Am PSI widmen sich mehrere Projekte wichtigen Forschungsfragen rund um das Coronavirus Sars-CoV-2 und den daraus resultierenden Erkrankungen. Wir informieren über Aktivitäten und Vorhaben, zum Beispiel zu Untersuchungen von Lungengewebe, zur Produktion von Proteinen und Antikörpern oder über Ideen für neue Forschung zu Covid-19.
Nützliche Links
Enhanced Stability of a Pyrophosphate cathode for Na-ion batteries
The structural changes of Na3.32Fe2.11Ca0.23(P2O7)2 during several charge discharge cycles is viewed by its powder pattern and selected cell parameter evolution.
Harnessing components from the optical internet for programmable spectroscopy
A novel concept for extracting information from spectra where traditional post-processing procedures fail, dubbed ‘software-defined spectroscopy’, offers a fresh approach to high-resolution terahertz spectroscopy. The new method implements an ‘optical comb’ and combines it with a programmable modulator, all using components from the optical internet.
Dr. Manuel Guizar-Sicairos elected as Fellow member of The Optical Society (OSA)
Dr. Manuel Guizar-Sicairos, beamline scientist at the cSAXS beamline, was elected as a Fellow Member of The Optical Society (OSA) for seminal contributions to methods and applications of coherent lensless imaging, ptychography, x-ray nanotomography, and new modalities of x-ray microscopy.
Root induced soil deformation influences Fe, S and P: rhizosphere chemistry investigated using synchrotron XRF and XANES
Taking up nutrients from the soil is key to plant growth. Understanding and potentially controlling this process is important when growing food but also when caring for natural habitats, which are the basis for life on Earth. Typically, nutrients are tightly chemically bound to the soil, and roots need to create a chemical environment to harvest nutrients. Here we use the special capabilities X-ray microscopy with tender X-rays to study the chemical changes of sulfur, phosphorus, and iron in the vicinity of plant roots (rhizosphere). We can show that Fe is slightly reduced, S is increasingly transformed into sulfate (SO42−) and phosphorus (P) is increasingly adsorbed to humic substances in this enrichment zone around the root.
Demonstration of Muon-Beam Transverse Phase-Space Compression
We demonstrate efficient transverse compression of a 12.5 MeV=c muon beam stopped in a helium gas target featuring a vertical density gradient and crossed electric and magnetic fields. The muon stop distribution extending vertically over 14 mm was reduced to a 0.25 mm size (rms) within 3.5 μs. The simulation including cross sections ...
Unerwartetes Aufwölben eines Proteins
Forschende haben dem lebenswichtigen Protein Cytochrom C ein Geheimnis entlockt, das dieses bisher gut zu verbergen wusste. Messungen am Freie-Elektronen-Röntgenlaser SwissFEL zeigen Strukturänderungen, welche die Wissenschaft für diese Art von Biomolekül bisher ausgeschlossen hatten.
Refined diagnosis of the “concrete disease”
When bridges, dam walls and other structures made of concrete (cement and aggregates such as sand/gravel) are marked by map-like cracks after a few decades, the diagnosis is ASR (alkali-silica Reaction), in popular science terms also called “concrete disease or concrete cancer”. The ASR-induced microscale crack initiation can hardly be modelled, mainly due to our limited knowledge of the structure and property of the ASR products. Using X-ray absorption micro-spectroscopy at the PHOENIX beamline of the Swiss Light Source (SLS) allowed a refined diagnosis of ASR products by providing new insights into the crystallinity and structure of ASR products with micro-scale resolution.
Installation of Heidelberg DWL66+
Heidelberg DWL66+ direct laser writer, funded by ANAXAM, is in operation now. It is a new photolithographic system closing the gap between the mask aligners on one side and the Nanoscribe two-photon 3D lithography system on the other. It is equipped with semiconductor laser with the wave length of 405 nm and is capable of exposing the minimum feature size down to 0.3 µm on wafers up to 200 mm or 9"x9" mask blanks.
