What exactly is particle physics and how will it advance the worlds technologies?

Interesting question. I actually enjoy the subject, but the math is way, way over my head.

In a nutshell, particle physics is the study of the fundamental building blocks of matter. Electrons, protons, neutrons, the quarks that make them, and all the other mess of particles that interact with them and make up the rest of the standard model of physics.

The study of these particles is both theoretical and experimental. The theory part involves the intense math, and all these particles obey mathematical laws. Many new particles have emerged first in that mathematical soup and then been found by experiment.

The experimental part is the particle accelerator, and a few other exotic devices, such as the neutrino catcher. Think of the accelerator like a microscope. Particles are accelerated to ever higher energies and smashed into other particles.

Analysis of the particle spray that results gives insights into the structure of those particles.

Well, what's a fundamental understanding of matter good for?

Ponder the fusion reactor. When they come online they should be able to solve many of our energy problems. But what's a fusion reaction? Smash some hydrogen atoms together under conditions of extreme heat and pressure and they fuse into helium, releasing a lot of energy.

I know the physicists reading this are rolling their eyes. I've oversimplified this for ease of reading. It's close enough for this article.

The study of fusion, of course, is particle physics.

Quantum mechanics is tightly related to particle physics and gives us interesting technologies, such as the laser. Used in exotic devices such as your CD player.

While much of the experimental and theoretical research has no obvious immediate application it lays a fundamental groundwork that many future technologies will take advantage of.

So as our understanding of this stuff increases we'll see various technolgies appear in the marketplace, as well as potentially new power sources and probably a few applicatioons which haven't been thought of yet.

Then there's just the fact that trying to understand how things work on a fundamental level is just very cool.