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Energy and Environment (ENE)

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Energy and Environment Research Division (ENE).

Research at PSI comprises all aspects of human energy use, with the ultimate goal of promoting development towards a sustainable energy supply system. Technologies are being advanced for the utilization of renewable energy sources, low-loss energy storage, efficient conversion, and low emission energy use. Experimental and model-based assessment of these emissions forms the basis of a comprehensive assessment of economic, environmental and social consequences, for both present and future energy supply systems.

Division Head: Prof. Dr. Thomas Justus Schmidt

Scientific Highlights

18 mars 2021
X-ray images reveal near-surface oxidation and radicals in the interior of submicrometer particles.

Looking inside airborne particles for the chemistry responsible for their adverse health effects.

Chemical changes inside of breathable airborne particles can cause reactive oxygen species (ROS) and carbon centered radicals (CCRs) to form, which are harmful to our bodies and induce oxidative stress in lungs. Using X-ray spectromicroscopy at the PolLux beamline and mimicking the environmental and sunlit conditions aerosol particles experience in the atmosphere near the Earth Surface, it was recently found that highly viscous organic particles with low water content can attain high concentrations of ROS and CCRs that persist over long times. Natural particles like these will occur in ambient humidity below 60% and effectively trap ROS and CCRs inside that react when exposed to light.

En savoir plus
28 janvier 2021
Reaction route study

XPS allows in situ investigation of the solid-gas interface during a catalytic reaction

Platinum isolated atoms and clusters supported on molybdenum carbide have been characterized in situ by means of photoelectron spectroscopy. The presence of both species is essential to favor the stability, so that the catalysts displays high metal-normalized turnover number of 4,300,000 moles of hydrogen per mole of platinum during the water gas shift reaction.

En savoir plus
2 novembre 2020
Size of the corona virus: 60 - 140 nm

Aerosol distribution in rooms and the importance of proper ventilation

Urs Baltensperger explains the background why it is absolutely necessary to wear masks in order to reduce the risk of beeing infected with Covid-19.

In the following you find the presentation and  summary

En savoir plus
21 juillet 2020
PSI Summer Camp

Einfache Experimente zeigen: so gut schützen uns Masken und andere Materialien

Spätestens seit Corona ist der Maskengebrauch auch in der Schweiz im Alltag präsent. Doch wie gut können wir uns und andere mit verschieden Materialien vor kleineren und grösseren Partikeln schützen? Das alljährlich durchgeführte PSI Feriencamp bietet Kindern einen spannenden Einblick in die faszinierende Welt der Forschung. In diesem Jahr gingen Kinder an einer Projektstation genau dieser Frage nach. Dabei untersuchten sie, wie gut verschiedene Materialien die im Labor generierten Partikel zurückhalten. Es wurden Textilmasken (im Handel erhältlich, wiederverwendbar, nicht FFP2-zertifiziert), Chirurgenmasken (Einwegmasken, FFP2-zertifiziert), Teefilter, Kaffeefilter, Papiertaschentuch und WC-Papier getestet, und es wurde klar, Maske ist nicht gleich Maske.

En savoir plus
26 juin 2020
Online Orbitrap mass spectrometer for unambiguous molecular detections in real time and with high sensitivity

Online ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry for the molecular analysis of the atmosphere

Atmospheric aerosols are considered the single largest uncertainty in assessing the human contribution to global warming and amongst the top five health risks worldwide. Our ability to investigate aerosol sources, their formation processes in the gas-phase, and their societal impacts is largely governed by our capability to measure their molecular constituents in real-time. Researchers at PSI have combined for the first time ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry with high time resolution and sensitivity for the molecular analysis of aerosols.

En savoir plus
18 mai 2020
Artwork illustrating inhomogeneities in a megacity

Newly discovered rapid particle growth rates may be the answer to the mystery of aerosol formation in urban smog

Aerosols, suspended particles or droplets, play a key role in Earth’s atmosphere’s energy balance. They can also result in smog formation in cities, which leads to low visibility and serious health risks for the population. A recent study published in Nature outlines a newly discovered mechanism that may play a key role in the continued survival of particles in wintertime smog.

En savoir plus
8 mai 2020
Andrea Baccarini and Julia Schmale in the atmospheric measurement container during ACE

Around Antarctica in 90 days to study the pristine atmosphere

PSI researchers have designed and equipped a laboratory container for operation on research ships to undertake comprehensive studies of the chemistry and microphysics of the atmosphere. The floating laboratory was first deployed during the Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition (ACE) with the aim of characterizing aerosol processes that are relevant for climate change in an atmosphere, which is hardly influenced by human emissions of air pollutants other than greenhouse gases.

En savoir plus
3 février 2020
Operando XTM results of modified fuel cell microporous layer.

Fast operando X-ray tomographic microscopy improves polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) are a key technology for the decarbonization of automotive mobility. In collaboration with Toyota, it is shown by dynamic, operando X-ray tomographic microscopy, how the liquid water saturation in modified gas diffusion layer materials is reduced.

The imaging data supports the understanding of the underlying mechanisms and explains improved cell performance. Novel instrumentation at the TOMCAT beamline  further improves imaging time resolution and allows for scan times as short as 0.1 s.

En savoir plus
30 janvier 2020
Fraction of particulate black carbon mass scavenged in clouds as a function of cloud peak supersaturation.

Cloud droplet formation on soot particles

PSI researchers went to the Jungfraujoch research station and applied in situ measurement techniques in real clouds to investigate the ability of soot particles to form cloud droplets. This is a key process determining the atmospheric life-cycle of soot particles, which are primarily emitted by combustion engines and which have a warming effect on climate by absorbing solar radiation.

En savoir plus

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General Contact

Research Div. Energy and Environment
Paul Scherrer Institut
5232 Villigen-PSI
Switzerland

Head
Prof. Dr. Thomas J. Schmidt
+41 56 310 57 65
thomasjustus.schmidt@psi.ch


ENE Staff

Denise Verhoeven
Chief of Staff
+41 56 310 25 45
denise.verhoeven@psi.ch


Dr. Jörg Roth
+41 56 310 53 96
joerg.roth@psi.ch


Assistant
Ursula Ludgate
+41 56 310 20 92
ursula.ludgate@psi.ch

ENE Events

The Energy and Environment Research Division (ENE) hold a department seminar typically once a week during the semester on Thursdays at 11.00am.

22. avril 2021

ENE Seminar: Vitaly Sushkevich: Tenure Track Talk I

Research Division: ENE
Vitaly Sushkevich
En savoir plus

ENE Open positions

current opening at Research Division Energy and Environment

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