Physics finally benefits from LHC - Large UK contributions

Protons were collided in the LHC, for the first time, on Monday 23rd November at relatively low energies. High energy collisions are expected early next year when physicists hope to discover new secrets about the nature of matter and the early universe.

Professor Keith Mason, CEO of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), said, "This is great news. The LHC is now fully on track and gearing up to some unique and possibly world changing science. We're very proud of the huge contribution of our skilled scientists here in the UK."

The UK is one of the biggest contributors to the LHC project. Through the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which funds the UK nuclear and particle physics program, including the CERN subscription, the UK has contributed vital hardware, computing and scientific knowledge and has around 150 UK scientists currently involved in the project.