Eli5: What advancements have been made as a direct result of the use of particle accelerators?

Question

I recently saw a Cleo Abrams video about particle accelerators and the lead scientist said that they use particle accelerators to create the building blocks for future innovations.

I’m sure advancements have been made only because particle accelerators exist but I don’t know any. Can someone highlight a direct influence particle accelerators have on our daily lives?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Like the super collider outside Waxahachie, Texas, that cost $2 billion dollars and has been abandoned for two decades? I imagine the daily lives of the contractors that pocketed the $2 billion were enhanced greatly. As were the Texas taxpayers who fronted $400 million…down the drain.