University of Cincinnati
08/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/04/2026 19:56
UC-built detector at CERN looks for enticing evidence to explain dark matter
UC-built detector at CERN looks for enticing evidence to explain dark matter
UC physicists, engineers collaborated on massive project involving dozens of institutions
8 minute read August 4, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print Story Like
A physicist from the University of Cincinnati and his research partners from around the world conducted an experiment in Switzerland to look for evidence that might help explain one of science's most baffling questions.
UC College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Philip Ilten led an international research team in developing a new particle detector that ran experiments at the world-famous CERN Large Hadron Collider outside Geneva.
The custom-made detector was built in large part by students and installed deep underground in the massive accelerator's tunnels so it could capture novel data from long-lived particles hurled at nearly light speed around its nearly 17-mile loop.
Physicists say only 5% of the total mass of the universe is made up of planets, stars and other visible material. The rest is composed of a mix of dark matter and dark energy.
Dark matter is called dark because unlike normal matter it does not absorb or reflect light. Nevertheless, physicists have identified its existence through its gravitational effects, modifying motion of galaxies in the universe and stars in the galaxies.
Ilten's team was able to record several weeks of data in the nick of time before particle accelerator experiments at CERN were shut down to install scheduled upgrades in a process that could take four years. But Ilten said the project demonstrated a proof of concept that could justify the creation of a larger, more sensitive detector.
"This experiment went from the ground up here at UC. I'm excited it worked as it did," Ilten said.
UC Professor Philip Ilten assembled a team of student physicists and engineers for an experiment on dark matter at CERN by researchers from around the world. Photo/Provided
Hunting for elusive particles
Growing up, Ilten wanted to be an astronaut. He keeps a signed photo of moon-walker Buzz Aldrin in his office - a present from his grandparents. He became a licensed pilot while he pursued his second passion, physics.
"It is amazing to go from an idea on paper to something where you have taken data. It's something that, as a particle physicist, I never expected to do," Ilten said.
The project, called CODEX-b, is an effort to hunt for elusive particles to answer new physics beyond the standard model that describes the particles and forces at work in the universe.
"We think most of the matter out there is dark matter. We have no idea what it is," Ilten said. "None of the particles in the standard model can describe dark matter."
So researchers are looking for possible new ones using a suite of custom particle detectors.
"The Large Hadron Collider is like looking for a needle in a haystack," Ilten said. "But with the other detectors, you always get the haystack with the needle. This detector filters almost everything out."
It has been an extraordinary opportunity. The people on the experiment should feel tremendous satisfaction.
Philip Ilten, UC physics professor
The collaboration involved more than 50 researchers across Europe and North America, including six UC doctoral students, UC Associate Professor Conor Henderson, and UC Professor Michael Sokoloff. But by CERN standards, CODEX-b represented a relatively small experiment.
The researchers needed to build a custom particle detector, so they turned to UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science. (See From UC co-op to world traveler.)
UC engineering students Zarria Gray and Silviu Dobrescu worked with physics students and UC microelectronics engineer John Markus and lab tech Andrew Volz in the Physics Department's machine shop to build the detector, ship it in parts to Switzerland and assemble it more than 300 feet underground in the massive particle accelerator.
The students said it was a chance to work on a meaningful research project that had enormous logistical challenges.
"I think it will be a legacy moment in my life," Gray said.
UC's detector is composed of multiple panels arranged like layers in a cake to record particles hurtling around the Large Hadron Collider at nearly the speed of light. Photo/Philip Ilten
UC students collaborate on complex detector
Dobrescu was uniquely qualified to contribute to the project. He grew up making things like carbon fiber resin dispensers using new technology like design software. And he has a more than passing familiarity with the subject matter from his father, a particle physicist.
"At the end of the co-op application, it said you'll be working at CERN. I jumped out of my seat," he said. "I felt like I won the lottery."
UC physics student Michael Peters helps build a particle detector on campus for installation deep underground in CERN's Large Hadron Collider. Photo/Provided
Dobrescu said he couldn't wait to tell his dad he would be working at the world's premier particle accelerator. His father had been to CERN as well.
