WIMPs are weakly interacting massive particles hypothesised as a possible solution to the dark matter problem. These particles interact through the weak nuclear force and gravity, and possibly through other interactions no stronger than the weak force. Because they do not interact with electromagnetism they cannot be seen directly, and because they do not interact with the strong nuclear force they do not react strongly with atomic nuclei.

WIMPs are predicted to exist by theories involving a principle called supersymmetry (SUSY), which posits a heavy partner for every particle currently known.

If the CDMS experiment at Fermilab (and similar experiments at the LHC) see nothing, the results would have undermined the SUSY theories.

In the last thirty-five years SUSY is one of teh few accepted extensions to the Standard Model to mend its shortcomings.