Photons Help Scientists Study Diseases and More

Photons Help Scientists Study Diseases and More - Science in the News

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

By Amber Bennett

An enormous ring-shaped lab west of Chicago is helping scientists study illnesses; combat pollution; and design even better aircraft, batteries, and bridges.

The outer diameter of the Advanced Photon Source's experiment hall is the length of more than 3½ football fields! Plus, the building sports a pipe ring that measures more than 1,100 meters around.

So, What Is a Particle Accelerator?

Simply, it's to send beams of tiny particles at targets and record what happens. (These subatomic particles are, as the name implies, smaller than atoms.) The collisions can give scientists detailed info about the structure of incredibly tiny things.

What Do They Study at the APS?

Unlike at other particle accelerators, the scientists at the APS don't want to directly use the beam of electrons. Instead, they're trying to harness the photons (particles of light) created by the beam of electrons.

The incredible energy and small size of photons are helping scientists study the properties of various molecules. Recent studies include:

Learning more about the deadly Lassa fever in hopes of creating a vaccine
How cooling affects a nickel-containing compound's ability to conduct electricity

Tour the APS

Check out this fun tricycle tour of the APS experiment hall with one of its scientists:

Want to Learn More?

Check out this article in Science News for Students.

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