Muon Research in Switzerland: National Research Focus "Muoniverse" Approved

Summary

The Swiss National Science Foundation has approved the funding application for the National Research Focus "Muoniverse," led by the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and the University of Zurich. The project positions Switzerland as a world leader in muon research and opens revolutionary applications in materials science, industry, and cultural heritage. With modernized beam quality and new professorships, research infrastructure will be massively expanded. The project unites over 15 national and international research partners in an unprecedented collaboration.

People

• Klaus Kirch
• Angela Papa
• Marc Janoschek

Topics

• Elementary particle research
• Materials science
• Research funding
• Swiss research infrastructure

Clarus Lead

Switzerland is receiving a flagship project for international muon research with "Muoniverse." The PSI already operates the world's most intense muon beams; with the new funding focus, these capacities will be systematically expanded and technologically revolutionized. The planned improvements enable not only basic research on quantum materials and superconductors, but also industrial applications and cultural analyses – from battery research to non-destructive art examination.

Clarus Original Research

• Clarus Research: This is the first time that the PSI has taken the lead of a National Research Focus. In the five previous funding rounds (2001, 2005, 2010, 2014, 2020), the institute was only involved as a contributor (MaNEP, MUST, MARVEL). This development signals a status change for the PSI in the Swiss research landscape.

• Classification: Muons enable penetration of thick material samples – an advantage over electrons, which only capture surface layers. The planned focus upgrade (from the previous "axe approach" to "scalpel") increases precision many times over and opens entirely new research fields, such as in battery technology and art history.

• Consequence: Three new professorships will be created and interdisciplinary muon research will be sustainably anchored in Switzerland. This not only ensures competitiveness but positions Switzerland as a global center of excellence and attracts international researchers.

Detailed Summary

The Swiss National Science Foundation has issued the sixth funding round for National Centers of Competence in Research (NCCR). These long-term projects of strategic importance enable interdisciplinary and inter-university research. The consortium around the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and the University of Zurich has prevailed with the "Muoniverse" project.

What are muons? Muons are elementary particles and the heavier cousins of electrons. They possess identical physical properties but differ in higher mass and instability. These properties enable them to penetrate thick material samples – a decisive advantage over electrons, which can only capture surface layers. However, muons are extremely short-lived, which is why sophisticated particle accelerators are necessary to generate them and quickly transport them to experiments.

Current Position and Competition: The PSI already operates the world's most intense muon beams. However, international competition is catching up. For this reason, the institute is already conducting an upgrade project called IMPACT. With "Muoniverse," however, researchers are planning significantly more ambitious improvements that far exceed the current state of the art.

Technological Innovation: From Axe to Scalpel: The central innovation is the focusing of muon beams to the highest quality. This enables highly precise analyses even on small material samples – a metaphor that Klaus Kirch describes as the transition "from axe to scalpel." With such clean beams, novel quantum materials and superconductors can be analyzed in detail.

Application Spectrum: Applications extend far beyond basic research. For industry, muon beams become interesting for analyzing charging and discharging processes in batteries. Surprisingly, there is also potential for art history and archaeology: non-destructive examination of objects, paintings, and artifacts enables determination of elemental composition, revelation of hidden layers, forgery detection, and dating of artworks.

Organizational Structure: Muoniverse is a large collaboration with the PSI as project leadership and the University of Zurich as co-leadership. Other partners include the Universities of Bern, Fribourg, and Geneva, ETH Zurich and EPFL, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, the Zurich University of the Arts (artists-in-labs), Empa, the Swiss National Museum, Augusta Raurica, the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), and CERN. Several high-caliber international institutes are also involved.

Investment in Young Researchers: Marc Janoschek announced the creation of three new professorships. This sustainably anchors the NCCR's interdisciplinary topics in Switzerland and creates career prospects for junior researchers.

Key Messages

• The PSI is leading a National Research Focus for the first time, signaling its rise to a leadership role in the Swiss research landscape.
• Muons enable deeper material analysis than electrons; the upgrade significantly increases beam quality and opens entirely new research fields.
• Applications range from quantum materials to battery research to non-destructive art analysis – a broad spectrum with high economic and cultural potential.
• Three new professorships secure the long-term anchoring of muon research in Switzerland.
• The project unites over 15 national and international partners and positions Switzerland as a global center of excellence.

Stakeholders & Affected Parties

Opportunities & Risks

Action Relevance

For Research Policy:

• Ensure continuous funding of the NCCR over the planned duration.
• Deepen international cooperation to reduce dependencies.
• Actively shape junior researcher support through the three new professorships.

For Industry:

• Battery research: Contact PSI to utilize muon beams for optimizing charging/discharging processes.
• Materials testing: Evaluate potential for non-destructive quality control.

For Cultural Institutions:

• Swiss National Museum and Augusta Raurica: Plan pilot projects for art analysis.
• Archaeological institutions: Consider application as project partner.

Observation Indicators:

• Number and quality of scientific publications from Muoniverse.
• Number of new industry partnerships and technology transfer projects.
• Successful recruitment and career development of the three new professors.
• International visibility and visitor numbers of researchers at PSI.

Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking

• [x] Central statements and figures verified
• [x] Unconfirmed data marked with ⚠️
• [x] Official SNF press release verified as primary source
• [x] Bias or political one-sidedness: none detected (factual presentation)

Verified Facts:

• PSI operates world's most intense muon beams: confirmed through director statements.
• First NCCR leadership by PSI: confirmed (previous involvements 2001–2020 documented).
• Partner organizations: fully listed.
• Project name "IMPACT": mentioned as ongoing upgrade.

Supplementary Research

⚠️ Note: No additional sources provided in metadata. The following aspects could be deepened through external research:

• Funding volume of the NCCR grant (not mentioned in press release).
• Comparison with international muon research centers (Japan, USA, Great Britain).
• Previous successes and publications of PSI in muon research.
• Industrial demand for muon analysis (battery research, materials testing).

Bibliography

Primary Source:
Press Release of the Swiss National Science Foundation – "Muons Receive Funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation" (January 30, 2026)
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/Y2xur7Gy3iGRLJ9q-4Kdz

Supplementary Sources:

1. Paul Scherrer Institute PSI – Center for Neutron and Muon Research (official website)
2. Swiss National Science Foundation SNF – National Centers of Competence in Research (NCCR) Program
3. ETH Domain – Institutions and Research Focuses

Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on January 30, 2026

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Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Checking: January 30, 2026