Public Engagement | Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

Making Nuclear Science Accessible

FRIB aims to share the excitement of nuclear science with everyone through innovative and multi-disciplinary collaborations that engage learners of all ages and backgrounds.

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24 March 2026
11:00 EDT

Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory: From Chiral EFT to Nuclear Structure and Reactions Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory (NLEFT) is a framework for performing ab-initio calculations of nuclear structure and reactions. In this approach, nuclear forces derived from chiral effective field theory (EFT) are formulated on a periodic cubic lattice. Observables are computed using stochastic, non-perturbative methods such as auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo simulations. This powerful framework provides a quantum many-body approach with remarkable predictive power. In this talk, I will provide an overview of NLEFT, emphasizing its crucial role in bridging the gap between quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and low-energy nuclear phenomena. Additionally, I will discuss recent developments, including a novel method called wavefunction matching, and present state-of-the-art ab-initio calculations of nuclear structure, scattering, and reaction processes.

25 March 2026
3:30 EDT

The Electron-Ion Collider Design: Challenges and Breakthroughs The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), which is being designed by BNL, JLab and other partners, will be a particle accelerator that collides electrons with protons and nuclei to produce snapshots of those particles’ internal structure. It will collide polarized high-energy electron beams with hadron beams in the center-of-mass energy range of 20-140 GeV. The electron beam, employed as a probe, will reveal the arrangement of the quarks and gluons that make up the protons and neutrons of nuclei. The EIC will allow us to study the ”strong nuclear force”, the role of gluons in the matter within and all around us, and the nature of particle spin. This talk will describe the Electron-Ion Collider design challenges and breakthroughs, and our plans to construct it at Brookhaven National Lab.

27 March 2026
2:00 EDT

Challenges in observational studies of heavy elements Heavy elements make up the largest part of the periodic table and they still pose a large number of open questions associated with their formation. Most of the heavy elements form via neutron captures that happen on a slow (s-process), intermediate (i-process) or a rapid (r-process) scale (when comparing to the following beta decays). In this talk I will present a homogeneous follow-up observational study targeting light as well as heavy elements in about 50 metal-poor stars. Our study provides new insights into the formation of the third r-process peak (Ir, Os, Pt) as well as challenges we face when deriving abundances of even heavier elements (Th), such as shortcomings in our models as well as atomic physics. A few peculiar stars stand out in the study by either having a very high or very low level of heavy elements in their atmospheres. I will discuss the possible origin (spatial as well as nuclear formation) of these peculiar stars.

FRIB tours

Discover what happens at a rare isotope facility by joining an FRIB tour. Interested members of the public and students from public, homeschool, private, and parochial schools can discover the inner workings of FRIB with a guided tour.

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Learning resources & programs

FRIB offers learning resources and hosts programs for K–12 teachers and students from public, homeschool, private, and parochial schools, designed to inspire curiosity and support hands-on learning.

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FRIB seeks to inspire a love for nuclear science by fostering innovative, cross-disciplinary collaborations that connect with learners of all ages and backgrounds.

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Advanced Studies Gateway

The Advanced Studies Gateway is an initiative at FRIB that brings together researchers, innovators, creative thinkers, artists, and performers from all fields and strengthens ties between Michigan State University and the community. Activities include research workshops as well as public talks, concerts, and special events that are free and open to the public.

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MSUFCU Arts Power Up Arts Residency at FRIB

This residency fosters collaboration, exploration, experimentation and innovation on MSU’s campus, culminating in the creation of artworks at the intersection of art, science, and technology.

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Questions?

For more information about public engagement at FRIB, or to inquire about arranging a tour, contact the FRIB Outreach Coordinator.