Messungen am PSI ermöglichten detailliertes Verständnis der Gen-Schere
Das PSI gratuliert Emmanuelle Charpentier und Jennifer Doudna zum diesjährigen Nobelpreis für Chemie. Experimente an der Synchrotron Lichtquelle Schweiz SLS im Jahr 2013 ermöglichten es, die Struktur des Proteinkomplexes CRISPR-Cas9 aufzuklären.
Improved Interfacial Stability of Ni-rich Oxide Full-Cells
PSI researchers have identified a novel electrolyte additive, allowing extended voltage range of Ni-rich oxide full-cells, while keeping excellent performance. The instability of cathode–electrolyte interface causes the structural degradation of cathode active material and the electrolyte consumption, resulting in a rapid capacity fading and shortening battery life-time. The PSI-identified additive help to alleviate these problems and extend battery life-time.
Electroless Deposition of Ni–Fe Alloys on Scaffolds for 3D Nanomagnetism
3D magnetic nanostructures are of great interest due to the possibility to design novel properties and the benefits for both technological applications such as high-density data storage, as well as more fundamental studies.
One of the main challenges facing the realization of these three-dimensional systems is their fabrication, which includes the deposition of magnetic materials on 3D surfaces. In this work, the electroless deposition of Ni–Fe
on a 3D-printed, non-conductive microstructure is presented.
Technology Briefing: Smart Energy Applied Solutions
Mittwoch, 11. November 2020, 13.30 –18.00 Uhr
Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf (Teilnahme möglich vor Ort ODER via Zoom)
Online-Anmeldung: www.empa-akademie.ch/technology
Das «Technology Briefing» hat zum Ziel, Industrie und Gewerbe über aktuelle praxisrelevante Fragestellungen zu informieren. Die Referenten von CSEM, Empa und PSI und aus der Industrie bieten einen ausgewogenen und praxisbezogenen Überblick über aktuelle Technologien. Neben der Information dient die Veranstaltung auch dem Erfahrungsaustausch mit ExpertInnen und der Möglichkeit, Zusammenarbeits- und Innovationspotentiale zu identifizieren.
Schilddrüsenkrebs gezielter bekämpfen
PSI-Forschende haben einen Weg gefunden, eine Form von Schilddrüsenkrebs gezielter und mit weniger Nebenwirkungen zu behandeln. Sie steigerten die Aufnahme eines Antitumormittels in Krebszellen. Die Ergebnisse erschienen im Fachblatt Theranostics.
Automatic extraction of dynamic features from sub-second tomographic microscopy data
A fully automatized iterative reconstruction pipeline designed to reconstruct and segment dynamic processes within a static matrix has been developed at TOMCAT. The algorithm performance is demonstrated on dynamic fuel cell data where it enabled automatic extraction of liquid water dynamics from sub-second tomographic microscopy data. The work is published in Scientific Reports on 2 October 2020.
Automatic extraction of dynamic features from sub-second tomographic microscopy data
A fully automatized iterative reconstruction pipeline designed to reconstruct and segment dynamic processes within a static matrix has been developed at TOMCAT. The algorithm performance is demonstrated on dynamic fuel cell data where it enabled automatic extraction of liquid water dynamics from sub-second tomographic microscopy data. The work is published in Scientific Reports on 2 October 2020.
Iodsäure beeinflusst Wolkenbildung am Nordpol
Ein internationales Forschungsteam hat einen neuen Faktor identifiziert, der die Bildung von Feinstaubpartikeln in der Arktis vorantreibt. Dabei handelt es sich um Iodsäure, eine chemische Verbindung, die in der Region zuvor noch nicht gemessen wurde.
«Wir waren schockiert, wie weit die Schmelze schon fortgeschritten ist»
Eine internationale Expedition unter Beteiligung des Paul Scherrer Instituts PSI entdeckt weit fortgeschrittene Gletscherschmelze auf über 4000 Metern Höhe am Grand Combin im Wallis. Für das Projekt „Ice Memory“, das Eisbohrkerne als Klimaarchiv für künftige Forschergenerationen bergen will, könnte es damit in den Alpen fast zu spät sein.
