PSI Paul Scherrer Institut

We were pleased to welcome Thom Mason, Director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory and President of Triad National Security, LLC, to PSI for an insightful discussion on how the lab is responding to evolving national priorities, the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, and scientific opportunities ranging from artificial intelligence to new experimental approaches. We sincerely thank Thom Mason for his visit and for sharing how Los Alamos National Laboratory has harnessed science and technology to address pressing national security issues, continuously adapting for over 80 years, from its wartime origins to the Cold War and beyond.

At CERN, an international research team led by PSI Paul Scherrer Institut has gained crucial insights into the formation of particulate matter. The new study shows: Pollutants from transportation 🚗, industry 🏭, and households 🏠 often form harmful organic aerosols only after the precursor gases undergo several oxidation steps – an important change in our understanding of air pollution. Through measurements in the unique ☁️CLOUD chamber ☁️ at CERN, the team found out that around 70 percent of these particles form only hours or even days after emission. That means: Air pollution is not only a local, but also a regional problem. The new findings are helping to improve models of airborne particulate dispersal – and enable more targeted measures against air pollution. To sustainably improve air quality, greater attention should be given to the precursor gases. 🔗 More on this study: https://brnw.ch/21wRug1 #ResearchAtPSI #Energy #Climate #Atmosphere #Environment

We’re getting excited about IMPACT! 🚀✨ At yesterday’s IMPACT information event, project members and supporters at PSI Paul Scherrer Institut were informed about some of the amazing engineering that will soon begin (or in some cases has already begun!) at the proton accelerator facility HIPA as part of the IMPACT upgrade, and the cutting-edge science that this will enable. 👉 You can read more about the IMPACT project here: https://lnkd.in/gt3ZXVVZ #ResearchAtPSI #IMPACT #ResearchMatters

⚛️ As part of a 5-day study trip into modern particle physics and Albert Einstein’s legacy, organized by Bild der Wissenschaft (bdw in short), a well-known German science magazine, a group of science enthusiasts explored the fascinating world of particle physics at PSI last week. Guided by physicist and Einstein expert Nancy Hecker-Denschlag, the group visited the Swiss Light Source #SLS and the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source #SINQ, gaining insights into the groundbreaking research conducted here, building on the work of Albert Einstein, one of the founders of quantum mechanics. 🏛️The trip began in Freiburg im Breisgau and continued to Bern and Lausanne, where Andreas Pautz from the PSI Center for Nuclear Engineering and Sciences welcomed the group at EPFL, before concluding at CERN. 🌍Thank you for visiting us; we hope you had an unforgettable experience! If you too would like to visit the fascinating world of science at PSI, get in touch with our Visitor Center: https://lnkd.in/d5RsujZa #SciComm #Science #Communications #Outreach #VisitPSI

🎉 A Milestone of Superlatives: Araris Biotech AG Reaches Unicorn Status! 🦄 The PSI Paul Scherrer Institute's spin-off Araris Biotech AG has been acquired by Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., for $1.14 billion – a great achievement, making it the first PSI spin-off to reach the exclusive 🦄"UNICORN" level! The deal includes an initial payment of $400 million, with potential milestone payments of an additional $740 million. Founded in 2019, Araris develops innovative antibody-drug conjugates #ADCs for targeted #cancer #therapy, with the potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness and tolerability of treatments. Araris Biotech AG has grown successfully, securing strategic partnerships and investors. PSI is so proud of Araris' journey and wishes the company continued success in the future! Full Press Release: https://lnkd.in/d9AjyrHG #Unicorn #researchAtPSI #TechnologyTransfer #FromResearchToMarket #PSISpinoff

The book 📖 Physics Against Cancer, published in English and recently also in German, tells the story of scientists and physicians at the PSI Paul Scherrer Institute developing a revolutionary technology for the treatment of tumours: proton therapy. It is thanks to the pioneering spirit and perseverance of those researchers at PSI that this trailblazing radiation method is available to us today. Every year, it saves the lives of numerous children and adults 🧒👩with hard-to-treat cancers. But, according to Damien Weber, head and chairman of the Center for Proton Therapy at PSI, even more cancer patients 🎗️could actually benefit from the treatment. #ResearchAtPSI #HealthInnovation #MedicalScience #ProtonTherapy

Lithium-ion batteries 🔋 power everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. But making them store more energy efficiently is a challenge—especially when using thicker electrodes to boost capacity. Using operando neutron imaging and diffraction, researchers at PSI could follow how lithium moves inside ultra-thick graphite electrodes in real time. They found: 🔹 Lithium doesn’t move uniformly – some areas take longer to charge and discharge. 🔹 Layer buildup near the separator – this can lead to unwanted lithium accumulation and reduced efficiency. 🔹 Multiple lithium storage phases – different forms of lithium exist at the same time, affecting performance. These findings help us better understand battery behaviour, leading to safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient energy storage solutions—crucial for the future of electric vehicles, grid storage, and portable electronics. Read the full study here: https://brnw.ch/21wRiaa #ResearchAtPSI #LithiumIonBatteries #BatteryResearch #NeutronImaging

Are you a physician working at the Kantonsspital Aarau AG, Kantonsspital Baden AG or Hirslanden Clinic Aarau? Are you interested in dedicated research time to carry out a scientific project with ETH Zürich, PSI Paul Scherrer Institut or Empa? The second 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐌𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐬 is now open! If you want to learn know more about the call, join our networking event: 📅 When: 24 April 2025 I 15:30 – 18:00 📍 Where: Cantonal Hospital Aarau 🔗 Register for the Event here: https://lnkd.in/dSxQ5UmC #MedicalResearch #Innovation #MedicalEducation CC: Christian Rüegg, Christian Wolfrum

We congratulate Andreas Pautz, head of the PSI Center for Nuclear Engineering and Sciences, on his appointment as a Full Member of SATW in recognition "of his leading international role in nuclear safety research, including the development of multiphysics simulation software and experimental neutronics, and his commitment to training the next generation of nuclear engineers".

Quantum x Space: Phi-Lab's first call for proposals is now open! The big question: What if every satellite could carry a quantum sensor the size of a shoebox? Quantum sensors can detect minute changes in gravity, magnetic fields, and time, and other quantities with atomic precision, potentially revolutionizing how we measure our world. Yet many of these extraordinary capabilities still remain confined to controlled laboratory environments, preventing quantum sensing from addressing urgent commercial and societal needs, such as water resource management, infrastructure monitoring, and autonomous navigation. Apply to this call and receive funding between 200,000 to 990,000 CHF for your project over a 24-month period and guidance from experts. 🌐 Details on the website of the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI): https://brnw.ch/21wRamz 🔗Application & requirement on OSIP by ESA: https://brnw.ch/21wRamA 👨 Contact Dr. Markus Schölmerich , Phi-Lab Program manager.