Science and technology (STFC's science programmes)

CERN and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) (PDF - 1532kB - link opens in a new window)

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the most powerful particle accelerator ever built. Based at the European particle physics laboratory CERN, near Geneva in Switzerland, it is the world's largest laboratory and is dedicated to the pursuit of fundamental science.

e-Science (PDF - 102kB - link opens in a new window)

The Internet plays a vital role in science from researching ideas and conducting experiments to publishing papers.

Gravitational waves (PDF - 5904kB - link opens in a new window)

Einstein's theory of general relativity, or gravity, predicted the existence of black holes and gravitational waves. Indirect evidence suggests that they both actually exist and scientists are now searching for them to prove that they exist.

Neutron sources (PDF - 3025kB - link opens in a new window)

Neutrons are neutral sub-atomic particles with no electrical charge. Because of this, these unassuming particles are non-destructive and can penetrate into matter much deeper than charged particles such as electrons. In addition, because they have a property called spin, neutrons can be used to probe magnetism on an atomic scale.

Particle Physics Department (PDF - 8994kB - link opens in a new window)

STFC's Particle Physics Department (PPD) at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) has been at the forefront of research and technology development for more than 50 years, providing expert support and leadership to many UK and international flagship particle physics experiments.

SuperNEMO (PDF - 3720kB - link opens in a new window)

The next generation neutrino detector: Over the last three years STFC has funded research and development for the SuperNEMO project, and has now approved funding for the next three year demonstrator phase.

Synchrotron light sources (PDF - 6372kB - link opens in a new window)

Synchrotron light sources are particle accelerators - machines that accelerate electrons close to the speed of light.

T2K - from Tokai to Komioka (PDF - 6092kB - link opens in a new window)

Neutrinos are fundamental particles that make up our Universe and are among the least understood. Yet every second around 50 trillion neutrinos from the Sun pass through your body.

Page last updated: 26 May 2011 by Jane Binks