News from Technology Transfer, 30. April 2009

Paul Scherrer Institute at the Hanover Trade Fair

PSI set a highlight at the Hanover Trade Fair from 20 to 24 April 2009

Extensive financial backing from the Business Network Switzerland OSEC and the canton of Aargau made it possible for PSI to exhibit at the Hanover Trade Fair on a joint stand alongside Aargau Services, University of Applied Sciences of Northwestern Switzerland and Technopark Aargau, though the beam balance with the “heavyweight innovation” provided by PSI proved to be an outstanding public attraction for the entire stand. At a glance, it was apparent that a small chip and Notebook had replaced an expensive and heavy oscilloscope and hence innovation is actually important.

A great many very interested and top-flight people wanted to know about the DRS4 chip, including the Swiss ambassador in Berlin, Dr. Christian Blickenstorfer, and the Aargau council member, Dr. Urs Hofmann.

This chip was developed at PSI by Stefan Ritt for the MEG experiment and its performance is basically equivalent to a commercial digital oscilloscope. During the course of the trade fair we were able to gain some new insight into potential fields of application for this product. Moreover, we took back with us various different requests for quotations for chips of this kind. Our appearance at the trade fair was regarded as very successful.