"Flurry of ideas" ties together ANL, Fermilab and UChicago
The fourth Argonne-Fermilab-UChicago collaboration meeting brought together more than 70 scientists.
More than 70 scientists gathered at Fermilab at the end of June for the fourth meeting of the Argonne-Fermilab- UChicago collaboration. The group reviewed the progress made in joint accelerator R&D projects and discussed possibilities for future collaborative work.
Started in 2006 by Fermilab and Argonne, the meetings initially focused on accelerator R&D for the International Linear Collider and, more recently, Project X and the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). While these projects still represent the main focus of the collaboration, a series of research grants provided by the University of Chicago has led to joint projects in other research areas as well.
“The focus of the collaboration has expanded significantly,” said Fermilab Deputy Director Young-Kee Kim. “This year, there are more than ten proposals. Six of them include all three institutions.”
Proposals for new joint projects include the development of new detector electronics, the production of better superconducting cavities and a survey on the public understanding of particle physics and its applications.
“It’s really heartening to see this flurry of ideas that tie together these three institutions,” Fermilab Director Pier Oddone said. “We have had outstanding support through the community.”
Argonne Director Robert Rosner expressed his appreciation for the help that Fermilab has provided with regard to the proposed FRIB project.
“I’m incredible satisfied to see this collaboration,” Rosner said. “I’m extremely pleased about all the help we get.”
Harry Davis, University of Chicago, gave an update on the UC Executive Education Program. Last September, 40 employees from Argonne and Fermilab participated in this leadership program. A second group of employees began taking the course in May.
“To develop leadership skills is not a quick fix,” Davis said. “Leaders have to look at the world in different ways. I hope that the participants in this program come away with ideas that are not common to the laboratories.”
For more information on the collaboration and the proposed research projects, visit this Web site.
-- Kurt Riesselmann
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