
what if we could look ourselves up in a parallel universe? what if we could predict our future using DNA? what if we could build a particle accelerator at home? UK-based designer Patrick Stevenson-Keating creates projects which not only solve problems, but ask questions. for Milan Design Week, we teamed up with him to create the world’s first handcrafted glass particle accelerator and set it up inside Milan’s poshest department store…
building on Stevenson-Keating’s previous projects, the project asks how design can be used as a tool to illustrate and communicate scientific ideas without watering them down. visitors to Hacked at La Rinascente were invited to handle the components, help assemble the accelerator and get a close-up look at physics in action…




how it works
the piece consists of a series of organically-shaped hand-blown glass bulbs – each attached to a pump via a tube to create a vacuum. when the button is pushed, a voltage of 45,000V is applied across two electrodes. the huge potential difference forces the electrons to gather at the tip of the brass cathode spike. when the opposite voltage is applied to the coiled anode, it rips the electrons from the spike, accelerating them towards the end of the glass bulb. as the electrons reach the coil, they begin to collide, losing energy and emitting some of this as visible light. some, however, accelerate past the anode coil, and collide with the phosphorus lining the base of the glass vessel. this reaction causes photons of light to be released, resulting in visible specks of light
making of
instead of using existing components, the piece was created from scratch starting with hand-blown glass…




about
the Handcrafted Particle Accelerator was a site-specific commission by super/collider for Hacked – an experimental programme live activities, events, installations, performances and workshops curated by Beatrice Galilee. a programme of fleeting, yet arresting design events, the series took place during Milan Design Week at La Rinascente, offering visitors interactive, visceral, playful futuristic, scientific, choreographic and informative, but always designed experiences
concept, design & construction: Patrick Stevenson-Keating
glass blowing: Orbic Glass
event photography and film: Alice Masters
making of photography and film: John Hooper

















































