  \emph{Effective} gauge fields arise in the description of the dynamics of
defects in lattices of graphene in condensed matter. The interactions between
neighboring nodes of a lattice/spin-network are described by the Hubbard model
whose effective field theory at long distances is given by the Dirac equation
for an \emph{emergent} gauge field. The spin-networks in question can be used
to describe the geometry experienced by a non-inertial observer in flat
spacetime moving at a constant acceleration in a given direction. We expect
such spin-networks to describe the structure of quantum horizons of black holes
in loop quantum gravity. We argue that the abelian and non-abelian gauge fields
of the Standard Model can be identified with the emergent degrees of freedom
required to describe the dynamics of defects in symmetry reduced spin-networks.

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology;High Energy Physics - Phenomenology;High Energy Physics - Theory