Ancient Earth Rocks: The New Frontier in Dark Matter Detection

Patrick Huber and his team at Virginia Tech are exploring a novel approach to detect dark matter by examining billion-year-old Earth rocks for tiny disruptions caused by dark matter particles. This interdisciplinary project combines physics, geology, and advanced imaging techniques, with significant funding from the NSF and NNSA. The research could not only confirm dark matter's existence but also lead to unexpected applications, such as portable nuclear monitoring devices.