Applied materials analysis with neutron and synchrotron radiation: For over 2.5 years, the technology transfer centre ANAXAM has been operating on behalf of industry, and it has completed more than 70 successful customer projects with international industry and research partners to date – time for a look back.
ANAXAM (“Analytics with Neutrons And X-rays for Advanced Manufacturing”) is a technology transfer centre that focuses on (as the written-out name implies) applied materials analysis with neutron and synchrotron radiation. As a link between research and industry, ANAXAM considers its primary role to be a service partner for industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In addition to PSI, the sponsors of ANAXAM also include the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), the Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) and the Canton of Aargau.
A valuable point of contact
ANAXAM helps the industry to solve materials and manufacturing problems in advanced manufacturing, where conventional analytical methods are reaching their limits. To this end, ANAXAM offers materials analysis that far exceeds laboratory-scale requirements, using imaging, diffraction, small-angle scattering and spectroscopy at the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source SINQ and the Swiss Light Source SLS. In order to use these analytical methods developed for fundamental research effectively and in the best possible manner for its customers, ANAXAM supplements existing beamlines as needed with a tailor-made analytical infrastructure that allows measurements to be carried out in situ, in operando and with high throughput.
ANAXAM’s service for its customers offers everything from a single source: from determining the issue, consultation, specifying the method, carrying out the measurement and data analysis to the final report. This means that ANAXAM does not simply carry out a measurement, but instead supports their industry partners from the original issue all the way to the results report. This comprehensive range of services meets the needs of SMEs in particular and comple- ments the existing range of analytical services for industry at PSI, including the many opportunities for research collaborations with PSI.
It is also due to the substantial support by PSI and its staff that ANAXAM is increasingly becoming established as a successful technology transfer centre that promotes the active transfer of PSI skills and know-how into industry practice. ANAXAM supports the industry, and particularly SMEs, in developing innovative production processes, optimising products or ensuring quality, thus improving their competitiveness.
Looking ahead
ANAXAM successfully completed numerous customer projects in the past 2.5 years. In addition, it raised its profile in the industrial environment, both nationally and internationally. In future, ANAXAM aims to strengthen its position as a competent and reliable partner for cutting-edge materials analysis. In addition, it will continue to expand its range of further education and training. The goal is to create a platform where industry representatives, analytics service providers and companies can exchange information on current challenges.
Do you have a technical challenge in the field of material analysis? The ANAXAM team will be happy to support you: https://www.anaxam.ch/de/kontaktcenter
