Large Hadron Collider (atom smasher)(endgame)(portals,etc)

[JohnTS]

As an endgame kind of technology I think this would be really cool.

. Needs an immense amount of stored power to initiate the machine
. Must be built in circular shape with connecting pipes
. Larger the "circle" more powerful the effect once the atoms collide
. Machine must be constantly maintained and upgraded to receive its benefits

Benefits to using the LHC atom smasher

. The longer the machine is running the more potential it has to unlock "special" technologies on the tech tree
. These "special techs" are unlocked randomly
. Portal tech can be unlocked. Portal tech unlocks "Portal Machine" which is a 2 way machine you build where you can simply walk through and it transports you to the other side
. Particle tech, pre-requisite research for several new particle based technologies you will be able to unlock
. Particle weaponry tech, laser based weaponry for yourself, for your vehicles, etc. This particular tech can be a pre-requisite for laser turrets so they don't become available so early in-game as is.
. Underground scanning tech, find rare ores underground which are only possible using the new particle scanning technology discovered by the LHC

Downside to using the LHC atom smasher

. Prolonged use and improper maintenance of the LHC atom smasher can begin have negative effects on the planet
. Can begin to cause earthquakes
. Weather changes
. Animal behavioral changes

That's all I can think of right now, help me out with ideas guys.

[therapist]

It's called a Particle Accelerator.

I imagine it would only be able to unlock advancements in the field of physics.

Anti-Gravity would be a cool advancement to logically follow from a particle accelerator.

Cold Fusion might be another tech that could come out of this.

This would make a cool mod or alternative option to the Rocket Defense -> Colonization endgame option.

[jorgenRe]

My thing to add to this would be that you could make antimatter with the particle accellerator. This have already been done, and so i think this could be a possible end game fuel source.
http://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=1172

[JohnTS]

I like the ideas thus far guys, lets keep adding to it.

In real life the LHC has also discovered "dark matter" and it could be used in some form in Factorio as an energy source or even as a sort of weapon. Would be interesting.

[ssilk]

Nice ideas, I fear in Factorio it looks more like an octagon.

[inthev01d]

This makes sense story-wise, doing dangerous scientific experiments at a remote, biter-infested, otherwise uninteresting planet. That'd be an interesting freeplay goal - build up the accelerator and run your experiments, while defending against the native fauna. Maybe we neet to fire the particle beam at something in space a couple times for our experiment, each time pissing off the biters in the process. I can smell a new mod