Latest news with #CERN
The Mainichi
5 hours ago
- Science
- The Mainichi
Scientists obtain unstable gold from lead, practical use uncertain
GENEVA (Kyodo) -- A team of scientists including those from Asian countries has successfully transformed lead into gold, though it disappeared in microseconds, with the discovery published in a U.S. physics magazine last month. The team's spokesperson at CERN, a research organization on the Swiss-French border, said that although it was only an experimental finding, it could help advance human knowledge and enable the development of advanced equipment in the future. Four experiments conducted between 2015 and 2018 at CERN, formally known as the European Organization for Nuclear Research, yielded the results. The team, which included scientists from India, South Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia and Thailand, studied what happens when two lead nuclei come very close to each other in a so-called near-miss collision. After the lead nuclei moved at nearly the speed of light, they confirmed that some protons and neutrons were pulled out of the core part of the atoms. During the experiments using the Large Hadron Collider, a particle accelerating machine, lead atoms were observed to lose three of their 82 protons, resulting in atoms of gold with 79 protons. Through such near-miss collisions, the team confirmed the change that produced up to 89,000 gold nuclei per second. The result of the analysis, which involved a total of 167 institutes across the world, was published by Physical Review C of the American Physical Society in May. Marco Van Leeuwen, the research team's spokesperson, said that the gold made in the tests existed only "for a short time, microseconds or even shorter," and weighed a combined 29 picograms. One picogram is a trillionth of one gram. It would take "billions of years to make one gram of gold," he said, but noted that the scientists' work aims to enhance atomic research and may have private sector applications, such as in medical equipment that produces X-ray images. Tatsuya Chujo, a Japanese guest researcher at CERN who participated in the experiments, said, "I was surprised and excited that gold can actually be created from special reactions." "It means that we can basically produce any kinds of elements in the world by this simple and pure reaction using a world class accelerator," said Chujo, a professor at the Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences of the University of Tsukuba.
India.com
20-06-2025
- Science
- India.com
This is most expensive substance in Universe, even one gram costs Rs 5270000000000000, it is..., can be used for…
To poets, philosophers, and hopeless romantics, love might be seen as the most precious thing in the world. But when it comes to tangible creations, the ultra-rich set their sights on rare and extravagant possessions—think Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi or the one-of-a-kind Bugatti La Voiture Noire. However, the most expensive material on Earth is not gold, diamonds, or the latest crypto coin backed by billionaires. It is something much more mysterious—and much more precious. This is most expensive substance in Universe, even one gram costs Rs 5270000000000000! To put things into better perspective, just one gram of this rare material could buy every lifestyle yacht, mansion, and private island in the world—and even give you enough change to fund your space program. The $400 million Boeing 747 private jet, recently gifted to the U.S. by the Qatari royal family, grabbed global attention for its sheer luxury and jaw-dropping value. But to truly grasp the worth of the most expensive substance on Earth, consider this: just one gram of it is enough to buy 155,000 of those ultra-luxurious jets—and still have money to spare. So what it is? Any guesses? What is Antimatter? The answer? Antimatter—a material that you can find as an actual part of physics, a fancy book from particle physics labs, or a thriller novel by Dan Brown. It is commonly described as the mirror or the 'evil twin' of regular matter. For every particle that one knows about, such as a proton or electron, antimatter has its counterpart that has the same mass but opposite electric charge. And what happens when matter and antimatter meet? They annihilate each other in a burst of energy that is sufficiently powerfultant to easily outrun a supernova. The downside? Antimatter is incredibly hard to make—and even harder to store! Scientists have the capability to make it in facilities like CERN's Large Hadron Collider, but only in minuscule quantities, and at a massive energy and time expenditure. So far, only a handful of nanograms have ever been made, and none have lasted long enough to seriously consider actually opening up a bank account, much less sit down with a financial advisor. So, why bother with something that is so hard to pinpoint? Antimatter could eventually change the future of energy and space travel. In theory, just one gram of antimatter could produce the same energy equivalent of a nuclear bomb without the prolonged radioactive fallout. The potential is great, but the task is enormous. Until scientists figure out how to contain it safely and make it economically viable it will remain less a source of power and more a science fiction possibility – shimmering just beyond the portal of possibility. Antimatter has an estimated price of around $62 trillion per gram—that's 62 lakh crore dollars for a minuscule amount of substance. Antimatter is now a more valuable substance than the total combined wealth of most continents, and that makes it the most expensive material ever known to existence.
