SURF study highlights economic impacts in South Dakota

From Sanford Lab, May 10, 2021: Activities at the Sanford Underground Research Facility will have significant benefits for the state of South Dakota over the next decade.

The conveyor belt taking the rocks from the crusher to the Open Cut passes close to the town of Lead, South Dakota. Image: Fermilab

Rock transportation system is ready for excavation of DUNE caverns

Fermilab feature

Fermilab contractors have successfully commissioned a system that will move 800,000 tons of rock to create space for the international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment’s detectors in South Dakota. Excavation crews will transport the rock from a mile underground to the surface using refurbished mining infrastructure and the newly constructed conveyor system.

Talented Early Career Researchers join Queen Mary on STFC-funded fellowships

From Queen Mary University of London, April 24, 2021: Dr. Kirsty Duffy, who works on the MicroBooNE experiment, received the prestigious Ernest Rutherford Fellowships from the Science and Technology Facilities
Council (STFC).

Where science meets the sacred

Symmetry feature

Sanford Underground Research Facility is making an effort to build bridges with Native American communities and operate with respect for the sacred land it is built on.

A simulated supernova neutrino interaction in the MicroBooNE detector, produced using MARLEY. This work lays a strong foundation for future supernova neutrino measurements with DUNE. Credit: MicroBooNE collaboration

Modeling collisions between argon nuclei and neutrinos from a supernova

Fermilab feature

A new computer program called MARLEY simulates supernova neutrino interactions in argon-based particle detectors.

Gina Rameika elected DUNE co-spokesperson

Fermilab feature

On April 1, Gina Rameika assumed the role of co-spokesperson for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, elected by a collaboration of more than 1,000 physicists and engineers. DUNE, hosted by Fermilab, comprises people from more than 200 institutions in 33 countries.

Crews complete major upgrade to Ross Hoists

From the Black Hills Pioneer, March 25, 2021: Ross Hoists will power the excavation of 800,000 tons of waste rock and serve as the conveyance for people, materials and equipment underground of the DUNE at LBNF.

Contractors completed major mechanical and electrical upgrades to the Ross Hoists at Sanford Underground Research Facility. Newly installed equipment can be identified by its dark blue color, the signature color of Siemag Tecberg, the company contracted by Fermilab for the design, supply and commissioning of the Ross Hoistroom upgrade. Photo: Matthew Kapust, Sanford Underground Research Facility

Crews complete major upgrade to Ross Hoists

Fermilab feature

The Ross Hoists, built in the 1930s, receive major upgrades in preparation for LBNF/DUNE construction and operation.

Peruvian space agency studies the neutrino, an abundant particle on the universe

From Andina (Peru), March 22, 2021: Read more about the participation of Peruvian engineer Juan Vega from the Directorate of Astronomy and Space Sciences (DIACE) of the Peruvian Space Agency in the development of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment managed by Fermilab.

South Dakota’s DUNE Project — Kiewit-Alberici Preps Former Goldmine for Science Experiment

From Construction and Engineering, March 16, 2021: A construction and engineering short view on the development of DUNE and the impressive engineering and excavation process involving hundreds of thousands of tons of rock almost a mile below the surface.