“Becoming CERN’s engineering partner”
How mechanical engineering expertise at Bath is contributing to the frontier of discovery in Geneva
Dr Alexander Lunt gives a huge smile as he recounts the story of how the University of Bath was welcomed as a full member of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. It was 13 February 2026, and he and Professor Carl Sangan were making an impassioned presentation to scientists in Geneva, including the Director General of CERN, Professor Mark Thomson, on why the University should be admitted as a full member.
“You have to understand,’ Alexander says, “that CMS is at its core a particle physics experiment and most CMS member institutions are led by particle physicists, not engineers. He pauses for dramatic effect. “But we’re an incredibly strong engineering institution.”
Dr Alexander Lunt in CERN
Dr Alexander Lunt in CERN
Alexander, alongside Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Phil Taylor during a visit to CERN © CERN
Alexander, alongside Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Phil Taylor during a visit to CERN © CERN
In February 2026, Bath joined a community of over 4,000 scientists and engineers working at the frontier of particle physics. For Alexander, this was the culmination of over seven years’ work. Prior to joining the University of Bath, he worked at CERN as a mechanical engineer in a role that sat at the heart of many of the institute’s critical systems.
“I could clearly see a disconnect,” he says when reflecting on his return to the UK. “Mechanical engineering departments were not fully plugged into one of the world’s most demanding engineering environments.”
“Its challenges include extreme precision at a large scale, harsh environments and the need for high-reliability systems where failure is not an option.”
After joining the University in 2019, Alexander quickly spotted an opportunity, identifying how Bath could play a role in supporting CMS. “I saw the potential from day one,” he says. “As an institution, we’re incredibly strong at mechanical engineering and computer science. We know our expertise could enable their work.”
Over seven years, Alexander and colleagues worked to build relationships and connections. Their efforts led to annual student placements within the institution, co-funded PhD projects, and an active role in solving operational and engineering challenges that strengthened the long-term performance of the CMS experiment.
Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Phil Taylor, meeting the Director-General of CERN, Professor Mark Thompson and signing the guest book.
Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Phil Taylor, meeting the Director-General of CERN, Professor Mark Thompson and signing the guest book.
However, while the University achieved affiliate status in 2019, full membership opened the doors for Bath to support activities well beyond a single experiment. For Alexander, this was an incredibly exciting moment and the reward for his work. “We’re moving from building credibility to shaping the future of one of the world’s most important scientific experiments,” he says. “Bath research is contributing meaningfully to one of the world’s largest and most exciting engineering challenges.”
“We asked how our engineering expertise could enable their science.”
Dr Alexander Lunt
Relishing the challenges to come
2026 is a critical year for CERN and CMS. In June, the Large Hadron Collider was switched off for Long Shutdown 3, a four-year programme of maintenance and upgrades that will transform the accelerator and its experiments. During the shutdown, teams will install new equipment, overhaul detectors such as CMS, and develop technologies capable of greater particle collision rates. Hundreds of people are working underground every day to remove, upgrade and install equipment, making this one of the most complex phases in the experiment’s history. The accelerator complex will begin restarting from 2028, with the High-Luminosity LHC expected to enter operation in 2030 and usher in a new chapter of particle physics research.
Bath is playing a critical role in this story.
Over the course of the shutdown, Bath is supporting the development of next-generation CO2 cooling technology (to manage the extreme thermal conditions generated when tracking high-energy particle collisions) and working on precision mechanical systems and materials modelling that are essential to the tracker upgrade.
Alexander relishes the engineering challenges to come. “The real focus for the next three years is very much an engineering challenge,” he says. “Upgrading and replacing systems is going to be the biggest upheaval since the Large Hadron Collider was switched on in the early 2000s.”
This summer, he heads to CERN for five weeks to take on the role of CLS3 Technical Shifter, helping support the safe and effective operation of the CMS experiment during Long Shutdown 3. The role offers a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the day-to-day operation of CMS, work alongside experts from across the collaboration, and develop the relationships needed to support the continued growth of Bath’s involvement at CERN.
“It is an exciting moment for the partnership,” said Alexander, “particularly following our recent presentation to the CMS UK community in London and the visit of senior CMS leadership to Bath in July.”
“Overall, it feels like we are moving from establishing ourselves within CMS to becoming a trusted engineering partner, and the opportunities over the next few years are incredibly exciting.”
The Bath Wire is one such opportunity.
