Bechtold helped prototype the original Advanced Photon Source (APS) and recently oversaw modular assembly for the APS Upgrade

BY JENNA V. WRAY | JULY 1, 2025

Bechtold started as a technician and now leads the Mechanical Operations and Maintenance group.

The summer of 2023 provided at least one strange moment for Ralph Bechtold.

After more than 25 years working at the Advanced Photon Source (APS), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility at DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory, Bechtold was taking the facility apart. He remembers marveling at an empty tunnel that once held a sophisticated electron storage ring, the beating heart of the APS.

“It was surreal seeing the APS disassembled after so many years,” Bechtold said.He’s been connected to the facility for more than three decades, dating back to its original design.

“At Argonne, you’re always innovating and learning new things.” — Ralph Bechtold, Mechanical Operations and Maintenance leader at the Advanced Photon Source

The disassembly was, of course, just one step of the APS Upgrade (APS-U) project, which saw that original storage ring replaced with a new one built with cutting-edge technology. This new ring is able to produce X-ray beams up to 500 times brighter than before, allowing scientists to perform experiments with greater precision.

Bechtold’s role in the APS-U was pivotal. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, he oversaw the module assembly process. Under his direction, components sourced from across the globe were assembled into the 200 modules of the new storage ring and tested at Argonne’s offsite warehouse.

Next, Bechtold coordinated teams and contractors to transport the modules to the APS and assemble them, transforming the empty tunnel into a new accelerator ready for commissioning. The whole process took place in just eight months.

Bechtold believes that teamwork, a Core Value at Argonne, was key to their success.

“Watching the upgraded APS come together piece by piece was amazing, and it required a lot of coordination,” he said. ​“We were fortunate to have the right people in the right positions.”

Bechtold’s experience with the commissioning of the original APS in the 1990s made him an invaluable asset to the upgrade project.

He began his career in high-energy physics as a technician while simultaneously attending trade school and working in a machine shop. It was not easy to balance these responsibilities, but Bechtold had been eager to get his foot in the door. He transferred to the APS in 1989.

“Working at Argonne had been a dream for me — one I never thought I’d accomplish,” he reflected. ​“But the right opportunity came at the right time.”

In the early 1990s, he was asked to prototype magnets for an exciting new project: the design of a new facility, which would become the APS. Under the guidance of his supervisor, a former magnet designer at DOE’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Bechtold designed tooling and fixtures for building APS components.

“I liked the hands-on work of being a technician,” he explained, ​“and helping with the prototypes was an outlet for my creativity.”

Magnet production for the original APS was a full-scale operation. It lasted three years and involved long hours. Bechtold fondly remembers the camaraderie among his coworkers, many of whom were his age, as they worked tirelessly to build the laminated-core electromagnets that would power the accelerator.

“We were young and enthusiastic, often working 12-hour days,” he said. ​“Back then, in my early twenties, it was a lot of fun.”

After the APS was operational, Bechtold’s group transitioned into the Mechanical Operations &Maintenance group. They are responsible for the heavy lifting at the APS, including maintenance and periodic installations.

Bechtold’s dedication and expertise led to his promotion to a staff engineering position. He now oversees technicians, plans maintenance and coordinates work across groups at the APS.

His advice to young people who are starting their careers is to get their feet in the building, even — or especially — when that means getting their hands dirty.

“I started on the ground as a technician,” he said. ​“Now that I’ve become a group leader, I realize how much that experience shaped me. Let your work speak for itself, and you will be successful.”

As group leader, Bechtold ensures the APS continues to run smoothly. His goal is to minimize downtime and explore innovative solutions, such as artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance. His team also manages the spares for older components to ensure they remain operational.

Bechtold’s decades-long career with the APS is part of a larger Argonne legacy. Both his parents worked at the lab, and his oldest son is now an Argonne engineer. He also has many lifelong friends from Argonne, many of whom have worked with him for many decades.

Despite his years of experience, Bechtold has yet to get bored. He said, ​“At Argonne, you’re always innovating and learning new things.”

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.

Returning to advice for young professionals, he added, ​“Show up and give it a shot! Take whatever skills you have and be ready to apply them to new challenges.”