CERN Energy Density

Energy Density is a set of three interactive stations that let users recreate their own particle collisions!

Through three levels (plus one bonus level), users can collide particles to fill the Standard Model with the 16 known and theoretical particles that make up our universe. Spin a physical dial to increase energy levels and create your collision. Real time generative graphics recreate some of the visual outputs that are seen in the real Large Hadron Collider.

If you can spin the dial fast enough, you reveal facts about each particle in the Standard Model – all the way up to the theoretical Higgs Boson particle. The game can be played in both English and French.

The Energy Density interactive consists of three stations, each fed by a computer with two displays. A custom built aluminium dial is connected to the computer through an RS232 interface. A custom serial controller – created in Adobe Director – passes the dial position into the main software. The software itself is built with Adobe Flash CS4. Visitors use a touch screen combined with the dial to interact with the software.

Content is loaded in via an XML file, making it easy to update the text. The multi language software is also designed to be updated with extra languages as required.

Design & production: Shelton Fleming Software programming: HMC Interactive