"He was ecstatic. He's a theorist. He was definitely very proud of me," Dobrescu said.
Dobrescu, Gray and UC physics students helped fashion the electronics and housing for the array of sheets of detectors. The two-foot cube weighs two tons and has some 15,000 resistors and miles of custom cables to connect the device to CERN's computers.
The students got a crash course in detector design and development at CERN, learning from some of the most respected experts in the field.
"You would be eating pizza in the cafeteria and over there's a Nobel Prize winner," Dobrescu said.
Ilten turned to experts in UC's Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management to ensure the high-voltage detector and its components could pass CERN's rigorous safety regulations.
Then the detector was shipped in pieces to Geneva for installation. Getting the sensitive detector safely in place represented its own challenge. The team had built custom carts to shuttle the heavy equipment through the narrow openings.
Experiment establishes proof of concept
But on installation day, the cargo elevator was out of commission. They had to decide whether the sensitive detector could be lowered 300 feet by crane.
"We were nervous about this because they did such a great job making the modules, but they weren't designed to be picked up," Ilten said.
Ilten credited UC's David Northacker who built its sturdy frame.
The UC team recorded a video of the crane gently lowering the detector to the floor of the cavernous space.
"As a physicist you quickly realize why you need engineers," Ilten said.
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science students Zarria Gray and Silviu Dobrescu worked at CERN to assemble a UC-built particle detector. Photo/Provided
Dobrescu said he was struck by the team's dedication and precision. And by the end of his fourth co-op rotation at CERN, he was confident enough to provide his own solutions for many of the engineering challenges they faced.
"The nature of CERN is incredible," he said. "I never met so many smart people in the same place. I was never the smartest person in the room. It was such a good problem to have."
UC physics doctoral student Michael Peters said working on CODEX-b was a valuable experience.
"I am impressed at the level of confidence and trust put in us students to see the project through and to be good stewards of our supervisors' funds," he said.
"We made plenty of mistakes and learned many hard lessons," he said. "It takes highly motivated and hardworking people to make steady, consistent progress."
But Peters said he was excited when the detector began recording its first data at CERN.
"It affirmed my desire to pursue research and development once I finish school," Peters said.
Ilten said the experiment demonstrated proof of concept for a standalone detector that can be used in conjunction with other detectors in the collider for data comparison.
"It has been an extraordinary opportunity," Ilten said. "The people on the experiment should feel tremendous satisfaction."
Featured image at top: UC students built a custom particle detector on campus and assembled it on site at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. Photo/Provided
Frequently asked questions about UC's dark matter research
What is dark matter? right arrow down arrowDark matter is subject of intense scrutiny among physicists who suspect that it explains why rotating galaxies haven't torn apart from centrifugal force. Physicists say dark matter accounts for 27% of the universe. But to date dark matter has been impossible to observe apart from its suspected gravitational effects.
Dark matter could provide insights into the origins of the universe along with answering fundamental questions about physics that exist outside the standard model.
Accelerators use electromagnets to hurtle two beams of particles of elements such as hydrogen or lead in opposite directions through three increasingly larger circular accelerators before they enter the main 17-mile collider tunnel at a speed of more than 670 million miles per hour - or just shy of the speed of light. When the particles collide, they generate new particles such as the Higgs boson that researchers can observe and study with detectors.
UC physicists are learning a lot about dark matter from experiments at CERN and other particle accelerators around the world. They theorize that dark matter accounts for 27% of the universe and does not emit, absorb or reflect light. And researchers are also using advanced space telescopes to try to observe the effects dark matter has on galaxies.
UC Professor Philip Ilten assembled a team of physics and engineering students to build a detector to hunt for particles that might provide answers about dark matter. Photo/Provided
The next groundbreaking discovery
UC is a powerhouse of discovery and impact as a Carnegie 1 research institution. From pioneering medical research to transformative engineering and social innovation, our faculty and students drive progress that reaches across the world.
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