CERN showcases projects with environmental applications

CERN researchers contribute to many projects that aim to find technological solutions to environmental problems, from fusion power to detecting marine plastic pollution from space, distributing renewable energyand developing clean aviation. These collaborations with academic and industrial partners are all under the umbrella of the CERN Innovation Programme for Environmental Applications (CIPEA), coordinated by Enrico Chesta.

Launched in 2022 with eight projects, CIPEA was subsequently expanded to encompass all of CERN’s environment-focused innovation projects that aim to have an impact beyond CERN’s own footprint. Over 25 of these projects are now under implementation in four key areas: low-carbon energy; clean transportation and future mobility; climate change and pollution control; and sustainability and green science. On 28 October, in connection with the International Day of Climate Action, 12 speakers showcased how CIPEA projects are tackling a wide array of challenges through very different means.

Discussions began with a focus on fusion, a promising potential source of clean and abundant energy for the future. Luca Bottura, leader of CERN’s Fusion Technology Coordination Unit, emphasised the mutual benefits of CERN’s collaboration with the fusion community, including work with Gauss Fusion, Rolf-Kind, ENI and ITER. Many areas of CERN expertise, such as high-temperature superconducting magnets, cryogenics and materials testing, have significant overlaps with the technological demands of nuclear fusion.

CERN technology is also supporting the renewable energy sector via a collaboration with technology company SuperNode, who aim to improve energy transfer efficiency.  José Ferreira, CERN vacuum expert, described how CERN’s unique insight into insulation vacuum technology has helped develop superconducting transmission cables capable of transferring electricity across hundreds of kilometres.

Superconducting cables are also the centre of CERN’s collaboration with Airbus. Led by deputy leader of the CERN magnets group Amalia Ballarino, this project is developing cables that could be suitable for use in potential hydrogen-powered aircraft. Other projects showcased at the event included Edge SpAIce, which aims to use CERN’s open-source AI tool HLS4ML to detect and track marine plastic litter from space, and the structured laser beam, a project facilitated by the CERN Venture Connect programme. Originally used at CERN for ultra-precision alignment, the laser beam is now used by the Dutch startup InPhocal to mark products in the food and beverages industry without the use of toxic printing inks.

The range of projects showcased during the event highlighted the diversity of CERN’s support for technologies with environmental applications. These initiatives are only possible through close collaboration with industry, with over 80% of the financial contributions to CIPEA projects coming from external partners. While some projects are due to end this year, CIPEA coordinator Chesta emphasised that new ones currently being prepared will take further small steps in the right direction towards tackling environmental issues. 

Find more information about all the projects presented during the event and read more about CIPEA and CERN Knowledge Transfer’s environment-related activities.