Next August, a large international conference will be held to celebrate the centenary of Lord Rutherford’s discovery of the atomic nucleus. It will take place in Manchester, the spiritual home of nuclear physics, where Rutherford carried out his pioneering work that marked the birth of the atomic age, and in doing so defined the course of the 20th century.It is ironic that now, 100 years on, this still vibrant research discipline is in danger of being wiped out in the UK as the axe falls on public spending later this year. Of course, every Tom, Dick and Professor will be arguing loudly that their research field is exciting, important and hence deserving of continued funding. Why then should nuclear scientists’ cautionary warning over possible budget cuts be heard above anyone else’s?
Nuclear physics is not difficult to sell as a ‘sexy’ area of science. For at the forefront of research in the UK and around the world today are many exciting and challenging questions. One major goal of the subject is to synthesise and study all possible types of nuclei in what is being referred to as the nuclear genome project. This will help us better understand the nature of the ‘glue’ holding together over 99% of everything we see around us.Another goal of nuclear physics is to understand the fundamental processes that take place in space. Every star shines because of the energy provided by nuclear reactions taking place inside it. It is also nuclear reactions that drive the spectacular stellar explosions seen as supernovas, which create nearly all of the chemical elements. It is a humbling thought that every one of us is literally made up of stardust.
However, nuclear physics is not just about curiosity driven research. Unlike many other disciplines, the work has direct societal benefits and applications, in healthcare, radiological protection and the nuclear industry; all require skilled scientists trained to a large extent by academic nuclear physicists. It is therefore a mystery why the UK funds nuclear physics research at the level of just 5% of that of France and Germany.Maintaining a nuclear-skilled workforce means there is a great potential for the UK, since the current nuclear renaissance brought about by the need to curb the use of fossil fuels is a worldwide activity. Just look at France: their leading position as a provider and exporter of nuclear fission-generated electrical power has without doubt been underpinned by their funding of academic nuclear research.
The UK already has too small a group of academic nuclear physicists and further loss of active academic researchers will mean that the discipline, and the expertise, is lost from universities. From studying how stars shine to applying that knowledge to the development of new treatments for cancer, UK nuclear physics funding as a discipline – one that costs less than a tenth of the UK’s annual CERN subscription – cannot be allowed to disappear.
Jim,
I hate to break it to ‘ya but, the UK is dead. It’s been dying for a long time now. It’s not the power house it once was. Rutherford was lucky to be able to conduct his research at a time when much was destined to be uncovered and, Britain was an investing, forward thinking nation.
Unfortunately, people who have foresight for the betterment of Science and, ultimately humanity, do not reside in the UK any longer. It’s a dead zone.
I would suggest Physicists go abroad where their work is appreciated, rather than flog a dead Horse in the UK. I truly wish you luck in your ‘Quantum Biology’ endeavours. in the face of cuts.
Science is the greatest challenge to Mankind. Lose it at your peril.
If I were to ever get the opportunity, I would set up bio-detectors to analyse , detect, confirm and, show the ‘escaping pathway signs/tracings’ of the strange phenomena that imbibes ‘life’ as it leaves a living being through Quantum tunnelling/de-cohesion . I predict this will be detected in the next few decades but, Probably abroad.
Good luck Jim.