• 21 April 2026
  • 11:00 EDT
 Probing Nuclear Shapes in Relativistic Heavy Ion Collisions One of the ways to characterize atomic nuclei is by their shapes. As a first approximation, a nucleus can be regarded as a sphere containing protons and neutrons. In reality, however, nuclei can take on a variety of different shapes, such as a prolate ellipsoid or an oblate ellipsoid, and many others. Traditionally, these shapes are indirectly inferred from excitation spectra and scattering experiments. In relativistic heavy ion collisions, deformed nuclei are made to collide at highly relativistic energies. At such high energies, time dilation and length contraction allow a more direct access to the intrinsic shapes of the nuclei. These shapes are directly translated to the shape of the final state momentum distribution via the hydrodynamics of the Quark-Gluon Plasma. In this talk, I will discuss how to infer the shape parameters through a comprehensive simulation of relativistic heavy ion collisions.
  • 22 April 2026
  • 3:30 EDT
 Connecting experiments with rare isotopes to stellar abundances The origin of the heavy elements in the first r-process peak, between strontium and silver, observed in Galactic halo stars (limited-r stars), remains an open question. Neutrino-driven winds in explosive environments—either neutron-rich (weak r-process/α-process) or proton-rich (νp-process)— provide viable production sites. In this seminar, I will discuss how we can distinguish between these scenarios by constraining key nuclear physics uncertainties, particularly (α,n) reaction rates relevant to the weak r-process, and by comparing nucleosynthesis models to the abundance patterns observed in limited-r stars. I will highlight recent and ongoing experimental efforts at Argonne National Laboratory and TRIUMF, as well as new opportunities at FRIB, aimed at measuring critical reaction rates. Together with new high-quality spectroscopic observations, these efforts provide essential constraints for the next generation of astrophysical models.
  • 24 April 2026
  • 3:00 EDT
 An experiment that generated a dipole field of 5.99 T at 4.2 K using high-temperature superconducting CORC(R) wires Superconducting magnets enable energy-frontier accelerators by generating strong magnetic fields to steer and focus the particles. Although high-temperature superconductors such as REBCO (REBCO RE = rare earth) hold a strong potential for generating a higher magnetic field than Nb-Ti and N Nb3Sn, the associated magnet and conductor technology for accelerator applications is still in its infancy. The U.S. Magnet Development Program is developing REBCO magnet technology in collaboration with industry. Here we report an experiment on making a dipole magnet called C3 using commercial high-temperature superconducting CORC(R) wires. The magnet, following a canted cosθ design, generated a dipole field of 5.99 T at 4.2 K in its clear aperture of 65 mm at 6.795 kA when a resistive voltage of 105 microV appeared across one of the coils in the magnet. The stored energy was 53 kJ at the peak field. The magnet showed no degradation in the current-carrying capability at 4.2 K after the thermal cycle. We report on the detailed design, fabrication, and performance of the C3 magnet that can be of interest to potential users of this emerging technology. We also discuss issues and research needs to inform future REBCO magnet development. The experiment represented another step to addressing if the high-temperature superconducting accelerator magnet technology can increase the discovery capability of future particle accelerators.

 
  • 1 May 2026
  • 5:30 EDT
 Advanced Studies Gateway Concert: Whoa Nelly Trio The Whoa Nelly Trio brings an evening of folk, country, Americana, roots, and gospel music to FRIB, blending traditional influences with original songs. https://frib.msu.edu/public-engagement/arts-and-activities-at-frib/advanced-stu…
  • 3 May 2026
  • 1:00 EDT
 Advanced Studies Gateway public talk by Robert C. Smith: Has medicine lost its mind? – Why our mental health system is failing us and what should be done to cure it Robert C. Smith, University Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry Emeritus at MSU, examines gaps in U.S. mental health care, where many patients do not receive treatment and care quality varies. He explores broader impacts, historical roots within medicine, and how public engagement and policy can help place mental and physical health on a more equal footing. Register at https://msu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TYr4J76ZQHSLDhPNQmVH5A https://frib.msu.edu/public-engagement/arts-and-activities-at-frib/advanced-stu…
  • 4 May 2026
  • 10:00 EDT
 Design of a High-Power Proton Linac and RFQ for the SSI Energy Amplifier Subcritical Systems Inc. (SSI, Austin, TX) is developing an Energy Amplifier (EA), an accelerator-driven system (ADS) designed for efficient and safe nuclear energy generation. Central to this concept is a high-power continuous-wave (CW) proton accelerator capable of delivering a 1.5 GeV beam to the EA's subcritical assembly at currents up to 14 mA, corresponding to a nominal beam power of 15–20 MW. The accelerator will include a radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) and a five-section superconducting linear accelerator (linac). The RFQ bunches and accelerates the proton beam to 5 MeV at 100% duty factor. The RFQ design was optimized using the code RFQ Designer and the beam dynamics were modeled with Toutatis. The superconducting linac is composed of five cryomodule sections employing half-wave resonator (HWR), single-spoke resonator (SSR), and elliptical cavity geometries to efficiently accelerate the beam to a final energy of 1.5 GeV. The linac layout was optimized using GenLinWin for shortest linac length and minimal beam loss. The full beam dynamics throughout the linac were then simulated using the TraceWin. In this seminar, the preliminary designs of both the RFQ and superconducting linac will be presented, and the current design challenges and future work will be discussed.
  • 18 May 2026 – 20 May 2026
 NUCEI Collaboration Meeting The Scientific Scope of the NUCLEI Initiative is to transform Nuclear Physics through High-Performance Computing. The NUCLEI project brings together nuclear physicists, applied mathematicians, and computer scientists to provide a predictive theory of atomic nuclei. By leveraging exascale computing, we aim to understand the properties of matter from the smallest subatomic scales to the interior of neutron stars https://indico.frib.msu.edu/event/90/page/964-2026-nuclei-mission-scientific-sc…
  • 21 May 2026 – 22 May 2026
 STREAMLINE Collaboration Symposia The objective of the STREAMLINE Collaboration Meeting 2026 is to present and discuss progress on machine learning for nuclear many-body systems by members of the STREAMLINE (SmarT Reduction and Emulation Applying Machine Learning In Nuclear Environments) Collaboration. The collaboration is funded by the DOE Office of Science Nuclear Physics under grant DOE-DE-SC0026198 https://indico.frib.msu.edu/event/89/page/955-about-2026-collaboration-meeting
  • 8 July 2026 – 17 July 2026
 DRD1 Gaseous Detectors School The 2026 DRD1 Gaseous Detectors School will be held at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan, USA, from July 8 to July 17, 2026. This school will focus on state-of-the-art gaseous detector technologies, including Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detectors (MPGDs), (Multi-)Resistive Plate Chambers ((M)RPCs), and wire-based detectors. The program will feature morning lectures by leading international experts, covering a broad range of topics such as the fundamentals of gas detector physics, detector technologies, simulation and modeling, readout systems, manufacturing methods, and applications. Afternoon sessions will be dedicated to hands-on training with various detector technologies, emphasizing practical techniques and methodologies. The school is primarily intended for Ph.D. students and early-career scientists with a strong interest in gaseous detectors or plans to enter the field. Participants will also have the opportunity to present their research during a dedicated poster session. Student registration is free, but participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and personal expenses. Admission to the school is limited to ensure an effective learning environment. https://indico.cern.ch/event/1572535/