Generals

Nicholas Prouse, a researcher at Imperial College London , presented in his seminar the Water Cherenkov Test Experiment (WCTE), which began collecting data at the end of 2024 in the CERN T9 beam. The data collected by WCTE will be used to improve pion reconstruction in water Cherenkov detectors and to analyze interaction cross-sections using a known particle flux. The results of this experiment will have a direct impact on Super-K, T2K, and Hyper-K.

On March 19, the LSC participated in The Wave conference, held at the Zaragoza Conference Center, where we conducted a workshop on radon, given the national interest in this topic and our expertise in its air monitoring and the measurement of its emanation in materials. In its second edition, The Wave brought together experts and companies for three days to explore how to transform technology into a real competitive advantage.

From March 12 to 14, the LSC participated in TRANSFIERE, Spain's most important R&D&I fair, held in Málaga. This forum connects the entire Spanish innovation ecosystem and boosts its international projection, promoting the transfer of scientific and technological knowledge. Together with 11 other ICTS, we showcased the services we offer, reaffirming our commitment to maximizing the impact of research on society.

The LSC successfully completes the implosion test campaign, in collaboration with SOCIB, for the validation of protective covers for the photosensors of the international neutrino telescope Hyper-Kamiokande.

Like every year, the LSC joins the celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day dedicated to highlighting the essential contributions of women to the scientific and technological community. We remain committed to promoting education in equality and increasing the visibility of women in science. Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science to all!

Last week, the eighth implosion test campaign was successfully completed to validate the protective covers of the sensors for the future HK neutrino telescope. Over three weeks, a team of 15 researchers from LSC, DIPC, UdG, and Japanese institutions conducted the tests at the SOCIB facilities in Palma. A total of six tests were carried out, confirming that the cover prototype can contain an implosion in case of failure. One step closer to ensuring the safety of the 22,000 eyes of HK.

The LSC wraps up another year filled with neutrinos, dark matter, and microorganisms competing for survival in low-radiation environments. We’re gearing up for a 2025 full of new challenges and exciting discoveries. Before we go, here’s a challenge for you: Could you guess what our Christmas tree is made of? Hint: In 2025, we'll continue safeguarding the 20,000 eyes of Hyper-Kamiokande.

Last week, a new campaign of hydrostatic tests was completed to validate the protective covers of the sensors for the future HK neutrino telescope. A team from the LSC traveled to the ITP facilities in Mòra d’Ebre (Tarragona) to carry out this campaign. In total, six covers were tested to evaluate their resistance to hydrostatic pressure based on the contact surface and the morphology of the steel cover and the acrylic dome.

Carmelita Carbone, a researcher at IASF-Milano and a member of the EUCLID collaboration, presented the high-resolution DEMNUni cosmological simulations she developed, integrating massive neutrinos into the cosmological model. Cosmological simulations are essential tools for unraveling the mysteries of the Universe, providing key insights into its origin, evolution, and composition.

From November 11 to 13, the LSC hosted the first workshop dedicated to Radon R&D&I, with a wide participation of experts and scientists. The objective of this meeting was to bring together the different groups working on research projects related to the Radon problem in Spain. The conferences promoted scientific exchange and underlined the importance of fostering new projects that generate knowledge and solutions for the benefit of society as a whole.