Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI are looking for answers to essential questions concerning the underlying structures of matter and the fundamental principles of nature. They study the composition and properties of elementary particles – the smallest building blocks of matter – or investigate the structure of biological molecules and how they perform their function. The knowledge gathered in this way opens up new approaches to finding solutions in science, medicine and technology.
Find out more at Overview Fundamentals of Nature
Real-Time Insights into Sodium-Ion Battery Chemistry
Identification of gaseous decomposition products from irreversible side-reactions enables understanding of inner working of rechargeable batteries. Unlike for Li-ion batteries, the knowledge of the gas-evolution processes in Na-ion batteries is limited. Our study revealed that Na-ion cells develop a less stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) compared to Li-ion cells due to higher solubility of SEI constituents in Na-electrolytes.
A new Fusion Collaboration
Munich-based Proxima Fusion and PSI have signed a framework agreement.
Anomalous spin precession systematic effects in the search for a muon EDM using the frozen-spin technique
In the paper, the international muEDM collaboration at PSI discusses systematic effects of the most sensitive measurement of the muon's electric dipole moment (EDM). Scientists from Europe are developing a prototype experiment using the frozen-spin technique (FST) to achieve unprecedented sensitivity. The FST meticulously aligns a magnetic field with a perpendicular electric field so that the muon's spin orientation always follows its momentum. This enhances the sensitivity to the muon EDM by about 3 orders of magnitude compared to the best result from the muon g-2 experiment at Brookhaven National Lab.
The paper addresses systematic effects that could mimic an EDM signal when E- and B-fields are not perfectly aligned, adjusted, or stable over time. While most effects cancel out when reversing the magnetic field, some residual effects the specifications for the fields' uniformity, stability, and orientation,
which are challenging but achievable.
Cooperation in reactor research
Copenhagen Atomics and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have entered into a collaboration agreement on a thorium molten salt critical experiment.
Removal of ionic and colloidal 110 mAg from radioactive wastewater using radiografted chelating adsorbents
Nuclear power plays a crucial role in a sustainable future due to its ability to generate large amounts of low-carbon electricity, which is essential for mitigating climate change. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear energy produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions, helping to reduce the overall carbon footprint of power generation. However, the main concern is the inevitable accumulation of nuclear waste, and this needs to be properly addressed. With the anticipated increase in the number of operating nuclear power plants around the world it is essential to develop new materials and technologies for nuclear waste management. In our latest study we have developed and tested new radiografted materials as potential 110mAg adsorbents. This silver radionuclide is a very elusive contaminant in the pressurized water reactors (PWR) and represents a major problem for normal operation. Additionally, 110mAg possess a significant danger to the environment, if not removed completely from the PWR wastewater.
Towards fast ptychography image reconstruction of EUV masks by deep neural networks
In this study, we explore and demonstrate a rapid method for actinic patterned EUV mask inspection based on a deep neural network (DNN) architecture which exploits a-priori information of the photomask sample. We aim to achieve fast, high-quality image reconstruction of an EUV mask by using comparatively few diffraction patterns in a formalism consistent with the ptychography approach.
We tested our prior-primed DNN method on both synthetic and experimental data, demonstrating that the sample can be reconstructed fast and with high fidelity, allowing us to map out the mask defects down to a size of about 40 nm.
Design and Preclinical Evaluation of a Novel Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Radioligand Modified with a Transthyretin Binder
Radioligands targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are currently used in the clinics to treat patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Continuous investigations are, nevertheless, conducted to design new small molecule-based radioligands and improve their respective pharmacokinetic properties. Various strategies have been devised to reasonably prolong the blood circulation, which would result into enhanced tumor accumulation and radiation dose delivered to eliminate the cancer cells. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of the incorporation of a transthyretin binder (TB-01) in the tumor uptake of the resultant PSMA-targeted radioligand.
Slipping a note to a neighbour: the cellular way
Study reveals how drug molecules bind in channels between neighbouring cells, changing intercellular communication.
International collaboration lays the foundation for future AI for materials via the OPTIMADE standard
Artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating the development of new materials. A prerequisite for AI in materials research is large-scale use and exchange of data on materials, which is facilitated by a broad international standard. A major international collaboration including researchers from the LMS laboratory now presents an extended version of the OPTIMADE standard.
Observation of Mermin-Wagner behavior in LaFeO3/SrTiO3 superlattices
Two-dimensional magnetic materials can exhibit new magnetic properties due to the enhanced spin fluctuations that arise in reduced dimension. However, the suppression of the long-range magnetic order in two dimensions due to long-wavelength spin fluctuations, as suggested by the Mermin-Wagner theorem, has been questioned for finite-size laboratory samples. Here we study ...
Aluminium and solar
The SLS building is currently getting a new roof.
Coexistence of Superconductivity and Antiferromagnetism in Topological Magnet MnBi2Te4 Films
The interface of two materials can harbor unexpected emergent phenomena. One example is interface-induced superconductivity. In this work, we employ molecular beam epitaxy to grow a series of heterostructures formed by stacking together two nonsuperconducting antiferromagnetic materials, an intrinsic antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi2Te4 and an antiferromagnetic iron chalcogenide FeTe.
