3rd year Physics Undergraduate Poppy Silk has just taken part in the I.FAST CBI(I.FAST - Innovation Fostering in Accelerator Science and Technology, CBI - Challenge Based Innovation)
Following an online programme of introductory talks and team-building activities, 23 students (representing 17 nationalities studying in 12 European countries) met face-to-face for the first time on 26 July 2022 at the European Scientific Institute.
Working from scratch over 10 days, in 4 multidisciplinary groups (physics, engineering, environmental science, law, business and communication), each team identified a specific environmental challenge and then proceeded to develop an innovative solution involving particle accelerators.
I.FAST CBI adopted an open innovation approach, with regular cross-pitching sessions encouraging teams to provide constructive feedback on each other’s projects and share expert knowledge.
For the final pitching session, the group moved to CERN and its Main Auditorium. An expert panel had the unenviable task of deciding which of the four teams would win the Golden Proton award.
Projects included:
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Investigating the real-time impact of microplastics in the ocean with a compact synchrotron source mounted on a retrofitted research ship;
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Using an electron accelerator to engineer an irradiated nanofibre composite to improve the longevity of wind turbine blades;
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Eliminating toxic green algae blooms by using a compact electron beam accelerator to tackle excess build-up of nutrients in the water;
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Deploying a transportable container-based electron beam accelerator to decontaminate polluted surface soil.
All four teams were warmly congratulated by the panel for the impressive amount of work accomplished over such a short space of time and the exceptional quality of their reports and presentations. After much deliberation, the first ever I.FAST CBI Golden Proton award was presented by Mike Lamont (Director of Accelerators and Technology at CERN) to “Project Cyan”, the team seeking to combat green algae bloom.
Here is what Poppy said about the experience:
“I learnt loads from the wide range of disciplines present (from lawyers to engineers to business majors), and enjoyed using what I’d learnt in my degree to solve real world problems! It was definitely a very challenging but rewarding 10 days.”
Applications for the 2023 edition of the I.FAST Challenge open in December 2022