MCAST is now participating in the Large Ion Collider Experiment (ALICE) at the prestigious European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). Following MCAST’s acceptance as an associate academic member institution in March 2024, academics from the College’s Institute of Engineering and Transport (IET) are now actively contributing to advancements in engineering and physics. Dr Ing. Stephen Sammut, Director of the Institute of Engineering and Transport, and Dr Francis Delicata, Senior Research Officer at ARIC and Deputy Team Leader, led a visit to CERN from 9 to 11 December 2024.

ALICE, which stands for “A Large Ion Collider Experiment,” is a leading scientific endeavour conducted at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The experiment is focused on investigating the properties of quark-gluon plasma, a primordial state of matter thought to have existed shortly after the Big Bang. By colliding heavy ions, such as lead nuclei, at near-light speeds, ALICE recreates conditions similar to those of the early universe. This facilitates a deeper understanding of the fundamental forces of nature and the strong nuclear interactions binding quarks and gluons.

The ALICE detector is a highly sophisticated instrument situated 56 metres underground near the French village of St. Genis-Pouilly. It plays a pivotal role in these groundbreaking experiments. As part of this collaboration, MCAST’s team is contributing significantly to various domains, including artificial intelligence, finite element modelling, computational fluid dynamics, machine learning, materials science, electronics, and automation. Their expertise is being applied to the operation of existing systems, such as the High Momentum Particle Identification Detector (HMPID), and to the research and development of future cutting-edge technologies required for next-generation detectors and experiments.

During their time at CERN, the MCAST representatives familiarised themselves with the engineering and physics challenges of the organisation’s operations. Additionally, they engaged in discussions with key figures, including Dr Marco van Leeuwen, spokesperson for the ALICE experiment, Prof Kai Oliver Schweda, deputy spokesperson, and nuclear physicists Dr Giacinto De Cataldo and Dr Ulrich Fuchs.

Commenting on this collaboration, Dr Ing. Stephen Sammut said, “Being directly involved in cutting-edge research ensures that MCAST’s academics remain at the forefront of technological and scientific developments. It’s an exciting time for our institute, and this partnership will open up unique student learning prospects. We want all students to learn and experience the latest advancements in physics and engineering, encouraging them to remain curious while preparing them for careers in high-technology fields.”

This visit was financed by the Research Networking Scheme (RNS) 2024 of Xjenza Malta initiative (ARIMAC project – GA# RNS-2024-029).