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Does what it says on the twine
University of Bath PhD student Gerard Aliana Cervera holds up a piece of wire with a pair of tweezers. It is black, much thinner than a human hair, and could help unlock the next frontier in particle discovery.
Gerard is part of CERN's Beam Instrumentation group, which develops the tools used to measure and monitor the particle beams that travel around the Large Hadron Collider. His work focuses on a deceptively simple but critical device known as a wire scanner.
"It’s a wire that passes through the beam," Gerard explains. "And it allows us to measure parameters such as the size and distribution of the particles, so we can control and optimise the beam."
As CERN pushes towards ever higher beam energies and intensities, the existing technology faces new challenges. The materials currently used in wire scanners can degrade under the extreme conditions created by the accelerator. When exposed to the intense environment, microscopic metals inside wires can expand and fail, damaging the scanners and limiting their lifespan. Working with Alexander and Professor Davide Mattia from Chemical Engineering, Gerard has developed a treatment to remove the metallic catalytic particles. “This is an engineering challenge you cannot find anywhere else,” he says.
Initial beam tests at CERN have shown that Gerard’s research reduces swelling by up to 40%, and, later this year, the Bath Wires will be evaluated in beam tests at Diamond Light Source, the UK's national synchrotron facility. The experiments will provide a crucial opportunity to assess the technology under operating conditions.
While Gerard graduates in September 2026, his work is now being carried forward by PhD researcher Elisabeth-Sena Welker, who joined the University of Bath and CERN after completing a master's project at CERN's Beam Instrumentation group. "It's amazing to be part of a facility where everyone contributes to understanding more about how our universe works," she says. "You have the possibility to learn from world-leading engineers and physicists, and everyone is enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge."
Gerard Aliana Cervera pictured during the HiRadMat beamtime which tested the Bath Wires.
Gerard Aliana Cervera pictured during the HiRadMat beamtime which tested the Bath Wires.
Gerard Aliana Cervera
Gerard Aliana Cervera
Current postdoctoral projects at CMS
Joe Dawe (Postdoctoral Researcher)
Drawing on expertise in experimental fluid dynamics, Joe is designing advanced test facilities to understand how fluids behave inside next-generation cooling systems for the CMS detector. His work will help develop lighter, more efficient cooling networks capable of managing the extreme heat loads expected from the advanced detectors being installed during the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider upgrade.
Nouf Zaghloul (Postdoctoral Researcher)
Nouf is investigating how advanced materials and additive manufacturing techniques can be used to create novel cooling-system components for CERN. Her research focuses on characterising materials and understanding how they can be engineered to improve the performance, durability and manufacturability of future detector cooling systems.
‘We need diversity for the future of fundamental scientific research.”
What does this work look like from inside the organisation? Anna Cook is responsible for health, safety and environment communications at CERN and has worked there for 23 years. She is also a Bath alumna, having studied Biochemistry and Biology at the University from 1992 to 1995.
“I feel very proud,” she says, reflecting on the University’s growing role within the organisation. “What Alexander, Carl and the wider team have done is to put Bath on the map at CERN. You’ve got so much to talk about.”
Prior to working in the HSE Department, Anna was responsible for sourcing, outreach and communications in the HR Talent Acquisition team which is when she and Alexander collaborated on many job fairs and information sessions to get Bath students acquainted with CERN and encourage them to apply for the student, graduate and professional opportunities on offer across STEM disciplines. “So many UK and international students come from Bath every year,” she says. “We need that diversity for the future of fundamental scientific research.”
“I love being able to work with all of these people from all over the world for a common purpose. We're really doing it for the benefit of humanity. This is as true for CERN as it is for the University of Bath.”
A partnership benefiting undergraduate and postgraduate students
Emma Cole and Gabriel Boon are two of those Bath students currently on placement at CERN. Emma, an Integrated Mechanical and Electrical Engineering student, is in her third year, while Gabriel, also in his third year, is studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
As part of her placement, Emma works in the Experimental Area Management Team, supporting the technical coordination of CMS. “Going on placement was a key reason I wanted to come to Bath,” she says. “I had my heart set on CERN. It’s working towards something that is going to advance our understanding of the world. This is an experience it would be difficult to find elsewhere.”
Gabriel, who is based in the CERN Beams Department, echoes the sentiment. During his placement, he’s taken part in a range of technical and professional development courses, exploring areas from radio-frequency engineering to the effects of radiation on electronics. “CERN has really helped me refine my career plans and also provided me with skills too,” he explains.
