While the benefits of basic research are unapparent initially, history has shown that many unexpected discoveries await those that are patient and persistent enough to ignore the naysayers and just experiment.
From the US space program that lost its' way and impetus, but still produced a myriad of consumer products to many other basic physics research efforts that produced microelectronics to nano technology.
Good luck and keep on going, if Congress hadn't pulled the plug on Magnetic Fusion Research with the MFTF (Magnetic Fusion Test Facility at Lawrence Livermore Labs)in the 1970's we could be energy independent today. Ah, but the oil company lobby money ruled the day then, and still does.
LHC experiments run at highest energy level yet
Summary
After overcoming some hurdles, researchers operated the Large Hadron Collider at its highest energy level yet on Tuesday, gathering data after smashing protons into each other.
Topics
After overcoming some hurdles, researchers operated the Large Hadron Collider at its highest energy level yet on Tuesday, gathering data after smashing protons into each other.
The huge underground particle accelerator at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva, is designed to probe the nature of dark matter, antimatter, an elusive particle called the Higgs boson, and any number of physics issues about how they relate to the history of the universe.
"We have observed the first collisions [and] lots of beautiful tracks. It's really fantastic," said a representative of one of the LHC's experiments, called Atlas, during a live Webcast of the event. The tracks are produced by particles created when the LHC's protons collide.
After one failed attempt to inject protons into the system, a follow-up attempt succeeded, and the accelerator was ramped up to 7 TeV. At about 1 p.m. local time, the researchers started gathering experimental data, and at 1:22 p.m. local time, the beams were stabilized so they could run without active adjustment.
The LHC control center was packed with researchers watching as protons from two beams, each at 3.5 TeV energy levels, collided.
(Credit: screenshot by Stephen Shankland)
For more of this story, read LHC experiments run at highest energy level yet on CNET News.
Talkback Most Recent of 2 Talkback(s)
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acad2kman2nd Apr 2010 -
RE: LHC experiments run at highest energy level yet
The single most important piece of news regarding the future of the human race this millennium. Thanks for the update! PLEASE keep them coming...
nickyv3118th Apr 2010
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