Swiss National Science Foundation Ambizione grant for Franziska Hagelstein
Franziska Hagelstein has been awarded a Swiss National Science Foundation Ambizione grant with PSI as host institution. She joined the particle theory group (NUM, Laboratory of Particle Physics LTP) in October 2020. In the near future she will be accompanied by a PhD student.
Winzlinge im Rampenlicht
Die Welt der Mikroben und Viren ist extrem alt und äusserst vielfältig. Mit den Grossforschungsanlagen des PSI blicken Forschende tief in diesen fremden Kosmos und erkunden vor allem Proteine exotischer Wesen.
Two-color snapshots of ultrafast charge and spin dynamics
In a joint research effort, an international team of scientists lead by Emmanuelle Jal (Sorbonne Université) performed a time-resolved experiment at the FERMI free-electron laser to disclose the dynamic behavior of two magnetic element of a compount material in only one snapshot. The X-ray Optics and Applications group developed a dedicated optical element for this experiment that is usable with two different photon energies (colors) simultaneously.
PSI - member of the Microsoft Quantum Network
The PSD is a research partner in the Microsoft Quantum Network, which is a broad community of individuals and organizations collaborating with Microsoft to advance a comprehensive quantum ecosystem, develop practical solutions, and build a robust quantum workforce.
The institutions of scientific excellence are partnering collaboratively with Microsoft to pursue the advancement of quantum computing research, development, and education. The large scale facilities at PSI, in particular the Swiss Light Source, offers unique characterizations techniques to shed light on the secrets of functional materials.
Spin cascade and doming in ferric hemes
In biology, structure and function are closely interwoven. A case in point is oxygen transport in the lungs, which relies on ferrous heme proteins adopting dome-like shapes.
Neues Verfahren für ultraschnelle Tumor-Therapie
Erstmals haben Forschende am Zentrum für Protonentherapie des PSI eine ultraschnelle, hoch dosierte Bestrahlung mit Protonen getestet. Das neue, experimentelle FLASH-Verfahren könnte die Strahlentherapie von Krebs revolutionieren.
Remote Operation of the PEEM Endstation
We have recently upgraded the PEEM endstation at the SIM beamline to enable remotely controlled experiments via internet and mailed-in samples. Sample positioning and tilt control is now possible by means of a motorized sample stage. A newly developed computer controlled switchbox is available for remote temperature control and in situ application of electric or magnetic fields to the sample.
Novel optics enable better X-ray Free Electron Laser experiments
Our research on multifocus off-axis zone plates was accepted in “Optica”, the highest impact journal of the Optical Society of America. In the paper we report on different ways to combine focusing and beam-splitting functionalities in one single optical element.
First light in the SwissFEL Maloja endstation
The first endstation at the SwissFEL Athos soft X-ray branch is rapidly developing and on track for first experiments in 2021.
BATTERY 2030+: Europa soll weltweit führend werden
Zukünftige Batterien müssen mehr Energie speichern, länger leben und sicherer und umweltfreundlicher sein als Batterien heutiger Bauart. Die europäische Initiative BATTERY 2030+, an der sich auch das PSI beteiligt, soll bei der Erreichung dieser Ziele helfen.
Technical Design of the Phase I Mu3e Experiment published on the arXiv
In almost a decade of R&D, we have developed a detailed technical design for the Mu3e experiment, based on many new and exciting detector technologies.
Direct Observation of the Statics and Dynamics of Emergent Magnetic Monopoles in a Chiral Magnet
In the three-dimensional (3D) Heisenberg model, topological point defects known as spin hedgehogs behave as emergent magnetic monopoles, i.e., quantized sources and sinks of gauge fields that couple strongly to conduction electrons, and cause unconventional transport responses such as the gigantic Hall effect. We observe a dramatic change in the Hall effect upon the transformation of a spin hedgehog crystal in a chiral magnet MnGe through combined measurements of magnetotransport and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS).
Nanowirbel mit besonderer Eigenschaft
Forschende am Paul Scherrer Institut PSI haben besondere Nano-Wirbel in einem Material zum ersten Mal nachgewiesen: sogenannte antiferromagnetische Skyrmionen.