The NanoTec Apéro (top left), the Swiss NanoConvention and the SNI Annual Event (bottom right) focus on the exchange of ideas regarding current research projects and the making and strength- ening of contacts. Active networking The annual Swiss NanoConvention (SNC) provides Bringing researchers together for opportunities for networking beyond the borders of information and exchange the SNI network — particularly when the SNI orga- nizes the convention in Basel and can use invitations to cultivate contacts with international researchers. Within the SNI network, interdisciplinary exchange In 2024, the SNI team once again succeeded in bring- takes place on various levels. Project teams meet ing together leading scientists from Switzerland and regularly to discuss their respective lines of research. abroad and in organizing an inspiring SNC with Meetings are also essential at a cross-institutional some 300 participants. level so that SNI members have the opportunity to The SNI team uses various platforms to dissemi- discuss and generate ideas for collaborative projects. nate information within the network. As well as be- Once a year, all members come together for the An- ing active on various social media channels, the SNI nual Event, which has been held at Lake Hallwil in regularly reports on projects and activities via the the Canton of Aargau since 2023. Running from online magazine SNI INSight. In 2024, the SNI incor- Wednesday to Friday, the event includes scientific porated a section on funding grants into the maga- talks by doctoral students and project leaders, who zine to share details of the wide-ranging research discuss their research with one another as part of a projects of SNI members and also encourage ex- poster session and benefit from numerous opportu- change and new collaborations. nities to make new contacts and refresh old ones. Highlights from the NanoTec Apéro: https://youtube.com/ Held on an annual basis, the NanoTec Apéro re- shorts/tDm5riP0UFo volves specifically around the applied Nano-Argovia Report on the Swiss NanoConvention: https://bit.ly/4ijdCC9 projects in collaboration with industry. This is always Video Swiss NanoConvention: https://youtu.be/d2SxVeCabT0 an inspiring event and was hosted by Park Innovaare in 2024. As well as talks and posters on current proj- ects, which showcased the excellent collaboration between industry and research institutions, the around 70 participants particularly valued the tours of the Paul Scherrer Institute that were organized as part of this year’s event. 62 SNI Annual Report 2024