Inside CERN: Exploring the World of Particle Physics
Jul 22, 2024
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Robotics engineer Hannes Gamper discusses CERN's cutting-edge innovations, including the Large Hadron Collider's role in advancing our understanding of the universe. He explores the future Circular Collider, robotic technologies, and collaborations with universities for groundbreaking particle physics research.
The Large Hadron Collider accelerates particles to near light speed, crucial for understanding the universe's forces.
CERN's rich history includes Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and inventions like the World Wide Web, showcasing its impact.
Deep dives
Overview of CERN and Particle Physics Research
CERN is known for its groundbreaking research in particle physics, offering a platform to explore scientific and engineering innovations. The Large Hadron Collider, a key focus, accelerates protons close to light speed to study the universe's fundamental forces. CERN's purpose is to unveil new physics phenomena, often through high-energy experiments, advancing our understanding of the universe.
History of Discoveries at CERN
CERN has a rich history of impactful inventions, including Nobel Prize-winning discoveries like the Higgs boson. The World Wide Web was invented at CERN by Tim Berners-Lee. Other innovations like proton therapy for brain tumors have stemmed from CERN's research, showcasing the wide-reaching implications of its work.
Robotic Engineering at CERN
Robotics plays a crucial role at CERN in enhancing machine availability and worker safety. Robots are utilized for maintenance tasks and inspections in challenging tunnel environments, reducing downtime and risks. Engineers focus on developing customized robotic solutions to navigate the unique demands of CERN's infrastructure.
Future Circular Collider and Construction Plans
The future Circular Collider (FCC) is a proposed project three times larger than the LHC, aiming to explore new physics beyond the standard model. Construction could start around 2028-2030, spanning a decade. FCC aims to address limitations in current collision energies, offering a more extensive particle collider for advanced scientific exploration.
In this episode, I sit down with Hannes Gamper, a robotics engineer at CERN, to explore the cutting-edge world of scientific and engineering innovations at one of the most prestigious research centers in the world. Our conversation begins with an overview of CERN's groundbreaking discoveries, including the creation of the World Wide Web, and how these innovations have shaped our modern world.
We delve into the funding mechanisms behind CERN, discussing how it operates and what its priorities are now and for the future. Hannes provides fascinating insights into the Large Hadron Collider, explaining its purpose, how it can send particles at near light speed, and why conducting these high-energy experiments is crucial for advancing our understanding of the universe.
Our discussion also covers the advanced engineering technologies and robotics used at CERN, and the machinery and techniques that make these experiments possible. Finally, we look ahead to what the future holds for robotics and engineering at CERN and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
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