set up an engineering lab and curriculum and led engineering-focused extracurriculars.

His aptitude for hands-on work would serve him well when he joined the APS in 2020. At that time, the APS Upgrade project was underway, and Wolford supported this monumental effort as an associate designer before moving into a staff engineering role.

Some of his recent projects have led to ongoing patent applications.

He explained how one of these came about: ​“In passing, an engineer mentioned he wasn’t thrilled with the standard solution to a particular issue. After thinking deeply about the automotive parts involved, I was able to identify a new solution and make a prototype.”

A few iterations and prototypes later, Wolford now has two patent applications under review.

“You’ll hear a lot of ​‘that’s just how we do it’ or ​‘that’s the way it is,’” he advises aspiring engineers. ​“That may end the conversation, but it doesn’t have to end your own investigation. Take things apart, understand the fundamentals and embrace hands-on work. Being willing to learn, and getting your hands dirty will make you a much stronger engineer.”

He also stressed the importance of approaching your work with integrity.

“Argonne’s Core Values show up in very practical ways,” he said. ​“Safety and rigor drive how I approach design and documentation, for example I also focus on impact by aiming for designs that quietly work, are easy to align and maintain and make life easier for users and operations staff.”

Wolford is excited about a long-term career at Argonne and continuing to support the APS beamlines as they evolve.