The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) created by C.E.R.N. is the world's largest, most expensive, and the hottest discussed topic amongest scientists and the religious. The black hole machine as it is also called, is designed for scientist's to re-create the conditions that happened after the big bang. Basically what happens is protons or ions are sent off in opposite directions until enough speed is built up. They are then slammed together and scientists gather the information during and after the impact. This information is then analyized and studied.

Another wonderful tool that C.E.R.N. is developing is the Grid. By the way, the scientists of C.E.R.N. were the inventors of the Internet. Yes, the World Wide Web was created by them. It was originally designed for communications network that the scientists could send work and messages back and forth in this massive complex. Back to the Grid, it is sort of like what S.E.T.I.\B.I.O.N.I.C. is using to analyize the information from space, weather patterns, anything that takes up massive processing. This system sends out information to countless users who can use their own computers at home to do the processing. This information is then sent back to the main system to be used or discarded. The Grid is going to combine and allow people to process the mega amounts of data that will come from the L.H.C.

So why is this so important? By breaking down the smallest particles scientists can learn about the building blocks of the universe! A new physics, in fact a new science will be created from these experiments. As popularized in the book and upcoming movie "Angels and Demons" by GASP! Dan Brown, antimatter and the discovery of how "god" could have created the universe may be discovered. Along with that, think of the energy sources that could be discovered and used.

How does this machine work? 100 m. below the surface and 26 miles in diameter the super collider stretches in Switzerland and partially into France. As easily as I can explain, magnets push the particles around in temperatures that are much colder than space. According to C.E.R.N. it's at a temperature of -271 C. This is required to conduct electricity without the loss of resistance or power. The problem that we have now seen is that when the first A.L.I.C.E. project was run some magnets failed. Taking a long time to bring temperatures back up just to go inside and work on the project. The other problem is expense, this will cost 29 million in repairs!

What's the problem and complaints? The safety and concerns that the machine will cause the end of the planet has been brought up. Will antimatter become the new weapon of mass destruction. Anti-matter would have to be kept in a vacuum because if it touches any matter, even air, the explosion would be massive. Mini-black holes have been brought up by many, even brought into U.S. Federal and International Courts (The European Court of Human Rights) to keep C.E.R.N. from conducting the experiments. This suit was brought up by religious and believe it or not scientists. Many believe that mini-black holes will be created, then traveling down settle in the Earth's core. Combining they will then destroy the planet from the inside. Others are afraid of cosmic rays, which C.E.R.N. is studying as part of their experiments. As scientists and any basic astronomy class will tell you, Earth is bombarded by cosmic rays much, much stronger than the collider can produce. As far as the black holes, well as explained before hand. When ANY antimatter comes in contact with ANY matter there is a reaction. The black holes would simply disappear before they even reached the outside of the machine, let alone sink to the center of the Earth. Many other safety concerns have been brought up and can be discussed and viewed in C.E.R.N.'s own website. http://public.web.cern.ch/public/en/LHC/Safety-en.html

To me this is a valuable asset to the science and world community. I am totally impressed with the advances of mankind and cannot wait to see what the future holds.

References and Resources:

C.E.R.N.: http://public.web.cern.ch/public/ This website is free to the public, you can join the community and if you are a member of the science community more benefits can be opened up to you. Teachers and students: This is a valuable resource with many learning and research programs. Tours and camps are also available to our teachers and up and coming scientists.

String Theory in a Nutshell: by Elias Kiritsis pub. by Princeton University Press. 2007

Angels and Demons was referenced by myself. written by Dan Brown pub. by Simon & Schuster, Inc. 2000

Class Action Suits information by M.S.N.B.C.