E10, K(E10) and the Standard Model

Results from LHC so far have shown no hints of `new physics' beyond the well established Standard Model of Particle Physics -- in obvious conflict with numerous proposed extensions postulating a large number of new particles. Exploiting a remarkable coincidence with N=8 supergravity first observed by M. Gell-Mann, I will describe a very different approach whereby novel infinite-dimensional duality symmetries (closely related to the `maximally extended' hyperbolic Kac-Moody algebra E10) could account for the observed spectrum of quarks and leptons including right-chiral neutrinos, together with its replication in three and only three generations.

First hints of these symmetries had previously emerged from maximal supergravity and from studies of the `near singularity limit' of Einstein's equations, that is, solutions describing the gravitational evolution of the Universe in the immediate vicinity of the Big Bang.

As a by-product, the present approach predicts fractionally charged and possibly strongly interacting very massive and stable gravitinos as new Dark Matter candidates.