“The exposure I'm getting is far beyond what I anticipated. CERN has really helped me narrow down what I want to do in the future and provided me with the skills to do it.”
As she approaches her penultimate year, Emma reflects on the opportunities her placement has provided. One highlight was accompanying Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, on a tour of CMS. “It was a proud moment to show the University what I’m doing over here,” she says.
“The work would actually be used. It would have impact.”
Shaurya Singh is another Bath student benefiting from the University’s connection with CERN. As a fourth-year finalist master’s student, he’s currently working at CERN to create a rig to support a portable accelerator.
“Bath provides the most incredible atmosphere, facilities and people who push you in the right direction,” he says. “If you want to have an impact, you have to act immediately, and relentlessly pursue the change you want to see.”
Having secured a summer internship within CERN’s Beam Instrumentation group, he was given responsibility for designing and prototyping a device capable of installing delicate wire scanners used to measure particle beams within the Large Hadron Collider. “That was one of the most exciting parts,” he reflects. “The work would be used. It would have impact.”
Most recently, Shaurya returned to CERN as a mechanical engineer within the Experimental Physics Detector Technologies (EP-DT) department, where he is designing a modular test rig for the CMS tracker. Having now worked across three different CERN departments, he has gained a unique perspective on the breadth of opportunities available at the world-leading research organisation. From beam instrumentation and accelerator technologies to particle detector development, each experience has broadened his skills and shown him the many ways engineers can contribute to cutting-edge science.
“These projects have shown me what’s possible when you combine engineering with purpose, and that’s what I want to keep doing throughout my career.”
Emma Cole
Emma Cole
Gabriel Boon (left)
Gabriel Boon (left)
Gabriel (back, 2nd left) during his placement
Gabriel (back, 2nd left) during his placement
Gabriel and Emma alongside a Bath delegation visit to CERN. © 2026 CERN
Gabriel and Emma alongside a Bath delegation visit to CERN. © 2026 CERN
Looking to the future
Professor Carl Sangan has worked alongside Alexander to support this journey. As Professor of Sustainable Propulsion and Power and Director of Research for the Department of Mechanical Engineering, his expertise lies in modelling flow and heat transfer in aerospace systems.
That expertise has proved invaluable in supporting the CMS experiment at CERN.
“The next generation of the tracker at the core of CMS will exploit novel sensors that drastically improve our ability to track particles and gain fundamental insight into the showers produced during collisions. However, these systems require more power and produce a significantly higher heat output. Inefficient cooling can damage these detectors and leave the system blind to key information.”
For Carl, the challenge is a natural extension of the work his team already does in aerospace engineering.
“Cooling systems are our expertise. If you can cool an aero engine running above the melting point of the metals involved, why can’t you cool CMS?”
Carl has been involved in Bath’s relationship with CERN from the outset, working alongside Dr Alexander Lunt to establish the University as a trusted partner. What began with student exchanges and co-funded PhD studentships has evolved into a major collaboration focused on improving CERN’s cooling network.
When a liquid changes state into a gas, known as phase change, it absorbs a significant amount of heat. Bath researchers are developing advanced models to predict where and when that phase change occurs, enabling them to design tools that can help CERN optimise and improve its cooling infrastructure.
“Research at Bath has produced state-of-the-art techniques for CERN that were originally developed for aero engines,” says Carl. “The models we’ve developed are now being validated through experiments in Geneva.”
Professor Carl Sangan
Professor Carl Sangan
Carl and the University of Bath delegation at CERN. © 2026 CERN
Carl and the University of Bath delegation at CERN. © 2026 CERN
'No one else is doing this work’
For Carl, the opportunities ahead are immense.
“The future is incredibly exciting,” he says. “The work we’re doing on phase-change cooling is world-leading because no one else has developed these processes. We’ve fundamentally changed our understanding of heat transfer during phase change, and that could have a major impact not only in particle physics but also in areas such as computing and aerospace engineering.”
But Carl and Alexander have even bigger ambitions. Plans are now in place to create a replica of the CMS cooling loop in Bath, supported by a substantial university investment. Based at the University’s Innovation Hub at Bristol & Bath Science Park, the new CERN laboratory will allow the team to expand and accelerate their pioneering research.
“We’ve had incredible support from the University and from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phil Taylor,” says Alexander. Then, with a smile, he adds: “This is going to be huge.”
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