Open Day 2022

Last Sunday, the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI opened its doors and invited visitors to attend its Open Day. At over 40 stations, visitors were able to experience the many different research areas at PSI first-hand, interactively and with many spectacular effects.

PSI campus

An overwhelming number of visitors attended. Very soon, there were no more parking spaces available on the PSI campus and various external park-and-ride facilities had to go into action. People poured out of the shuttle buses, which ran from the Brugg and Döttingen railway stations directly to PSI every 10 minutes, heading for the two main entrances. By the evening, no fewer than 15,000 visitors had been counted, who explored the 40-hectare research site with its many different stations.

There was certainly plenty to see – be it fascinating lectures by research scientists, face painting for the youngest visitors, exciting guided tours through the large research facilities, stimulating discussions with scientists, intricate feats of engineering, steaming liquid nitrogen and a steaming railway engine, music, dancing and delicious food – all tastes were catered for – the day simply wasn’t long enough to fit in everything that was on offer.

And because it was so wonderful, we would like to review this fantastic day and share a small selection of photographs with you.

Getting a feel for research, interactively and playfully.
Getting a feel for research, interactively and playfully. A visitor has a go at a so-called remote manipulator. Grippers like this are normally used to move and manipulate dangerous substances such as radioactive materials from a safe distance – the pen and paper used on Open Day were of course completely harmless.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
A new take on PSI’s grounds. More than 15,000 visitors came along to take a closer look at the multifaceted research carried out at PSI and to experience it first hand at over 40 stations.
A new take on PSI’s grounds. More than 15,000 visitors came along to take a closer look at the multifaceted research carried out at PSI and to experience it first hand at over 40 stations.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
The large research facilities at PSI, such as the Swiss X-ray Free-Electron Laser SwissFEL, were open to visitors.
The large research facilities at PSI, such as the Swiss X-ray Free-Electron Laser SwissFEL, were open to visitors. During informative guided tours, scientists explained the physics and engineering achievements behind this large-scale project in easily understandable terms.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
There were many other things to be discovered, apart from the large research facilities.
There were many other things to be discovered, apart from the large research facilities. Here, the Energy and Environment research division presented its fictitious city of the future – Esiville. In a playful setting, visitors had the task of helping the Playmobil population of this model city to switch to renewable sources of energy.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
What is the difference between fossil kerosene and its sustainable synthetic equivalent?
What is the difference between fossil kerosene and its sustainable synthetic equivalent? This station provided the answer. The scientists used two small flasks to simulate the combustion process, demonstrating that soot emissions were much higher for fossil kerosene.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
The Health Innovation research division is recruiting its future scientists. Looking at this young visitor you can tell how much fun it is to work with a microscope.
The Health Innovation research division is recruiting its future scientists. Looking at this young visitor you can tell how much fun it is to work with a microscope.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
The youngest visitors were also catered for, alongside the science – the make-up tent was full of colourful and smiling faces.
The youngest visitors were also catered for, alongside the science – the make-up tent was full of colourful and smiling faces.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
The mock-up of a train from the historic Spanisch-Brötli Railway line allowed visitors to cover the long distances nostalgically and in comfort.
The mock-up of a train from the historic Spanisch-Brötli Railway line allowed visitors to cover the long distances nostalgically and in comfort.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Those who couldn’t get a seat or who preferred the exercise commuted between east and west on foot…
Those who couldn’t get a seat or who preferred the exercise commuted between east and west on foot…
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
… earning themselves a helping of tasty raclette.
… earning themselves a helping of tasty raclette.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Queuing up for the next large research facility – the Swiss Light Source SLS.
Queuing up for the next large research facility – the Swiss Light Source SLS.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
The Swiss Light Source SLS produces what is known as synchrotron light – a special type of X-rays that are used to study the electronic or magnetic properties of materials, for example.
The Swiss Light Source SLS produces what is known as synchrotron light – a special type of X-rays that are used to study the electronic or magnetic properties of materials, for example. The particles that are needed to generate this radiation travel at 99.999 percent of the speed of light. Visitors went round at a slightly more leisurely pace, navigating the circular facility at a walk.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Another large research facility: as part of the proton accelerator facility, the Cockcroft-Walten multiplier has been producing the most powerful proton beam in the world since 1994.
Another large research facility: as part of the proton accelerator facility, the Cockcroft-Walten multiplier has been producing the most powerful proton beam in the world since 1994. Can’t leave without a picture – there’s something Flash-Gordonish about this machine.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Professor Boombastic turned the auditorium into an interactive slapstick laboratory. Children between the ages of 5 and 99 clearly had a wonderful time.
Professor Boombastic turned the auditorium into an interactive slapstick laboratory. Children between the ages of 5 and 99 clearly had a wonderful time.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
And finally, delicious strawberry ice-cream – freshly prepared using nitrogen at -196 °C. Enjoy!
And finally, delicious strawberry ice-cream – freshly prepared using nitrogen at -196 °C. Enjoy!
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
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We look forward to the next event, and if you don’t want to wait that long, you are of course welcome to drop by at our Visitor Centre at any time – whether for an individual visit or a guided tour.

Text: Paul Scherrer Institute/Benjamin A. Senn

Further information

Open Day 2022 – A Finger on the Pulse of Research – Homepage for the Open Day 2022

Visitor Centre psi forum – Homepage Visitor Centre

Contact

Martina Gröschl
Press Officer PSI
Communications Department
Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen PSI, Schweiz
Telephone: +41 56 310 52 13, e-mail: martina.groeschl@psi.ch

Frank Reiser
Head of Section for Live Communication
Communications Department
Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen PSI, Schweiz
Telephone: +41 56 310 29 53, e-mail: frank.reiser@psi.ch

Copyright

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