A new augmented reality application that aims to help the public understand how fundamental particle physics research can lead to real-world innovations has been launched at a conference dedicated to CERN’s proposed Future Circular Collider.
“The Code of the Universe” app guides users through a series of interactive scenes to provide an insight into the world of elementary particles, how scientists study them and how this research can have an impact in the real world, from medical technologies to digital infrastructure.
The app can be used at Code of the Universe exhibits, which take place in cities around Europe, or in “home mode” suitable for classroom or workshop settings. The app experience can be adapted for both adults and children, offering an engaging and educational interaction for users of all ages.
In one scene featured in the app, a glowing ring on the ground triggers a dramatic animation - a cylindrical cross-section of the Earth rises into the sky, revealing geological layers and the towering scale of the 90.7-kilometre Future Circular Collider, allowing users to gain a sense of just how big the machine would be if it was built.
Another aspect is the ability to launch virtual particles so that users can witness collisions of their own creation. The result is a three-dimensional burst of motion trails and particles that fills the user’s surroundings with energy and motion.
The app has been developed by CERN and the University of Liverpool’s Quantum Systems and advanced Accelerator Research Group (QUASAR Group), along with production company Polar Media, and has been funded by the Future Circular Collider Innovation Study (FCCIS) project.
It is available to download for free on Android or iOS at this link [link].
Future accelerators and public outreach
The app was rolled out at the recent FCC Week meeting that took place in Vienna in May this year. The conference is an annual event bringing together experts involved in the planning of a proposed 90.7-kilometre collider, the Future Circular Collider, that would, if approved, serve as a successor to CERN’s current Large Hadron Collider
While FCC Week was as a platform for experts to discuss the science and technical feasibility of the FCC, it was also an occasion to engage the public in activities related to particle physics, with the launch of the app one element of this.
The designers of the app hope that it can act as a bridge between cutting-edge accelerator research - traditionally reserved for experts - and the general public by making it accessible, relatable to the real world, and inspiring children and students to engage with the future of the FCC.
Complex physics concepts are often misunderstood, sometimes leading to public concerns. Outreach and education help to influence political decisions and foster a climate in which science is understood, valued, and prioritised as a driver of progress and innovation, the app’s developers say.
Public engagement was a key feature of FCC Week, with over 800 students and visitors taking part in activities at Vienna’s Planetarium and the Wiener Riesenrad.
More than 350 attendees joined the public event “The Higgs Boson and Our Life” at the Austrian National Library, which featured high-level speakers such as CERN’s Director-General Fabiola Gianotti, and looked at how the Higgs boson has transformed our understanding of the universe and why fundamental research matters for society.
The outdoor exhibition “Code of the Universe” remains on display in Vienna, inviting the public to explore the beauty of physics through art.