Dear colleagues and nanoenthusiasts, In the Annual Report 2024 that you have searchers have tackled problems in the that together make the SNI a unique in- before you, we look back over a busy year life sciences, medicine, and environmen- terdisciplinary, interinstitutional net- that was full of fascinating research find- tal, materials and quantum science — that work with shared objectives. ings and events that provided opportuni- is, in precisely the areas where we want For those who want more informa- ties for inspirational encounters. It was to continue making valuable contribu- tion, the scientific supplement offers also a year in which we continued to tions in the future by visualizing and man- more-detailed descriptions of projects think intensively about the future of the ufacturing tiny structures and objects. supported as part of the SNI PhD School Swiss Nanoscience Institute as we pre- The Nano Imaging Lab and Nano Fab- and the applied Nano-Argovia program in pared the final draft of the strategy paper rication Lab are the two service units that 2024. for 2024–2034. To this end, we not only together make up the Nano Technology sought the advice of external experts but Center. These two units contribute to the We hope you enjoy reading this year’s re- also took up ideas and proposals from SNI’s success not only through their ser- port. within the SNI network. In May 2024, the vices but also through research of their paper was then approved by our highest own. Over the coming years, the two body, the Argovia Committee. Accord- teams will play an increasingly vital role Kind regards, ingly, it will now serve as a guide and help within our network and act as a link be- us fulfill our vision of using nanotechnol- tween researchers. Work relating to ogy to improve lives. As the network for nanoimaging and nanofabrication is not nanosciences in Switzerland, we are keen only of interest to scientists. Indeed, an to help tackle the challenges of the future ever-broader audience enjoys fascinating through education and research. Our fo- insights into the micro and nanoworld cus will be on nanoimaging and nanofab- courtesy of the staff of the Nano Technol- Professor Martino Poggio rication and on bolstering collaboration ogy Center. SNI Director within the network. We will make sensi- Our small, dedicated communication ble and necessary adjustments on an on- and outreach team also generates inter- going basis and help solve the challenges est in the natural sciences in general and facing society through our activities in the nanosciences in particular on an on- the areas of teaching, research, technol- going basis with the help of various ogy transfer and services. events, such as the hugely successful In the first section of the annual re- “TecDay meets Swiss NanoConvention” port, we showcase selected highlights in in 2024. For this event, which formed terms of education within the nanosci- part of the Swiss NanoConvention orga- ences degree program and at the SNI PhD nized by the SNI in Basel, our team School before taking a closer look at re- worked with the Swiss Academy of Engi- search findings. Here, we offer examples neering Sciences SATW to compile a spe- of the fields where members of the SNI cial program for 60 students from Swiss network have published their results in high schools. The program provided the renowned scientific journals. We also pro- students with an introduction to the na- vide short and succinct descriptions of nosciences as well as a chance to experi- applied research projects funded by the ence the exciting atmosphere of an inter- SNI as part of the Nano-Argovia program national scientific conference. in 2024. In this context, it’s always fasci- This annual report provides further nating to see the diverse approaches ad- information on all of our activities. For opted by nanoscience research in its mis- example, a series of images offer insights sion to deliver solutions. This year, re- into the work of various working groups SNI Annual Report 2024 3