Neutrinos flow through the universe at lightning speed. During each second while you’re reading this article trillions of these ultra-high energy, astrophysical elementary particles are shooting through your body as well. Because neutrinos interact practically with nothing and their mass is close to zero there’s (nearly) nothing and no one that can stop them. They even move through our planet Earth largely without incurring any loss. Neutrinos are created in various ways, for instance during nuclear reactions in the Sun. Some are assumed to have been traveling ever since the Big Bang. Neutrinos are the second-most prevalent elementary particles in the universe after photons. The current state of science distinguishes between three different types: electron neutrinos, muon neutrinos and tau neutrinos.

Scientists are eager to track down the ghost particles because they help explain the existence of the cosmos and of existence per se. Researchers at the universities of Rochester and North Carolina in the United States pursued a different approach: In 2012, they were the first ever to manage sending a message through solid matter by means of neutrinos. A proton accelerator generated a neutrino beam that was captured by a neutrino detector 100 meters (328 feet) below the ground

Icy wastes as a research location: hostile to life and bearings

Let’s now look at Schaeffler’s contribution to neutrino research. To do so, we need to visit the Antarctic or, more precisely, Moore’s Bay and the multinational ARIANNA project (Antarctic Ross Ice-Shelf Antenna Neutrino Array), where researchers found a rare constellation: sonar investigations showed that the plane ice shield with a thickness of nearly 600 meters (1,968 feet) sits on the water surface underneath it, which, as a result, appears like a huge mirror. The photon radiation left in the ice by the neutrinos is reflected to detectors on the surface of the ice, providing “ghost traces” that can be analyzed.

In the dark Antarctic winter that’s beginning now, wind turbines supply the electric power to the neutrino detectors of the project. Temperatures as low as –50 °C (–58 °F) make maximum demands on the wind turbine bearings. However, due to low wind speeds, the bearings not only have to withstand extreme temperatures but also run with very low friction. Based on its comprehensive know-how and long-standing experience in special-purpose bearings, Schaeffler uses specialty grooved ball bearings with ceramic balls. They don’t require oil or grease and have a special type of seal. The design has actually proven to be very robust. The wind turbines withstand the harsh ambient conditions with aplomb and reliably supply the detectors with electricity.

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“We’re highly pleased with Schaeffler’s support and equipment. Without these specialty low-friction bearings from Schaeffler this project would not have been possible and this collaboration has significantly contributed to the success of this research,” says Prof. Hans Bernhoff. The scientist at Uppsala University (Sweden) is responsible for the energy supply from the wind turbines.

“The collaboration with Schaeffler has significantly contributed to the success of this research”

Prof. Hans Bernhoff, Uppsala University (Sweden)

In the summer of 2022, the research will continue at an even colder place in the Antarctic, where temperatures drop to as low as –65 °C (¬–85 °F). The wind blows even more irregularly there and sometimes at even lower speeds than before. That’s why the turbines will become larger, requiring larger bearings delivering equally reliable performance with even lower friction. Schaeffler will supply a suitable bearing solution for these requirements as well. “We’re proud of being part of this important research that clearly shows that our projects are designed to satisfy even the most exacting demands,” says Erik Askensjö, managing director of Schaeffler Sweden.