From Gizmodo, Nov. 10, 2020: Fermilab and University of Maryland scientist Dan Carney and a small group of scientists have begun work on a prototype they say could one day lead to a dark matter detector capable of pinpointing the minute gravitational pull of a particle we can neither see nor feel. The detector is simple in design, but the theory behind its construction amounts to a fundamental rethinking of the search for dark matter.
In the news
From Interactions.org, Nov. 9, 2020: Large-scale accelerator facilities around the world, such as Fermilab and the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex, send near-light-speed proton beams into pieces of material called a target. The collision produces other particles, which scientists study to learn the fundamental constituents of matter. The RaDIATE collaboration has published new results on a target material made of a titanium alloy, shedding light on how different titanium materials respond to collisions by powerful proton beams.
From Mining.com, Nov. 2, 2020: Three batches of 99.99% pure copper plates mined in Finland, rolled into plates in Germany, shipped across land and sea to Fermilab, and finally rushed into storage 100 meters underground are being used in an experiment to search for dark matter.
From Data Manager Online, Oct. 29, 2020: Nuovi amplificatori quantistici ultrasensibili in grado di migliorare la trasmissione di dati e qubit nei computer del futuro. Le attività che verranno sviluppate all’interno del progetto “Dart wars” hanno forti sinergie con il progetto americano “Sqms” (Superconducting quantum materials and systems center), guidato dall’italiana Anna Grassellino presso il Fermilab di Chicago, che ha recentemente ricevuto un finanziamento di 115 milioni di dollari dal Dipartimento dell’energia degli Stati Uniti, per sviluppare in cinque anni un computer quantistico d’avanguardia, dalle prestazioni e velocità di calcolo mai raggiunte finora.
From Clarin, Oct. 29, 2020: Cuando era chico, Javier Tiffenberg exploraba las profundidades de los océanos a bordo del Calypso. Si quería ir más lejos, cerraba la escotilla de una nave espacial y se lanzaba a recorrer galaxias brumosas. Sólo era cuestión de sumergirse en El mundo submarino, de Jacques Cousteau, o de sintonizar Cosmos, de Carl Sagan.
From the Chicago Quantum Exchange, Oct. 29, 2020: Quantum technology experts from around the country will convene virtually from Nov. 11-13 to forge new partnerships amid an exciting year for quantum research. The third annual Chicago Quantum Summit will feature Anna Grassellino, director of the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center at Fermilab.
From Next Avenue, Oct. 26, 2020: Many older scientists stay on the job for reasons such as greater flexibility to do their work, ongoing funding for research projects and just an inherent love of science. Fermilab scientist emeritus Chris Quigg is one of three impressive researchers featured in this article on scientists over 65.
From Northern Star, Oct. 26, 2020: Northern Illinois University’s STEM Fest features presentations and activities for all ages, including opportunities to chat with STEM experts from Fermilab and Argonne.
From Center for Data Innovation, Oct. 23, 2020: Fermilab Deputy Director Joe Lykken participates in a panel discussion on the impact quantum computing will have on AI and which sectors might benefit the most from their marriage. A video of the discussion is available in the post.
From Rai Play Radio, Oct. 23, 2020: Si è aperto ieri il Festival della Scienza di Genova, un’occasione per chiamare a raccolta scienziati da tutti il mondo in un momento così complicato. Per ragionare sul ruolo della scienza in questa pandemia e sugli scenari futuri della ricerca. Tra i protagonisti di questa edizione Anna Grassellino, vice direttrice dell’area tecnologia del Fermilab di Chicago, e a capo del progetto di computer quantistico Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center, e Alessandro Vespignani.