The University of Bath has reinforced its long-standing research partnership with CERN, the world’s leading particle physics laboratory, following a visit by Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Phil Taylor to Geneva on 9 February. The visit highlighted Bath’s growing role in major international science programmes and its expanding contribution to CERN’s flagship experiments.
Hosted by Dr Gautier Hamel de Monchenault, Professor Taylor, along with Dr Alexander Lunt and Professor Carl Sangan from the University, met with CERN’s new Director-General, Professor Mark Thomson, to discuss the growing partnership between the two institutions.
As part of the visit, the delegation headed 100 metres below ground into the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) cavern to see one of CERN’s flagship experiments first hand. The CMS detector is one of the general-purpose detectors analysing particles produced by high-energy collisions inside the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider.
Researchers and students from the University of Bath have been contributing to the CMS experiment since 2019, working on operational and engineering projects to strengthen the long-term performance of the detector. These have included developing next-generation CO2 cooling technology to manage the extreme thermal conditions generated when tracking high-energy particle collisions. University of Bath researchers have also advanced precision mechanical systems and materials modelling that are essential to the tracker upgrade, one of the major CMS improvements currently underway.
These engineering advances demonstrate how the University of Bath's expertise is helping to enhance one of the world’s most important scientific instruments and ensure it remains ready for the discoveries expected in the years ahead. Research involvement is continuing to grow, supported by new investment from the University and a strong pipeline of students undertaking placements, research projects and on-site roles at CERN.
The programme also included a tour of CERN’s central workshops and a review of the support facilities for the advanced CO2 cooling systems, developed at the University for use in Geneva.
Speaking after the visit, Professor Taylor said: “CERN has long been a beacon of international scientific cooperation, and it is rewarding to see the University of Bath playing an active role in that effort. Our partnership is already delivering real impact, and this visit strengthens our commitment to supporting the next generation of discovery.”
Dr Alexander Lunt, CMS & CERN Affiliation Lead at the University of Bath, added: “Our collaboration with CERN gives Bath students and researchers a unique opportunity to work at the frontier of science and engineering. We’re proud of the contribution our teams are making, and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead as this partnership continues to grow.”
The visit concluded with an exchange between the Vice-Chancellor and members of the CERN–Bath community, including researchers, students and alumni who make significant contributions across CERN’s scientific programmes.