COVID-19

In a recent exhibit, the artist wove fantasy and physics to illustrate the temporal funk of living through a pandemic.

Creating a hypersensitive dark matter detector in a clean lab more than a mile underground is no mean feat in and of itself. Add a closed border and COVID restrictions to the mix, and you have the scenario that Fermilab, SNOLAB and the SENSEI collaboration faced. Undeterred, they found a way to proceed with installation.

Organizers of the planning exercise that helps shape the future of U.S. particle physics have moved its final workshop back by one year.

More than 3,500 researchers from around the world collaborate with Fermilab to develop state-of-the-art technologies and solve the mysteries of matter, energy, space and time. Here is a look at 10 ways Fermilab advanced science and technology in 2020.

From DOE, June 4, 2020: The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions has announced new resources for innovators to combat COVID-19 through its Lab Partnering Service and the COVID-19 Technical Assistance Program. These initiatives will allow America’s innovators to readily access vital resources and connect and partner with experts at DOE’s 17 national laboratories in the fight against the virus.

From WGN9, May 27, 2020: Fermilab scientist Jen Raaf is featured in this four-minute segment on the Mechanical Ventilator Milano, which arrived to Chicago’s Stroger Hospital last week from Italy. Physicists have been troubleshooting the design at the hospital.

From University of Cincinnati News, May 26, 2020: Fermilab physicist and UC alumna Jennifer Raaf is part of an international team of scientists and engineers who won federal regulatory approvals for a simple ventilator that could be produced quickly with common parts.

A sourdough family started at Fermilab by a graduate student visiting from Texas A&M has continued to expand and flourish.

From Company News HQ, May 18, 2020: The Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is collaborating with organizations worldwide to develop, assemble and test innovative emergency ventilators to help provide relief to patients suffering from the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These include the Mechanical Ventilator Milano, a ventilator designed through an international collaboration of physicists, including Fermilab scientists, and government and industry partners.

Physicists are finding ways to contribute to projects related to epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, supporting healthcare systems and studying public sentiment.