Three students have received the prestigious U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research Fellowships to conduct their research at Fermilab. They will pursue projects in dark matter detection, superconducting accelerator technology, and the Mu2e and CMS experiments.
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The red supergiant Betelgeuse is one of the best candidates for a nearby supernova in the coming decades. The star’s proximity to Earth would present a unique opportunity for studying the physics of supernovae and neutrinos. If Betelgeuse does explode, DUNE will be ready.
From University of Wisconsin-Madison, Sept. 28, 2020: Getting blasted with proton beams takes a toll on accelerator targets. As researchers begin to consider upgrading existing accelerators and building more powerful models, the durability of those devices is a major concern. University scientists are working with Fermilab in a new collaboration to study and improve the durability of targets and target windows, which will be important for neutrino experiments such as the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, hosted by Fermilab.
From Scientific American, Sept. 30, 2020: Hints of anomalous activity in heavy isotopes could be clues to new physics. Fermilab scientist Elina Fuchs is quoted in this piece on two new results on dark forces between electrons and neutrons.
Next week, scientists with connections to U.S. particle physics will make their morning coffee, boot up their computers and log in to a virtual community planning meeting with over 1,500 colleagues. The four-day gathering will set the stage for a process known as Snowmass, during which scientists will develop a collective vision for the next decade of U.S. particle physics research. The Snowmass process seeks to identify the most promising questions to explore in future research.
Bucher comes to Fermilab with more than 25 years of experience leading corporate communications, marketing and strategy for top global multinationals.
From University of Chicago, Sept. 24, 2020: In his new role, de Pablo — currently the Vice President for National Laboratories — will help drive and support the university’s science, technology and innovation efforts, along with their connection to policy and industry. He will also help shape emerging strategic scientific and technological initiatives and provide oversight of entrepreneurship and innovation activities at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
A scientist, avid runner and Cajun food cook, Bryan Ramson is helping solve the universe’s mysteries as a member of two Fermilab-hosted neutrino experiments: NOvA and the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment. Eager to share the joy of science with others, Ramson is active in physics outreach in the Chicago community.
Extremely massive fundamental particles could exist, but they would seriously mess with our understanding of quantum mechanics.
From Argonne National Laboratory, Sept. 28, 2020: A research team from four national laboratories, including Fermilab and Argonne, have undertaken work at two Fermilab neutrino experiments — MiniBooNE and NOvA — to construct a model of how neutrinos interact with atomic nuclei. This knowledge is essential to unravel an even bigger mystery: why during their journey through space or matter neutrinos magically morph from one into another of three possible types or flavors.