Argonne, Fermilab celebrate as Gov.
Blagojevich proclaims April 21 as Illinois Particle Accelerator Day
CHICAGO, Ill. (April 20, 2007) — In celebration of Particle Accelerator
Day this weekend in Illinois, two U.S. Department of Energy laboratories, Argonne
National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, have planned
events at their respective accelerator facilities. This is the second year
that the two labs are celebrating “Particle Accelerator Day”– a celebration
that follows Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proclamation of April 21 as Particle
Accelerator Day in Illinois.
“The technology of particle accelerators will translate into significant scientific
and economic benefits for our state and our nation, so I am happy to once again
declare April 21 ‘Particle Accelerator Day' in Illinois and encourage everyone
to learn more about the contributions of this incredible technology to our
world,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National
Accelerator Laboratory work every day to advance important new technologies
and discoveries, and we look forward to continue supporting both federal labs
in attracting even larger investments into these facilities.”
Fermilab and Argonne are world leaders in the science,
technology and operation of particle accelerators. Last year both labs formalized
their intent to collaborate on accelerator technology through a memorandum
of understanding making Illinois a global center of excellence in the development
of accelerator technology, both for scientific discovery and for the security
and economic competitiveness of the State of Illinois and the nation.
“These are exciting times for accelerator scientists,” said Argonne director
Robert Rosner, “and we are delighted with Governor Blagojevich's proclamation
of ‘Illinois Particle Accelerator Day.' Our state is home to one of the most
diverse sets of accelerators in the world, carrying out research in science
areas as different as particle and nuclear physics to material science, biological
and medical sciences and energy sciences, based on close collaborations between
national labs, universities and industry; and such collaborations position
Illinois as a recognized leader in accelerator science.”
Argonne is celebrating “Illinois Particle Accelerator Day” today by hosting
a class of honors chemistry students from the College of DuPage. These students
have been using Argonne's accelerator research facilities to perform experiments
as a part of their class, and today will tour the Advanced Photon Source. Argonne
scientists will give them a glimpse into the world of particle physics, and
will discuss the role of accelerators in today's world and the unique discoveries
they make.
Fermilab will celebrate “Particle
Accelerator Day” with Illinois high school students from Lincoln Park High
School, who tour the laboratory on Monday. The students will also join Fermilab
physicists for a discussion of the role of accelerators in the discovery of
the fundamental nature of the universe. Scientists will share their own experiences
as students and their excitement at the revolutionary discoveries that are
unfolding in the field of particle physics.
Each year, some 20,000 students from middle school through university visit
Fermilab to tour the facility and learn first-hand about science at a national
accelerator laboratory.
“We thank Governor Blagojevich for his proclamation recognizing the role of
particle accelerators in making the State of Illinois a center of scientific
leadership,” said Fermilab Director Pier Oddone. “We look forward to celebrating ‘Particle
Accelerator Day' with Illinois students at Fermilab. After all, ‘Accelerator'
is our middle name!”
The full text of the proclamation is on-line at http://www.fnal.gov/pub/presspass/press_releases/Proclamation2007.html
About Argonne and Fermilab
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology.
The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic
and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne
researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities,
and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific
problems, advance America 's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for
a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed
by UChicago
Argonne, LLC for
the U.S.
Department of Energy's Office
of Science.
Fermilab is the home of the Tevatron, the world's highest–energy particle
accelerator and a leader in the development of accelerator technology since
the laboratory's founding in 1967. Fermilab collaborates closely with Argonne
and with other laboratories around the world on R&D for the International
Linear Collider and future accelerator facilities proposed for Illinois, including
heavy ion acceleration and high intensity neutrino sources. Particle beams
from Fermilab's accelerator complex are used to treat cancer patients at Fermilab
Neutron Therapy Facility. Fermilab is managed by the Fermi Research Alliance,
LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.
For more information, please contact:
- Catherine Foster (630-252-5580)
at Argonne,
- Kurt Riesselmann (630-840-5681) at Fermilab, or
- Mark Harris
(312-814-0095) at the Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
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