Sustainability Times
18-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'CERN Achieves Unbelievable Feat': These Chilling -456°F Giant 20-Ton Magnets Drive 10x More Particle Collisions in a Mind-Blowing Scientific Milestone
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 CERN engineers are completing a crucial test facility for the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider, enhancing particle collision capabilities. are completing a crucial test facility for the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider, enhancing particle collision capabilities. ❄️ The new superconducting magnets, made from a niobium-tin alloy , operate at an extremely cold -456°F to achieve superconductivity. , operate at an extremely cold -456°F to achieve superconductivity. 🔍 The upgraded collider aims to increase luminosity by a factor of ten, allowing for more detailed studies of particles like the Higgs boson. by a factor of ten, allowing for more detailed studies of particles like the Higgs boson. 🧪 This project not only tests technical capabilities but also serves as a training ground for future installation and commissioning in the LHC tunnel. In the ever-evolving world of particle physics, the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) represents a monumental leap forward. Engineers at CERN are on the brink of completing a pivotal facility that is critical for this next-generation upgrade, which aims to significantly enhance the discovery potential of the world's most powerful particle accelerator. As a full-scale replica of the new segments designed to operate at an extremely cold -456°F, this facility marks a crucial milestone. The intricate process involves precise positioning of components weighing up to 20 tons, utilizing advanced handling equipment. This development promises to unlock new insights into fundamental physics. Boosting Delivery Potential with Advanced Magnets The HL-LHC project aims to increase the accelerator's luminosity, or the number of particle collisions, by a factor of ten. This dramatic enhancement will allow physicists to probe known particles, such as the Higgs boson, with unprecedented accuracy and propel the quest for new physics that could elucidate mysteries like dark matter. This leap forward is driven by novel superconducting quadrupole magnets, crafted from an innovative niobium-tin alloy. These magnets are capable of generating a magnetic field of 11.3 tesla, a significant upgrade from the existing 8.3-tesla magnets. To achieve the necessary superconductivity, these 20-ton magnets must be cooled with superfluid helium to a temperature of 1.9 Kelvin, colder than deep space. The current test assembly, referred to as the 'IT String,' is essential for ensuring that all components function cohesively under these extreme conditions before their eventual integration into the main LHC tunnel. This endeavor is not just a technological challenge but a gateway to a new era of particle physics exploration. 'Scientists Stunned as CERN Unveils Tiny Particle': Groundbreaking Discovery at Large Hadron Collider Sends Shockwaves Through Physics Community Strategic Testing and Training The test stand serves as a crucial platform for evaluating how various circuits perform collectively under realistic conditions. According to Marta Bajko, head of the IT String project, this phase allows for the fine-tuning of installation procedures, preparing for their eventual commissioning during the LHC's third long shutdown. The assembly's technical complexity is immense, involving a power supply line carrying over 100,000 amperes and approximately 70 intricate interconnections using specialized brazing techniques to ensure the continuity of the superconducting circuits. This testing phase is not only about technical validation but also about training. It provides teams with the opportunity to gain practical experience in a controlled environment before transitioning to the main LHC tunnel. As the installation and validation work continues, the team is gearing up for the complex cooling process, with the first power-up of the magnets expected by year-end. The success of this phase is crucial for advancing the HL-LHC project, which aims to push the boundaries of particle physics. 'Three times the size of the LHC': CERN unveils this colossal collider set to redefine the limits of particle physics exploration Understanding the Importance of Superconductivity Superconductivity is at the heart of the HL-LHC's enhanced capabilities. By cooling the magnets to a frigid temperature of -456°F, the facility leverages the power of superconductivity to conduct electricity without resistance. This remarkable phenomenon allows the magnets to generate significantly higher magnetic fields, which are essential for focusing particle beams more tightly. The result is a higher luminosity, translating to more collisions and more data for physicists to analyze. Understanding superconductivity not only aids in technological advancements but also contributes to our fundamental comprehension of physics. The HL-LHC's ability to maintain superconductivity under extreme conditions is a testament to human ingenuity and scientific progress. This capability is indispensable for achieving the project's ambitious goals, including the potential discovery of new particles and forces of nature. Lead Transformed into Gold: CERN Scientists Stun World with Historic Alchemy Breakthrough After Decades of Failed Experiments The Path Forward: Challenges and Opportunities As the HL-LHC project progresses, it faces numerous challenges, including the technical demands of maintaining superconductivity and the logistical complexities of component installation. However, these challenges are also opportunities for innovation and learning. The project exemplifies the collaborative spirit of international science, with experts from around the world contributing to its success. The HL-LHC promises to open new frontiers in particle physics, offering insights that could reshape our understanding of the universe. As the project moves closer to completion, it invites us to ponder the possibilities that lie ahead. What new discoveries might emerge from this cutting-edge facility, and how will they transform our knowledge of the cosmos? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (28)
