Antimatter

[Michiko]

matter that consists of particles that have the opposite electrical characteristics of the particles in regular matter

[Couch Potatoe]

Molecules formed by atoms consisting of antiprotons, antineutrons, and positrons. Stable antimatter does not appear to exist in our universe.

[PussyCat]

[Antimatter] is literally matter which is the inverse or opposite of matter; particles which have charges opposite of regular matter.

Antimatter was first predicted by [P.A.M]. [Dirac] in his theory of [quantum mechanics] in 1928. Antiparticles were found soon after by Carl Anderson. Since then, research centers such as [CERN] and Fermilab produce [antimatter] particles on a daily basis. CERN uses a [Proton] Synchrotron machine to accelerate protons and then they inject them into the [Antiproton] Decelerator - a gigantic circular machine with a diameter of 18 km. Here the protons are smashed into a copper or iridium block of metal. The abrupt stop from such an incredible speed (about the speed of light) results in an enormous amount of energy released into a small volume, resulting in extreme temperatures greater than 10,000,000,000,000 [Celsius]. This enormous amount of heat and energy results in the spontaneous creation of matter-antimatter particles.

When antimatter comes in contact with regular matter - earth, air, whatever - it annihilates immediately in a 100% efficient reaction. A popular misconception is that this antimatter-matter reaction will someday allow antimatter for use as a source of fuel, or [power source]. Unfortunately, this is an impossible reality. Since antimatter is not found anywhere on Earth naturally (obviously), it must be created. With the equation [E=mc2], it is IMPOSSIBLE to have a net gain of matter: the energy required running the accelerators would ALWAYS be more than the energy antimatter produced.

Its true that a quarter gram of antimatter has as much power as the [nuclear bomb] dropped on Hiroshima. This raises concern as to whether it could eventually be yielded as a terrorist device. Fortunately, it is IMPOSSIBLE to collect and store antimatter at this great of a density, and even if it were possible, with the current technology it would take billions and billions of years to yield that much. In fact, if CERN were to have kept all of the antimatter it ever produced; it would be enough to power a light bulb for about three seconds. Anyways, even with these things aside, its completely [impractical] considering how much time, money, and energy is required to create antimatter.

This information is from the CERN official web site.
For more information visit:

www.[cern].ch
www.fnal.gov

[Dave Paprocki]

Most beneficial yet dangerous element known to man. One particle of antimatter can fuel New Yorks power for a day. Yet it has a drawback however; It is completely destructive upon contact with another element (yes, EVEN AIR). Upon contact, one particle is enough to cause an even more massive explosion, perhaps (researching) double the destruction level of an Atomic bomb.
It is currently being researched at [CERN] (a European Organization for [Particle Physics] Research located just west of [Geneva, Switzerland]) and Fermilab. Both of these organizations are researching on making antimatter on large quantities and fuel.