Enabling Digital Twins for Science: A Perspective from CERN openlab
, Head Of OpenLab, CERN Open Lab
Originating in aerospace engineering and manufacturing, digital twins have emerged as a transformative technology, creating dynamic replicas of physical assets continually updated to mirror real-world changes. This talk explores CERN openlab's initiatives, notably its participation in the interTwin project — an EC-funded endeavor crafting a versatile digital twin engine prototype. The scope spans physics, encompassing particle physics, radio astronomy, and gravitational waves, alongside environmental modeling for early warnings using satellite imagery.
At CERN openlab, we explore how CAD-based digital twins can be designed to enhance the operation of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and experiments. This extends beyond mere maintenance, incorporating simulations for detector assembly scenarios. Digital twins can be used to simulate underground interventions in a virtual space to realize cost savings, efficiency gains, and reduced radiation exposure.