CERN’s Research Helps Unlock the Secrets of Our Universe

Most of us tend to associate CERN (in French Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire) with cutting-edge research, underground particle accelerators, and an ever more detailed knowledge of the world around us. At the same time, new smart technologies and engineering solutions are being developed at CERN in order to carry out such highly sophisticated experiments of fundamental physics. Ramūnas Aleksiejūnas, Professor at the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology of the Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University and Executive Director of the CERN-LT Consortium, outlines the reasons behind the establishment of CERN, the Lithuanians involved in its activities, and the applicability of the technologies developed there.

Motivations behind the establishment of CERN

Located in Switzerland, CERN is the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory or, if literally translated from French, the European Council for Nuclear Research. The decision to set up this laboratory almost 70 years ago was based on several reasons.

“The primary purpose of CERN was fundamental research on nature. Scientists working there seek to understand elementary particles as deeply as possible since they are the essential and smallest building blocks that make up the entire world. These particles and their interactions are what make our universe what it is,” says Prof. R. Aleksiejūnas.

Another equally important reason for establishing CERN was the aim to bring together European physicists for peaceful research, as during World War II, many of the most talented nuclear physicists were involved in the development of nuclear weapons. CERN was to become the place where they could finally engage in non-violent research. Even today, it remains one of CERN’s founding principles: no war-related activities can be carried out there.

The third motivational factor for setting up CERN was of a practical nature. With research on elementary particles becoming more and more complex and expensive, no country was able to continue to finance and carry out such research on its own.

“In order to conduct such high-level research, separate countries had to cooperate. Until World War II, Europe was the world’s science hub, but after the war, it fell behind the United States. Therefore, the field of elementary-particle physics, with CERN at its forefront, not only fostered collaboration among top physicists but also made it a global leader,” explains the scientist.

CERN-LT to bring together scientists from different disciplines

The history of the CERN-LT Consortium is linked to the desire of Lithuanian scientists to participate in CERN’s affairs. “The first contacts between Lithuanian scientists and CERN were established back in 1992. Although the number of joint research projects increased over time, these were isolated, uncoordinated activities. The situation changed in 2018 when Lithuania became an Associate Member of CERN, and there emerged a need to bring together scientists working in this field,” states Prof. R. Aleksiejūnas.
First, the Experimental Nuclear and Particle Physics Center was set up, assembling researchers of this particular field. However, it was eventually realised that it was still not enough to cover all CERN-related activities in the country.

“We knew that there were many scientists in Lithuania working on materials that could be applied at CERN. Medical professionals, computer scientists, as well as specialists in semiconductor physics and spectroscopy – were all involved in CERN’s activities. Projects related to the education of teachers and the general public were developed as well. This led to the idea of creating a broader umbrella structure – a multi-university consortium that would attract scientists not only from the Experimental Nuclear and Particle Physics Center but also from other fields into a single organisation, thus paving the way for joint projects on CERN technologies,” says the physicist.

Associate Membership opens up a wide range of opportunities for Lithuania

Having become an Associate Member of CERN, Lithuania unlocked broad perspectives for its scientists and entrepreneurs. Today, the majority of CERN-related research (around 80 per cent) is carried out at Vilnius University.

“Although Lithuania is not yet a full member state of CERN and, thus, cannot be called its full stakeholder, our scientists have access to CERN’s infrastructure and data. Doctoral students from Lithuanian universities can apply for CERN internships as well as seek employment at its laboratories. The country’s companies have the opportunity to participate in CERN’s procurement processes by offering their experience and services,” explains Prof. R. Aleksiejūnas.

In addition to participating in such procurements, businesses benefit from other advantages as well. Lithuanian industries, such as lasers, electronics, and others, are expanding rapidly and require highly qualified employees.
“In cooperation with CERN, Lithuania’s research and studies institutions are able to train very high-level professionals who can easily find jobs in Lithuanian companies and become excellent engineers, computer scientists, or specialists in other fields. So, they apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies directly for business purposes. This is a huge contribution that is often overlooked,” the scientist shares his insights.
Another important point to mention is that CERN produces a lot of very specific equipment, such as magnets, accelerators, detectors, and software, which requires exceptional engineering skills and knowledge. Moreover, its engineering inventions can become practical solutions.

“Such products could certainly be of interest to businesses. The CERN-LT Consortium is also engaged in commercialisation activities and developing prototypes with the potential to become real-life products. One of these is a special probe for cancer treatment – brachytherapy – which has been prototyped and patented by scientists at the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology of Vilnius University. Clinical trials with patients are carried out in cooperation with the National Cancer Institute,” says Prof. R. Aleksiejūnas while illustrating the potential of one of CERN’s products.

CERN technologies in daily life

The great thing about science is that in the early stages of invention, it is still very difficult to say where a certain innovation will be applied. However, we already have a number of examples where technologies developed at CERN have found their way into our everyday lives.

“The Internet is often considered CERN’s greatest gift to humanity, but there is more to that, including touch screens and the most powerful superconducting magnets used in levitating trains and medical diagnostic equipment. There are examples where high vacuum technologies have been applied in daily life as well – water-heating solar panels were installed at Geneva Airport. To keep the temperature of the heated water stable while flowing through the pipes, a former CERN scientist harnessed CERN’s expertise in applying vacuum technology (involving highly porous materials) that enabled the thermal insulation of these pipes and reduced heat transfer losses,” says the researcher.

Data science, processing, transfer, and storage are of particular importance to CERN. According to Prof. R. Aleksiejūnas, among all Lithuanian researchers, our IT scientists are probably best-known at CERN.

“Along with IT specialists and physicists, medical scientists are also actively involved in CERN’s activities. They have started developing hadron therapy methods, where malignant tumours are destroyed by irradiating them with ultra-fast protons or other particles. This method is new and complex, yet it will allow tumours to be treated much more precisely and effectively compared to other radiological techniques. Today, there are at least two centres around the globe to use hadron therapy for cancer treatment. In the future, such a centre might be established in the Baltic States as well,” adds the Professor.

Fundamental research remains CERN’s key focus

Gaining a deeper understanding of the universe is still CERN’s main task. Prof. R. Aleksiejūnas emphasises that we should not create unrealistic expectations that all CERN’s activities have to bring quick “daily” returns.
“The story has it that Michael Faraday, when asked by a British government official about the practical value of his discoveries in electricity, replied: “Why, sir, there is every probability that you will soon be able to tax it.” Therefore, we really do not want to over-emphasise CERN’s role in developing everyday, easy-to-use technologies because its key task is much broader – understanding the universe,” remarks Prof. R. Aleksiejūnas.

It is also worth noting that CERN adheres to the principle of openness and honesty. According to the researcher, “Scientific papers produced at CERN are published on an open access basis to ensure that less affluent countries and their scientists are not disadvantaged.” The CERN-LT Consortium is also open to all researchers who have links and scientific projects with CERN.
“Conducting joint activities with CERN is a key criterion for them to join our network. We are constantly trying to expand and are looking for collaboration opportunities. Thus, one of our goals is to combine our efforts with Lithuanians working abroad and already having experience at CERN, and to find ways to encourage them to return to Lithuania. We are definitely open to cooperation,” concludes the physicist.