Facts & Figures

The Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) developed from the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) “Nanoscale Science” in 2006 and constitutes a priority program of the University of Basel. It combines basic science with application-orientated research. In various projects researchers focus on nanoscale structures and aim at providing new impact and ideas to the life sciences, to the sustainable use of resources, and to information and communication technologies. The University of Basel as the leading house coordinates the network of the involved universities, federal research institutes, industrial partners and the Argovia-network, which is financed by the Swiss Canton of Aargau. With the establishment of the SNI the University of Basel continues to secure the internationally acknowledged position as a centre of excellence in nanoscale sciences.

About 200 scientists work together in interdisciplinary groups made up of physicists, pharmacologists, biologists, chemists, physicians, computer scientists and engineers. The various research groups focus on the following six subject areas: Nanobiology, Quantum Computing and Quantum Coherence, Atomic and Molecular Nanosystems, Molecular Electronics, Functional Materials, and Nanotechnology and Applications.

Professors Christian Schönenberger and Daniel Loss, both from the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, lead the research program. The overall annual budget is 15.95 million Swiss Francs for the NCCR Nanoscale Science (University of Basel 5.5 million, Federal Government 4.75 million, network partners 4.6. million, third parties 1.1 million) and 5 million Swiss France from the canton Aargau for Argovia-projects (module 6).

Network within the SNI:

• University of Basel (includung departments of Physics, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biozentrum, Kantonsspital)
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ)
• University of Zurich
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)
• University of Neuchâtel
• Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology Neuchâtel (CSEM)
• Paul Scherrer Institute Villigen (PSI)
• EMPA
• Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW)
• IBM Research Laboratory Rüschlikon

Additionally, scientists work closely together with colleagues from all over the world - more ...

Research

In the SNI scientific research is focused on nanoscale dimensions to identify and apply pioneering new principles. The SNI places particular emphasis on interdisciplinary innovative collaboration between different branches of science and different institutions, the goal of the various teams being to come up with outstanding scientific achievements that will secure the position of the SNI as a leader in the nanoscale sciences. The following topics are covered:

• Nanobiology
  Module leaders: Professor Andreas Engel (Uni Basel) and Professor Ueli Aebi (Uni Basel)
• Quantum Computing and Quantum Coherence
  Module leaders: Professor Daniel Loss (Uni Basel) and Professor Klaus Ensslin (ETH Zurich)
• Atomic and Molecular Nanosystems
  Module leaders: Professor Ernst Meyer (Uni Basel) and Professor Hans-Josef Hug (EMPA/Uni Basel)
• Molecular Electronics
  Module leaders: Professor Christian Schönenberger (Uni Basel) and Dr. Thomas Jung (Paul Scherrer Institute)
• Functional Materials by Hierarchical Self-Assembly
  Module leaders: Professor François Diederich (ETH Zurich) and Professor Wolfgang Meier (Uni Basel)
• Applied Projects in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
  Module leaders: Professor Jens Gobrecht (FHNW, PSI) and Professor Uwe Pieles (FHNW)
• Supplementary Research Activities
  Module leader: NCCR Board

One of the major objectives of the SNI is the transfer of scientific results to other research institutions and companies and the commercial use of our own scientific findings. In the first period of the NCCR from 2001 to 2005 numerous patents were applied for and three spin-off companies were founded by SNI researchers (Concentris GmbH, Nanonis GmbH, SwissProbe AG). The new scientific findings will also be of benefit to young academic researchers. Scientists of the SNI teach Nano-Students and advise them on various courses (See also: Bachelor und Master in Nanosciences). Special programs to support young scientists and to improve opportunities for women within the SNI are also carried out.

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