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Free Column --- page 4
A feedback on the Day of the Neutrons at PSI
and MaNEP's contribution
By Stefan Janssen and Joël Mésot*

After the great success of the public visitor day in 2005 the Paul Scherrer Institute again invited the general public to a special Day of the neutrons on October 28. MaNEP contributed by lending successful set ups, like the new Suprasurf.

Then event's subtitle was ‘Spies in the microcosmos’ and was meant to attract people’s attention on the fascinating property of the neutrons to probe the microscopic world and to provide examples from physics, chemistry, biology and materials science.

Over 3500 visitors learned about our research with neutrons and the experimental facilities.

At six large stations they were introduced to the technique and the scientific applications of neutron scattering and imaging. For instance :

Station 1 was dedicated to medical applications. Two researchers from Uni Fribourg reported on their research on the grey cataract in a highly interesting and easily understandable way. The lecture hall was full for each of the three presentations given that day. After each presentation an ophthalmologist was there to answer questions from the audience.

Station 2 offered experimental facilities dealing with low temperatures, high pressure or magnetic fields.

People experienced how strong magnetic fields can be and what happens to 'everyday' objects when

 cooled to liquid nitrogen temperatures. In a competition they could test their ability to estimate and compare pressures in our daily life.

Another attraction was set up with the help from the Universities of Geneva and Neuchatel in connection with MaNEP.

PSI Neutronen Tag

The Suprasurf from MaNEP was an immense success during the “day of the neutrons at PSI (click picture to enlarge).

Their experiments were exhibited to show the possible future applications of high temperature superconductors.
One of the highlights was the Suprasurf**, a chair equipped with superconductors which levitates over a magnetic railway.
Visitors could take a tour and were impressed by the experience of being suspended and glide over the rails without any contact.

Experts from PSI also gave popular talks on materials science and superconductivity. For instance it was explained how neutrons can contribute to solve the mystery of
high-temperature superconductivity.

Those presentations were given in the SINQ halls, which were darkened and illuminated in a spectacular way.

The ‘Forum, PSI's visitors centre (www.psiforum.ch)’ was open and showed its exhibitions. People were spoiled with ice cream produced by liquid-N2 at the restaurant.

Many thanks to all the staff involved who made this event a huge success. The generous support by MaNEP, through the universities of Geneva and Neuchatel, is gratefully acknowledged.
**The Suprasurf was created by engineer Gaby Bosch and his team to be first shown in Geneva in June during the SupraFête, a big MaNEP public event. It will also be shown during next year's CERN celebrations for the launch of the LHC [note from the editor].
[ Download the Day of the Neutrons small poster ]
Dr Stefan Janssen *Stefan Janssen works at the PSI's Solid State Research with Neutrons and Muons.
He is responsible for the PSI User Office.
*Joël Mésot is a MaNEP (Forum) member working at PSI at the Laboratory for Neutron Scattering.