Visiting the researchers

The new exhibition in the PSI Visitor Center highlights the contribution the Paul Scherrer Institute makes to addressing the important questions that society is facing, from the energy transition and the fight against cancer, to the development of new technologies. Come with us on a voyage of discovery.

Exploring ground-breaking research: the new exhibition “Visiting the researchers” has 13 thematic islands that invite you on a journey through the fascinating research at PSI.
Exploring ground-breaking research: the new exhibition “Visiting the researchers” has 13 thematic islands that invite you on a journey through the fascinating research at PSI.
© Paul Scherrer Institute PSI/Markus Fischer
Where are PSI scientists conducting research into energy, new technologies or the medicine of the future? A map provides an overview of the PSI campus to help you find your way around and visit the individual thematic islands.
Where are PSI scientists conducting research into energy, new technologies or the medicine of the future? A map provides an overview of the PSI campus to help you find your way around and visit the individual thematic islands.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Virtual encounter with researchers: each thematic island features a film portrait of our researchers, giving an insight into where they work and their current focus of their research. Then you have a chance to experience their research first hand through interactive exhibits.
Virtual encounter with researchers: each thematic island features a film portrait of our researchers, giving an insight into where they work and their current focus of their research. Then you have a chance to experience their research first hand through interactive exhibits.
© Paul Scherrer Institute PSI/Markus Fischer
How does the energy system of the future look? PSI scientists are already researching that today. Renewable energies play an important role. Make your own hydrogen and use a fuel cell to launch a marble run.
How does the energy system of the future look? PSI scientists are already researching that today. Renewable energies play an important role. Make your own hydrogen and use a fuel cell to launch a marble run.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Designing and producing medicines is a highly skilled task: work on radiopharmaceuticals takes place in specially equipped laboratories. Find out for yourself just how much skill is required.
Designing and producing medicines is a highly skilled task: work on radiopharmaceuticals takes place in specially equipped laboratories. Find out for yourself just how much skill is required.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Train, bus, bicycle, petrol or electric car? PSI experts conduct rigorous analysis of all their technology and sustainability credentials. Find out which comes out best in a life cycle assessment.
Train, bus, bicycle, petrol or electric car? PSI experts conduct rigorous analysis of all their technology and sustainability credentials. Find out which comes out best in a life cycle assessment.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Conducting research on the computer of the future: in just one computing step, quantum computers can process much more information than conventional computers. The principle behind them is not easy to understand. Try it yourself, using light as an analogy.
Conducting research on the computer of the future: in just one computing step, quantum computers can process much more information than conventional computers. The principle behind them is not easy to understand. Try it yourself, using light as an analogy.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
High-tech cancer solutions: at the Center for Proton Therapy, patients receive a highly effective and less aggressive form of treatment developed at PSI. Discover the exciting story of proton therapy.
High-tech cancer solutions: at the Center for Proton Therapy, patients receive a highly effective and less aggressive form of treatment developed at PSI. Discover the exciting story of proton therapy.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Small, fast and energy-efficient: future technologies need materials with completely new properties. These are researched with the help of customised crystals. Be dazzled by their beauty.
Small, fast and energy-efficient: future technologies need materials with completely new properties. These are researched with the help of customised crystals. Be dazzled by their beauty.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
PSI’s large research facilities visualise what has previously been impossible for the human eye to see. Embark on a unique journey through one of the body’s most fascinating organs: the lung.
PSI’s large research facilities visualise what has previously been impossible for the human eye to see. Embark on a unique journey through one of the body’s most fascinating organs: the lung.
© Paul Scherrer Institute PSI/Markus Fischer
How can radioactive waste be stored safely for up to a million years? The best method is in deep underground repositories encased in suitable host rock, according to research by PSI scientists. Discover how the deep repository changes over thousands of years.
How can radioactive waste be stored safely for up to a million years? The best method is in deep underground repositories encased in suitable host rock, according to research by PSI scientists. Discover how the deep repository changes over thousands of years.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
In future, intelligent micromachines could navigate through human blood vessels and carry out microsurgery inside the body. They are controlled by magnetic fields. Explore the seemingly magical power of magnetism.
In future, intelligent micromachines could navigate through human blood vessels and carry out microsurgery inside the body. They are controlled by magnetic fields. Explore the seemingly magical power of magnetism.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Nano-vortices as bits of the future: conventional data storage will reach its technical limits before long. PSI researchers are searching for new options. One very promising candidate is skyrmions. In the new exhibition they are presented as a hologram that will captivate visitors.
Nano-vortices as bits of the future: conventional data storage will reach its technical limits before long. PSI researchers are searching for new options. One very promising candidate is skyrmions. In the new exhibition they are presented as a hologram that will captivate visitors.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
A dramatic spectacle: researchers use the free-electron laser SwissFEL to observe processes that are so fast, no one previously knew what actually happens. Browse through PSI’s newest large research facility.
A dramatic spectacle: researchers use the free-electron laser SwissFEL to observe processes that are so fast, no one previously knew what actually happens. Browse through PSI’s newest large research facility.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
Specialised in tackling unsolved questions: the muons produced at PSI only live two millionths of a second on average. Even so, they can help solve some of the universe’s biggest mysteries.
Specialised in tackling unsolved questions: the muons produced at PSI only live two millionths of a second on average. Even so, they can help solve some of the universe’s biggest mysteries. © Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer
Making the invisible visible: new detectors for X-ray light are being continuously developed at PSI, from the initial concept to the end product. Find out what scientists across the globe are investigating with the help of our detectors.
Making the invisible visible: new detectors for X-ray light are being continuously developed at PSI, from the initial concept to the end product. Find out what scientists across the globe are investigating with the help of our detectors.
(Photo: Paul Scherrer Institute/Markus Fischer)
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How do we ensure our future energy supply in a way that conserves natural resources? What does medicine have in store for us in the future? Which new technologies will advance our society? The Paul Scherrer Institute is searching for answers to these critical questions.

Under the motto “Visiting the researchers”, PSI invites you to the new exhibition in the Visitor Centre to discover its wide-ranging research.

© PSI provides image and/or video material free of charge for media coverage of the content of the above text. Use of this material for other purposes is not permitted. This also  includes the transfer of the image and video material into databases as well as sale by third parties.

PSI Visitor Center
Paul Scherrer Institute PSI
Forschungsstrasse 111
5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland

+41 56 310 21 00
visitorcenter@psi.ch