Argonne National Laboratory and ETRI partner to advance silicon sensor research

On January 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, located in Illinois, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) based in Daejeon, South Korea. This partnership aims to advance research in silicon sensor technology crucial for the ongoing development of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) project at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The MOU was formalized in a signing ceremony attended by key figures from both institutions, including Argonne Laboratory Director Paul Kearns and ETRI President Bang Seung Chan, who underscored the significance of this collaboration for both nations and global scientific advancement. The Electron-Ion Collider, a major investment with a projected $3 billion budget, represents a top priority for new construction in the Department of Energy's Office of Science's Nuclear Physics division. The initiative is designed to collide electrons with ions, allowing researchers to delve deeper into the fundamental structure of matter, particularly seeking to understand protons, neutrons, and nuclei. By developing advanced sensors, the collaboration aims to enhance detection capability in high-energy collisions, ultimately unlocking new insights into elementary particles and forces responsible for matter formation. The partnership between Argonne and ETRI will span five years, focusing on joint projects, information sharing, and researcher exchanges. It will propel technology innovation in the field of high-energy physics, likely empowering technological advancements beyond the collider itself. This collaboration also echoes broader efforts of international cooperation in scientific research, fostering shared knowledge and expertise. Both parties are optimistic about the potential discoveries and the technological groundwork that can emerge as a result of their teamwork. In highlighting the unique capabilities of Argonne National Laboratory, Senior Physicist Zein-Eddine Meziani remarked on the interdisciplinary strengths that could fuel this scientific alliance. The combined expertise between the U.S. and South Korea will open doors to explorations that could reshape modern physics, introducing novel techniques and methodologies for complex experiments. As the groundwork for this partnership is laid, the excitement surrounding it reflects a growing commitment to exploring the very building blocks of the universe and expanding our understanding of fundamental forces at play.