WHAT EXPERTS SAY
Suggested Alternative physics research for CERN physicists while awaiting proof-of-safety for the lhc
Nuclear Energy Research
Deuterium-Deuterium fusion has the potential to solve all energy problems of mankind. Two routes have shown some success – namely magnetic confinement fusion, and inertial confinement fusion [aka static, or ‘cold’ fusion]. Currently, these areas have too few physicists working on those lines. This should be a high-priority for dedicated physicists.
Pebble-Bed Reactor technology is in its infancy, and extensive development of this science would allow for far more usage of nuclear reactors in lieu of fossil fuels.
Thorium Reactor technology is in its infancy and extensive development of Thorium capability would allow for current Source Material mines to fuel mankind for centuries.
Nuclear Medicine Research
Tunable, discrete-energy photon beams are in their infancy, and have a wide application potential in the medical physics sciences. Current bench-top models have demonstrated that by shining a visible-light laser at a 30 MeV electron beam, the Compton back-scattered photons are of a discrete energy in the 30 KeV range. By tuning the electron beam energy, one tunes the back-scattered photons to any desired discrete energy. Medical applications include replacement for traditional “x-ray” photon beams that are of broad energy range, in spite of ‘filtering’. Opaqueing agents could be developed that are sensitive to discrete energies of the photon beam for enhanced, low-radiation-dose internal imaging.
Cyclotron-produced and linear-accelerator-produced medical isotopes are extensively used in nuclear medicine, and physicists are always needed in those fields.
Nuclear Experimental Research
Magnetic Monopole searches for naturally-occurring magnetic monopoles would lead to innovative areas of theoretical research. Past evidence for moving magnetic monopoles suggest that more extensive cosmic-ray detection would lead to more extensive evidence. A large moon-based or space-station-based array of detectors would likely find further evidence, leading to methods of possible capture. This moon-based or space-station-based detection could also be applied to searches for naturally occurring strangelets, which might also exist, and the detection of which might ease some of the uncertainties regarding their malignant/benign status.
30 Meter Telescope
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project is a public-private partnership that fulfills the goals of a concept called the Giant Segmented Mirror Telescope (GSMT) which was identified in the National Academy of Sciences report “Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium” as the highest-priority new ground-based facility for the first decade of the 21st century. See http://www.tmt.org/
Mining of Asteroids
Raw resources and minerals could be mined from an asteroid in space using a variety of methods. Even a small asteroid with a diameter of 1 km can contain billions of metric tons of raw materials. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroid_mining
-----
ISOTOPE SCIENCE FACILITY (ISF) http://www.nscl.msu.edu/future/isf
A new rare isotope science facility would greatly strengthen U.S. research capabilities with an upgrade of the research capabilities at the NSCL by the replacment of the current CCF (Coupled Cyclotron Facility) with a more powerful facility that can be built with minimum disruption of the ongoing research and education program. NSCL has prepared a detailed whitepaper describing plans for such a facility at Michigan State University. The working name of the proposed project is the Isotope Science Facility, or ISF.