A giant cooler has reached Fermilab to aid in groundbreaking research on neutrinos and the universe.

The new coldbox is crucial for a state-of-the-art particle accelerator being built at Fermilab. This project aims to explore how neutrinos behave, which are tiny particles that outnumber atoms. According to Pantaleo Raimondi, a leading physicist on the project, understanding neutrinos could reveal how the universe and ordinary matter came to be.
The Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II) is a huge international effort costing around $1 billion and will take 15 years to complete. It includes a new linear accelerator that will send neutrinos from Batavia to detectors in South Dakota, part of the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE).
To send particles that far, they need to be super cold, which is where the coldbox comes in. It’s like the gun that shoots neutrinos across the distance, and scientists are eager to learn how these particles change during their journey.
The coldbox traveled from France to the U.S. by ship, then made its way up the Mississippi River on a barge. After that, it was carefully transported to Fermilab at a snail’s pace to ensure safety. On the final leg of its journey, it moved across the campus at just 3 mph, cheered on by researchers.
Even with the chilly weather, the delivery went smoothly. The coldbox is built to handle extreme conditions, so it was no problem being stored outside for a month. Experts from India will soon arrive to help with the installation, and that’s when the real fun begins.
Beyond just answering fundamental questions about the universe, this research could lead to advancements in technology, like wind energy and quantum computing. The new accelerator, developed with international partners, is expected to be operational by 2029.