From Science, December 16, 2021: And the winner is….Science has declared AI-driven software that offers insights into basic biology and revealing promising new drug targets the Breakthrough of 2021. The Muon g-2 story, At last, a crack in particle physics’ standard model?, was among the finalists in this impressive listing of science innovations that occurred this year. Read more about the winner and other amazing science discoveries recognized by Science.
In the news
From Nature, December 14, 2021: Nature news editors have compiled their list of defining moments in science and research in 2021. Fermilab’s Muon g-2 results announcement was included in the editors’ ten picks when it opened the door to major changes in physics.
From ABC 7 Chicago, December 10, 2021: Last Friday, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm toured Fermilab as she highlighted clean energy programs helping battle climate change. Fermilab was the final stop on the secretary’s two-day visit to Illinois that was part of a series of visits to highlight projects around the county that are making a positive impact on the environment.
From World Nuclear News, December 7, 2021: A neutrino detection kit has been installed in the containment of Argentina’s Atucha 2 reactor in support of a US-Argentine experiment to learn more about the mysterious particles. Scientists of the vIOLETTA Project are using sensitive Skipper CCD equipment designed and prepared by Fermilab and Berkeley labs. It will be able to detect interactions between neutrinos and a silicon matrix. The experimental arrangement will give them insights on neutrinos at previously unexplored low energy ranges.
From The Chicago Sun-Times, December 7, 2021: Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm will visit and tour Fermilab on Friday with Gov. Pritzker and Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood and Rep. Bobby Rush, the chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy subcommittee. The visit aims to highlight how the historic climate investments of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda will help lower energy costs and generate good-paying, union jobs.
From Wired, December 5, 2021: Years of conflicting measurements have led physicists to propose a “dark sector” of invisible particles that could explain dark matter and the universe’s expansion. Now, four analyses released yesterday by the MicroBooNE experiment from Fermilab and another recent study from the IceCube detector at the South Pole both suggest that these more complex neutrino theories may be on the right track—though the future remains far from clear.
From Stony Brook University, December 1, 2021: Chang Kee Jung, founding member of the DUNE collaboration, is recipient of the 2022 Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize by the American Physical Society. Professor Jung is being recognized for his outstanding contributions and leadership in experimental neutrino physics and outstanding teaching and outreach, especially in the physics of sports.
From Physics World, December 1, 2021: Researchers say there are gaps in the theory of neutrino-nucleus interactions and that improving this theory is crucial if next-generation neutrino detectors such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) in the U.S. and Hyper-Kamiokande in Japan are to realize their full potential.
From New Atlas, December 1, 2021: Neutrino research and other experiments may have new magnets to use in the future. Physicists at Fermilab have developed a superconducting magnet that can perform at high temperatures and higher field strength. Read more about the work of Vladimir Shiltsev and Alexander Zlobin.
From Science, November 29, 2021: Fermilab’s Muon g-2 result announcement is included in Science’s Annual People’s Choice Award listing of 2021 science breakthroughs. Place your vote through Dec. 6. On Thursday, 17 December, the winner of Science’s Breakthrough of the Year award will be announced. Vote today using twitter.