News18
07-06-2025
- Science
- News18
Google DeepMind CEO Predicts AI Will Help Humans Colonise The Galaxy Starting 2030
Last Updated: Google DeepMind CEO and Nobel laureate Demis Hassabis said that starting 2030 humans will be able to colonise the galaxy and artificial intelligence will power this revolution. 2024 Nobel Prize winner and Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis told a news outlet recently that humans will be able to 'colonise the galaxy" starting 2030 and the revolution will be powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The Nobel chemistry laureate told WIRED that AI will lead humanity to far into the universe while turbocharging human productivity. Hassabis, who was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize with David Baker 'for computational protein design", said the 'golden era' was only five years away and that AI models set to bring about a renaissance in human existence. 'If everything goes well, then we should be in an era of radical abundance, a kind of golden era. AGI can solve what I call root-node problems in the world, curing terrible diseases, much healthier and longer lifespans, finding new energy sources," Hassabis was quoted as saying in an interview with WIRED. AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, refers to an AI system with human-like cognitive abilities, capable of understanding, learning, and applying knowledge across a wide range of tasks. 'If that all happens, then it should be an era of maximum human flourishing, where we travel to the stars and colonise the galaxy. I think that will begin to happen in 2030," he said. When asked whether abundance through AI would still result in unequal distribution, Demis Hassabis said the technology could make the world feel 'like a non-zero-sum game." Although AGI has the potential to open vast new frontiers for humanity, Hassabis has previously expressed concern that society may not be prepared for its impact and admitted that the risks and consequences of such powerful technology often keep him up at night. 'It's a sort of like probability distribution. But it's coming, either way it's coming very soon and I'm not sure society's quite ready for that yet. And we need to think that through and also think about these issues that I talked about earlier, to do with the controllability of these systems and also the access to these systems and ensuring that all goes well," he said. He has also advocated for creating a UN-style global body to oversee the development and governance of AGI. 'I would advocate for a kind of CERN for AGI, and by that, I mean a kind of international research-focused high-end collaboration on the frontiers of AGI development to try and make that as safe as possible," he further added.
NDTV
07-06-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Google DeepMind CEO Predicts AI-Powered Humanity Will 'Colonise The Galaxy' Starting 2030
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis predicts human galaxy colonisation. AI will significantly enhance human productivity and exploration of the universe, he claims. Hassabis envisions a future with radical abundance and solutions to major global issues. Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis has claimed that humans will be able to 'colonise the galaxy', starting 2030, with artificial intelligence (AI) being the driving force behind this revolution. The 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner said AI tools will turbocharge human productivity and lead us to far and away lands in the universe. Mr Hassabis said the 'golden era' was only five years away, with AI models set to bring about a renaissance in human existence. "If everything goes well, then we should be in an era of radical abundance, a kind of golden era. AGI can solve what I call root-node problems in the world, curing terrible diseases, much healthier and longer lifespans, finding new energy sources," said Mr Hassabis in an interview with WIRED, referring to human-level AI, popularly known as Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). "If that all happens, then it should be an era of maximum human flourishing, where we travel to the stars and colonise the galaxy. I think that will begin to happen in 2030," he added. Quizzed if the abundance will still lead to unequal distribution as is the condition today, Mr Hassabis said AI will make "things feel like a non-zero-sum game". AGI's future While AGI may help humanity unlock new frontiers, Mr Hassabis has previously talked about society not being ready for it and that the technology and its perils keep him up at night. "It's a sort of like probability distribution. But it's [AGI] coming, either way it's coming very soon and I'm not sure society's quite ready for that yet. And we need to think that through and also think about these issues that I talked about earlier, to do with the controllability of these systems and also the access to these systems and ensuring that all goes well," said Mr Hassabis. He has also called for the establishment of a UN-like umbrella organisation to oversee AGI's development. "I would advocate for a kind of CERN for AGI, and by that, I mean a kind of international research-focused high-end collaboration on the frontiers of AGI development to try and make that as safe as possible," he added.
