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Nuclear Energy and Safety (NES)

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Nuclear Energy and Safety Research Division

The Paul Scherrer Institute has a long tradition in energy research. With respect to nuclear energy, PSI has a unique position in Switzerland. This is due to its heavy infrastructure, namely the Hot Laboratory with so-called hot cells, well equipped and shielded zones for work and research on radioactive material. In addition, the nuclear energy division takes advantage of PSI's large facilities like the Swiss Light Source (SLS) and the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source (SINQ).

Based on this infrastructure and the know-how of its collaborators the Division is involved in three main topics of research: Safety of currently operating light-water reactors, safety characteristics of future reactor concepts and related fuel cycles, and long-term safety of deep geological repositories for nuclear wastes of all kind.

The work is being done on behalf of the Federal Government and in close cooperation with the Swiss nuclear utilities, the national waste management organization, Nagra, and the national regulatory authority, ENSI. It also includes scientific services for the nuclear power plants. Most of the research is connected with international projects on a multi- or bi-national cooperation basis.

Upcoming NES events

13. April 2021, 11:00 - 12:00
https://psich.zoom.us/j/61878175273?pwd=dW93RVZYTEZvUVBka3RNTjlWNzV1dz09

Metamaterials for vacuum field engineering of two-dimensional systems

Laboratory for Scientific Computing and Modelling (LSM) Seminar
Prof. J. Faist (ETHZ)
Read more
16. April 2021, 10:30 - 12:00
https://psich.zoom.us/j/2569249708

Aspects of Technetium and Rhenium Chemistry; from π-aromatic ligands to N2

Research Division: NES
Prof. Roger Alberto, University of Zurich
Read more
22. April 2021, 14:00 - 15:00
Zoom ID, https://psich.zoom.us/j/4257522734

Sparse grid-based Adaptive Noise Reduction strategy for Particle-In-Cell schemes

Laboratory for Scientific Computing and Modelling (LSM) Event
Muralikrishnan, Sriramkrishnan
Read more

Recent News from NES

8 April 2021
Teaser

Used Nuclear Fuel: from Better Characterization to Better Optimization

A safe, economical and environmental friendly disposal of used nuclear fuel represents an essential objective of relevance for all. This guides the approach under development at the laboratory for reactor physics and thermal-hydraulics. Establish higher resolution simulation methods to gain more detailed knowledge on the content of each single nuclear fuel rod ever irradiated in a reactor. Thereafter, use this knowledge to explore optimization approaches that could potentially enlarge the range of disposal options allowing to fulfill the highest level of safety standards while reducing economical costs and geological footprints at the same time.

Read more
29 March 2021
Luc Van Loon

Safely stored for a million years

Energy and Environment Research Using Synchrotron Light Nuclear Power Plant Safety

Switzerland plans to construct a deep repository for its radioactive waste. There are three potential locations, and data obtained by PSI researchers can aid in selection of the best one.

Read more
5 March 2021
Tom Kober

Switzerland's energy transition

Media Releases Energy and Environment

Can Switzerland, as planned, reduce its CO2 emissions to zero by 2050? What is needed to achieve this? What could it cost?

Read more
2 March 2021
teaser

Watching receptor proteins changing shape

Research Using Synchrotron Light SwissFEL Biology Human Health

In our bodies, G protein-coupled receptors mediate countless processes. PSI researcher Ramon Guixà talks about how he brings those receptor molecules to life on the computer screen.

Read more
22 January 2021
Manuel Grimm

New blueprint for more stable quantum computers

Matter and Material Quantum Research

PSI researchers have shown how faster and better defined quantum bits can be created. The central elements are magnetic atoms from the class of so-called rare-earth metals, selectively implanted into the crystal lattice of a material.

Read more
15 December 2020
Umschlag Weissbuch Radiochemie Schweiz

Weissbuch Radiochemie Schweiz

In December 2020, the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) published its white book on radiochemical education in Switzerland. The report was authored under the lead of Prof. Dr. Roger Alberto (University of Zurich), Dr. Mario Burgener (Spiez Laboratory), and Prof. em. Dr. Heinz W. Gäggeler (University of Bern/Paul Scherrer Institute) and comprises contributions from many experts on the topic from various institutions throughout Switzerland. The white book highlights the imminent loss of experts in the field of radiochemistry and provides solutions to counteract this development.

Read more
12 December 2020
Picture showing Prof. Dr. P. Steinegger (appointment)

Radiochemistry at ETH Zurich

As of December 10, 2020, the ETH Zurich appointed PSI’s Prof. Dr. Patrick Steinegger as assistant professor of radiochemistry  (tenure track). Thus, the ETH domain took first counter  measures against the imminent loss of radiochemical expertise  in Switzerland, emphasized in the “Weissbuch Radiochemie  Schweiz” by the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT).  Furthermore, the December issue of CHIMIA (Swiss Chemical  Society) invited to present the diverse radiochemical activities  throughout the country.

Read more
1 December 2020
CHIMIA Radiochemistry in Switzerland

CHIMIA: Radiochemistry in Switzerland

The December issue of CHIMIA of the Swiss Chemical Society (SCS) focused on the radiochemical activities throughout Switzerland. Scientists of the Laboratory of Radiochemistry contributed with a number of articles ranging from topics of fundamental sciences to applied research, thereby reflecting on the diverse projects carried out in our laboratory.

Read more
2 November 2020
Teaser Pic AHL Highlight 11-2020

New element and speciation specific analytical options at AHL

The Hot Laboratory division (AHL) within PSI’s Nuclear Energy and Safety (NES) division continually upgrades and advances its analytical infrastructure to provide cutting-edge scientific service to PSI’s researchers and industrial customers. A new, fully automatable and highly flexible Ion Chromatograph (IC) furthers AHL’s efforts in sample miniaturization and extends the spectrum of destructive analytical capabilities to element and speciation specific analyses. With the new IC and its modern ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) facilities, AHL offers innovative scientific options for nuclear and general research. Moreover, speciation analyses by IC-ICP-MS for polyvalent inorganic water pollutants such as Cr or As and the acquisition of a new ICP-OES system (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry) enable future autonomy in wastewater management.

Read more

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Contact

Research Division
Nuclear Energy and Safety
Paul Scherrer Institute
OHSA/E72
5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland

Division Head
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pautz
Telephone: +41 56 310 3497
E-mail: Andreas.Pautz@psi.ch

Executive Assistant
Ute D. Mayer
Telephone: +41 56 310 2740
E-mail: Ute.Mayer@psi.ch
Ramona Dreier
Telephone: +41 56 310 2741
E-mail: Ramona.Dreier@psi.ch

NES Open positions

Current job openings in the Research Division for Nuclear Energy and Safety


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How to get to the Paul Scherrer Institute (description and map)

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