Can aerosols stop global warming?
Injecting particles into the stratosphere to cool the earth? In our interview, PSI researcher Markus Ammann comments critically on the controversial subject of solar geoengineering.
leadXpro and Golgi Neurosciences Work on GPR65 Modulators
leadXpro, a spin-off company of PSI active in the field of biotechnology, and Golgi Neurosciences, a biotech incubator based in Milan, have announced a partnership to develop therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. They are working on positive and negative modulators of the GPR65 receptor, which plays a role in neuroinflammation, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, fibrosis, cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Phonon promoted charge density wave in topological kagome metal ScV6Sn6
Charge density wave (CDW) orders in vanadium-based kagome metals have recently received tremendous attention, yet their origin remains a topic of debate. The discovery of ScV6Sn6, a bilayer kagome metal featuring an intriguing √3 × √3 × √3 CDW order, offers a novel platform to explore the underlying mechanism behind the unconventional CDW. Here we combine ...
Seasonal Gas Storage Facilities in Switzerland
Switzerland is the only country in central Europe without large seasonal gas storage facilities. Should it build some?
15th EMUG meeting, Rome, Italy (Hybrid), 2024
Sapienza University - Rome, EMUG 2024 (Hybrid)
Association for medical research and innovation founded in the Canton of Aargau
On June 3, 2024, Kantonsspital Aarau, Kantonsspital Baden, Hirslanden Klinik Aarau, ETH Zurich, Empa, and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) founded the "Association for Medical Research and Innovation in the Canton of Aargau." This project aims to intensify the transfer of knowledge between research and clinical practice, making medical innovations more quickly accessible.
Ausflug der Lernenden Polymechaniker
Lernende haben einen Einblick in die Fertigung von Werkzeugmaschinen
Scientist careers at our partner companies: Sara Da Ros, Head Strategic Supply Chain Projects at Siegfried
Our partner companies are interested in attracting PSI's early career researchers, and we introduce scientists working at partner companies to showcase career perspectives. In today's post, meet Sara Da Ros who did her PhD in organic chemistry at ETHZ and is currently Head of Strategic Supply Chain Projects at Siegfried. She tells us how she managed the transition away from academia, and what she is working on now.
New association brings medical practice and research together
The Association for Medical Research and Innovation in the Canton of Aargau was founded on 3 June 2024.
PSI in a new design
Fresh, clear and innovative. Our new website is designed to encourage people to browse through our site online and on their mobile devices. It is part of a comprehensive rebranding project that was developed in collaboration with the Zurich branding agency Scholtysik.
Welcome to Our New Team Members!
We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Haohan Zhang and Elizaveta Artiushova as they join our research team.
Promotion versus Poisoning in Copper–Gallium-Based CO2-to-Methanol Hydrogenation Catalysts
Cu–Ga-based CO2-to-methanol hydrogenation catalysts display a range of catalytic performance, depending on their preparation. Here, we investigated how the Ga/Cu ratio and Ga speciation affect the catalytic activity. Using surface organometallic chemistry, we prepared a series of silica-supported 3–6 nm Cu1–xGaxOy nanoparticles with a range of xGa. The materials display a volcano-type activity behavior, where methanol formation is promoted when xGa < 0.13–0.18 and is suppressed at higher values, indicating a poisoning of the catalysts. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and in situ infrared spectroscopy helped to understand the structure-activity relationship.
Vladislav Zobnin Honored with Best Presentation Award at NUCLEAR 2024 Conference
We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Vladislav Zobnin for receiving the prestigious Best Presentation Award at the NUCLEAR 2024 conference.
Third Data Challenge
The Mu3e data challenges aim at establishing the data processing and storage procedures as well as the online monitoring tools. Using simulated data, we developed monitoring tools, event displays and control over all the data flows. We also prepared cabling the detector with optical fibres.
Optimizing a radiochemical separation of 26Al from an acidic V-rich matrix
At the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), within the Isotope and Target Chemistry (ITC) group, various radiochemical methods are developed to fully separate and purify individual radionuclides. These separation methods are devised for both new experiments and for reprocessing radioactive waste from previous experiments.
Die Greenboxen - gärtnern am PSI
Das Projekt «Greenbox» kam zustande mit dem «Campus 2023». Es sind 45 Hochbeete, die den Mitarbeitenden zur Bepflanzung zur Verfügung stehen. Angepflanzt werden kann ganz vieles wie Gemüse, Obst, Blumen oder auch Kräuter. Um die Boxen kümmert man sich etwa 5 Monate und kann über die Ernte frei verfügen.
Nature’s sunscreen and other SwissFEL stories
From DNA repair to catalysts: how the Alvra experimental station at SwissFEL has developed into a special tool for biology and chemistry research.
Welcome to LXN Kajal Biju
Herzlich Willkommen Kajal Biju im LXN!