High-energy physics, often associated with experiments conducted in large particle accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), and it seems an abstract field, distant from our daily lives. However, its discoveries and derived technologies have surprisingly permeated various aspects of our everyday reality. Let’s explore some of these applications seemingly unrelated to High-Energy Physics. particle HEP Physics
Medical Imaging Technology:
Particle detectors, initially designed for particle physics experiments, have found an unexpected home in the realm of medicine. The precision required for particle detection has given rise to technologies essential in medical imaging.
Devices like computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning, have improved to the innovations driven by high-energy physics research.
Cancer Therapy: particle HEP Physics
High-energy physics has redefined cancer therapies with the development of radiotherapy. The controlled application of high-energy radiation in cancer therapy draws insights from particle physics. The journey from particle detection to the development of sophisticated imaging devices has contributed to the precision and effectiveness of radiation therapy, minimizing collateral damage to surrounding tissues.
Example: External Beam Radiotherapy (Teletherapy) & Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy). Radiation therapy, a common cancer treatment, relies on the controlled application of high-energy radiation to eliminate cancer cells.
Read this article on the use of our product Alibava System Classic used for microdosimetry in protontherapy
Electronics and Sensor Technology:
From smartphones to digital cameras, the electronic devices that define our modern lives incorporate technologies born from particle physics research. Semiconductors and high-precision detectors, initially designed for experiments, now underpin the sensors and electronic components that form the backbone of our daily interactions.
Example: Silicon detectors, originally developed for tracking particles in physics experiments, have seamlessly transitioned into high-performance silicon chips. These chips are the foundation of devices like smartphones and digital cameras, showcasing the indelible mark of particle physics on our technological landscape.
The exploration of particle physics has led to the discovery and development of advanced materials, such as detector Materials (scintillators, Semiconductors), Superconducting Materials. These materials, initially studied for their fundamental properties, have found practical applications in power generation and the creation of more efficient electronic devices.
Example: Efficient renewable energies (efficient solar cells) , Detector Technology in Security and Screening, Carbon Fiber Composites in the Aerospace Industry, Battery Technologies in Electric Vehicles, Superconducting Magnets in Medicine…
Global Connectivity:
The World Wide Web (WWW) itself has its roots in CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), where it was first developed to facilitate communication among scientists worldwide. The web, initially an internal tool for sharing scientific information, has evolved into the global platform we know today, INTERNET.
In short, the seemingly mysterious field of high-energy physics has been effortlessly integrated, leaving a direct imprint on our daily lives. From medicine to the technology we use every day, these examples demonstrate how human curiosity to understand the smallest particles in the universe leads to innovations that benefit our quality of life and move us toward a better future. particle HEP Physics