The two winning teams will look at fundamental differences between matter and antimatter. When electrons at high energies collide with a target, such as a piece of graphite, some of their energy is transferred into photons. In turn, these photons can transform into other particles. Eventually, a shower of particles at lower energy will develop. The team “Particle Peers” from the Praedinius Gymnasium, Groningen, Netherlands, has proposed to compare the properties of the particle showers originating from electrons with those created from positrons, the antimatter partner of the electron.

Due to the second, long shutdown of CERN’s accelerators for maintenance and upgrade, there is currently no beam at CERN, which has opened up opportunities to explore partnerships with other laboratories, including DESY.

Beamline for Schools is an Education and Outreach project funded by the CERN & Society Foundation and supported by individual donors, foundations and companies. In 2019, the project is partially funded by the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation.

Additional contributions have been received from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, Amgen Switzerland AG, and the Ernest Solvay Fund, which is managed by the King Baudouin Foundation.

DESY is one of the world’s leading particle accelerator centers. Researchers use the large‐scale facilities at DESY to explore the microcosm in all its variety—ranging from the interaction of tiny elementary particles to the behavior of innovative nanomaterials, the vital processes that take place between biomolecules and the great mysteries of the universe. The accelerators and detectors that DESY develops and builds at its locations in Hamburg and Zeuthen are unique research tools. DESY is a member of the Helmholtz Association, and receives its funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) (90%) and the German federal states of Hamburg and Brandenburg (10%).

Anil Seth

Four University of Utah faculty members, including Anil Seth from the Department of Physics & Astronomy, have been named Presidential Scholars. This award honors extraordinary research and academic efforts of early to mid-career faculty. The award provides these talented faculty with financial backing to support their scholarly, teaching and/or research initiatives.

The recipients are Anil Seth, associate professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy; Jorge Contreras, professor, S.J. Quinney College of Law; Kathy Sward, associate professor, College of Nursing; and Micah Drummond, associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training in the College of Health.

“These scholars exemplify the high caliber work taking place at the University of Utah,” said Dan Reed, senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “They are outstanding scholars, educators and members of our faculty. We are delighted to honor them and fortunate to have them working at the U.”

Presidential scholars are selected annually, and recipients receive funding for three years. The program is made possible by a generous donor who is interested in fostering the success of mid-career faculty.