Scientists turn lead into gold for 1st time, but only for a split second
In a breakthrough that would make medieval alchemists envious, scientists at Europe's Large Hadron Collider have successfully transformed lead into gold, producing 89,000 atoms per second.
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is a giant particle accelerator that smashes atoms together at super-high speeds. Scientists there have found a way to knock three tiny particles called protons out of lead atoms, turning them into gold atoms.
The team behind this discovery, called the ALICE collaboration, used a unique way to create gold. Instead of crashing lead atoms head-on, they looked at what happens when the atoms just barely miss each other. Researchers explained that when this happens, powerful electromagnetic fields around the atoms can cause them to change into different elements.
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"It's impressive that our detectors can handle both major collisions that create thousands of particles and these smaller events that make just a few particles at a time," Marco Van Leeuwen, who leads the ALICE project, said in a press release.
During one period of experiments from 2015 to 2018, the scientists created about 86 billion gold atoms. That sounds like a lot, but when you add up all that gold, scientists said it only weighs about 29 picograms, which is less than a trillionth of a gram. You'd need trillions of times more to make even a tiny piece of jewelry.
The machine can create about 89,000 gold atoms every second, but each atom only exists for a tiny fraction of a second before breaking apart. Recent upgrades to the machine have almost doubled the amount of gold it can make, but it's still far from practical use.
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According to Uliana Dmitrieva, a scientist for the ALICE collaboration, this is the first time scientists have been able to detect and study gold production at the LHC in this way.
"Thanks to the unique capabilities of the ALICE ZDCs, the present analysis is the first to systematically detect and analyse the signature of gold production at the LHC experimentally," Dmitrieva said in the release.
John Jowett, another scientist on the team, said that these experiments help them understand how particles behave, which is important for improving the LHC and building future particle colliders.
"The results also test and improve theoretical models of electromagnetic dissociation, which, beyond their intrinsic physics interest, are used to understand and predict beam losses that are a major limit on the performance of the LHC and future colliders," Jowett said in the release.
Scientists turn lead into gold for 1st time, but only for a split second originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
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Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) Market Overview 2025-2034 Luton, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) market is estimated to be worth approximately USD 3.5 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach a value of USD 5.8 billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. This growth is driven by an evolving landscape in the aviation sector that emphasizes safety, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management. Download PDF Brochure: Organizations across the aviation ecosystem are increasingly focused on establishing a robust safety culture, responding to regulatory mandates, and managing operational hazards proactively. These priorities are leading to a surge in demand for advanced SMS frameworks that can enhance real-time decision-making and risk assessment processes. Market Dynamics and Growth Drivers A central driver of the Aviation SMS market is the heightened focus on regulatory compliance. Governmental and international bodies, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), have introduced stringent mandates requiring the implementation of safety management frameworks. These initiatives aim to mitigate operational risks and ensure passenger safety, thereby stimulating investment in SMS platforms. The increasing integration of advanced technologies is also reshaping the market. Aviation companies are adopting artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), predictive analytics, and data visualization tools to strengthen their SMS capabilities. These technologies offer predictive insights, streamline safety reporting, and enhance real-time monitoring, which collectively contribute to improved operational safety and performance. Another significant growth factor is the steady increase in global air traffic. As the post-pandemic recovery accelerates, air travel demand is rebounding. This resurgence compels airlines and other aviation stakeholders to invest in scalable SMS solutions that can support large and complex operations while ensuring compliance and safety across multiple operational nodes. Market Challenges and Restraints Despite the positive outlook, the Aviation SMS market faces several challenges. One of the primary restraints is the high cost associated with the deployment and maintenance of comprehensive safety management frameworks. Many organizations, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), struggle with budgetary constraints, limiting their ability to adopt advanced technologies or hire specialized personnel for safety implementation and training. Furthermore, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instabilities present external challenges. 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With the incorporation of AI and cloud capabilities, SMS software platforms are becoming more intuitive and efficient, offering real-time alerts and predictive analytics that enhance safety decision-making. Services Segment The services segment, which includes consulting, training, implementation, and maintenance, makes up around 30–40% of the market. As aviation regulations evolve, the need for ongoing support services grows. These services ensure that aviation organizations remain compliant, well-trained, and equipped to manage both current and emerging safety challenges. 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Military Aviation Though smaller in market share (estimated at 15–25%), military aviation represents a crucial segment due to its operational complexities and stringent internal safety requirements. The sector benefits from stable funding through defense budgets and is expected to adopt more advanced SMS frameworks as defense agencies modernize their aviation operations. General Aviation General aviation, including private and charter flights, contributes around 10–15% of the market. Its growth is supported by the rise of pilot training programs and increased awareness of aviation safety. This segment presents opportunities for SMS providers to deliver tailored, cost-effective solutions suitable for smaller, less complex operations. Deployment Mode Analysis: Cloud-Based vs. On-Premises The cloud-based deployment model is gaining prominence, capturing nearly 50% of the market. Cloud solutions offer scalability, remote accessibility, and real-time data synchronization—features that are particularly valuable for multi-location operations and growing organizations. This trend aligns with the broader industry movement toward digital transformation. In contrast, on-premises deployment remains relevant, accounting for 30–40% of the market. Organizations in highly regulated or sensitive environments often prefer on-premises SMS to maintain control over data privacy and security. This segment will likely retain a consistent share, especially among military and government aviation entities. End-User Analysis: Airlines, Airports, MROs, and Regulators Airlines constitute the largest end-user group, representing approximately 45% of the market. They face strict compliance mandates and operational complexities that demand comprehensive SMS integration. Their focus is on reducing risks, ensuring passenger safety, and maintaining public trust. Airport authorities hold 20–30% of the market. As hubs for aviation activity, airports require strong safety management to coordinate multiple stakeholders and ensure seamless operations. SMS plays a vital role in preventing ground incidents and managing emergencies. Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) providers account for 10–15% of the market. With increasing aircraft utilization and the complexity of maintenance schedules, MROs are investing in SMS to uphold safety standards and minimize service disruptions. Regulatory bodies and aviation authorities also utilize SMS tools to monitor, audit, and guide aviation organizations. They play a pivotal role in shaping safety protocols and encouraging industry-wide adoption of SMS best practices. Regional Analysis North America North America is the leading region, holding approximately 45% of the global market in 2024. 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