physics and nanotechnology

Switzerland has been at the forefront of the nanotechnology development curve, contributing enormously to the field through inventions such as the Atomic Force Microscope, the Scanning Tunneling Microscope and many other groundbreaking discoveries. Today, nanotechnology is one of Switzerland’s model industries. The excellent education and the high level of cooperation between the private sector, academic institutions, investors and authorities attracts researchers and nanoscience companies from all over the world.

Research institutions

CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world’s largest centres for scientific research. Its business is fundamental physics using particle accelerators and detectors.
The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research centre for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. It performs research in Structure of Matter; Energy and the Environment and Human Health. It is an Institute of the ETH Domain .
EMPA is a materials research institute in the ETH Domain, and is active in nanotechnology.
Swiss Nanoscience Institute SNI in Basel is a network of research groups working in nanoscienes. Several universities and research groups are involved. The SNI combines basic science with application-orientated research.The aim is to research in nanoscale dimensions and to identify and apply pioneering new principles in life sciences, for the sustainable use of resources, and for information and communications technologies. The SNI-webpage provides information about research and events in nanoscience in Switzerland.

Research programs

The Nanotechnology research program is generating new knowledge, new materials and new applications and is transferring this knowhow to potential users.
Nano-Tera.CH: Le Conseil des EPF a décidé d’allouer 40 millions de francs à l’initiative Nano-Tera.CH. Ce programme est centré sur l’application de micro- et nanotechnologies au design de systèmes embarqués, dans le but d’améliorer les conditions de vie et de sécurité des personnes, par l’observation en temps réel du corps humain et de l’environnement. Le programme est placé sous la coordination du professeur Giovanni de Micheli à l’EPFL.

Platforms

Swissnanotech is an information platform encouraging international dialogue and partnerships with the Swiss nanotechnology and microtechnology community. Swissnanotech promotes Swiss nanotechnology internationally, coordinate sprojects within the Swiss nanotech community and organizes national and international events.
The nanoforum is the European nanotechnology gateway. Find links to companies, research groups, events and news concerning nanotechnology in Europe.
Nano4schools provides a lot of useful information about nanotechnology for teachers, pupils and students.

Societies

The Swiss Physical Society (SPS) understands itself as an open forum of physicists and does not follow any economic interests.
Swisslaser.net or short SLN (Swiss Photonics and Laser Network) is a non-profit association. It is the Swiss national technology platform for photonics and serves as a network for a common vision and growth of the photonics industry.
Swiss Institute of Particle Physics

Reports

Swiss Nanotech Report 2010: Report about recent developments in nanotech industry in Switzerland.

news.myScience.ch

News from the Lab

Weste mit eingebauter Klimaanlage

14.05 - Forschende haben mit Industriepartnern eine «smarte» Schutzweste mit integriertem Kühlsystem entwickelt. Um die neue Weste zu testen, joggte ein Proband einige Kilometer auf dem Laufband.

Architecture - Physics 14.05

Light is good for our brains

Scientists have proven that light intensity influences our cognitive performance and how alert we feel, and that these positive effects last until early evening.

Physics 14.05

CERN welcomes its first choreographer in residence

CERN welcomes its first choreographer in residence - Geneva, 14 May 2012. Space, time and gravity are under the cultural spotlight at CERN 1 this month with the arrival of Gilles Jobin, the laboratory's first choreographer in residence and winner of the Collide@CERN Geneva 2 prize, which is supported by the Canton and City of Geneva.

Physics - Business 9.05