Executive Summary

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI awards two Founder Fellowships to researchers Mohsen Sadr and Mohammadhossein Montazerian for innovative technologies in the field of fusion energy and energy storage. The winners each receive up to 150,000 CHF in funding as well as comprehensive coaching for further developing their business ideas. The program aims to develop promising PSI technologies through to possible spin-off creation.

People

Topics

  • Artificial intelligence and simulation technology
  • Fusion energy and space technology
  • Solid-state lithium-ion batteries
  • Technology transfer and spin-off creation
  • Biomedical implants and IoT devices

Clarus Lead

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is supporting two forward-looking technology projects with 150,000 CHF each and intensive coaching. Mohsen Sadr is developing an AI-powered platform to accelerate simulations for fusion energy and space travel, while Mohammadhossein Montazerian is advancing novel thin-film solid-state batteries for compact energy storage. Both projects address critical bottlenecks in their respective industries and are expected to lead to spin-off creation by the end of 2026.

Detailed Summary

AI-Accelerated Simulations for Fusion Energy and Space Travel

Mohsen Sadr's project aims to develop an AI-based tool that dramatically accelerates and reduces the cost of physical simulations for complex technology areas. The technology leverages decades of scientific expertise at PSI and makes it specifically applicable for industrial use. Particularly in the field of fusion energy, where development processes today require years of simulation and testing cycles, the solution promises significant time savings. By reducing bottlenecks in design and simulation processes, new concepts can be evaluated and optimized more quickly – a decisive factor for the further development of fusion energy as a long-term available energy source as well as for demanding space applications.

High-Performance Microbatteries for Medical Technology

Mohammadhossein Montazerian is focusing on developing a new generation of thin-film solid-state lithium-ion batteries with a fully oxide-based architecture. These batteries enable over 5,000 charge cycles with ultrafast charging and offer significantly increased safety through the elimination of metallic lithium. The compact, integrable structures are ideal for biomedical implants, wearables, Internet-of-Things devices, and micro-drones – application areas with growing demand for reliable micro-energy storage.

Program and Timeline

PSI Founder Fellows are selected by a jury of representatives from industry, research, and venture capital. Both winners will systematically develop their technologies from the first quarter of 2026 over a period of twelve to eighteen months, conduct market validations, and develop initial business plans. The goal is to attract additional investors and create the foundation for possible spin-off creation by the end of 2026. The program, which has existed since 2017 and is supported by UBS, has already produced seven successful spin-offs, including Araris Biotech AG with a market valuation of over 1 billion US dollars.

Key Statements

  • Two PSI researchers each receive 150,000 CHF in funding plus comprehensive coaching for technology transfer
  • AI platform significantly accelerates simulations for fusion energy and space travel
  • New solid-state batteries enable over 5,000 charge cycles for medical technology and IoT applications
  • Systematic further development over 12–18 months with the goal of spin-off creation by the end of 2026
  • PSI Founder Fellowship has already produced seven successful spin-offs

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What concrete benchmarks demonstrate the claimed acceleration of AI simulations compared to previous methods, and what test data are these claims based on?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: To what extent does UBS as a program sponsor influence project selection, and are there mechanisms in place to prevent conflicts of interest in jury evaluation?

  3. Market Validation: Which specific industry partners have already expressed interest in the two technologies, and how is market demand validated outside of basic research?

  4. Causality/Alternatives: Are the identified bottlenecks (simulation duration, battery lifespan) actually the main obstacles to market breakthrough, or do alternative solution approaches exist with better chances of success?

  5. Feasibility/Risks: What technical or regulatory risks could endanger commercialization by the end of 2026, particularly for solid-state batteries with new chemistry?

  6. Scalability: How realistic is the scaling of thin-film battery production from laboratory to industrial scale within the planned timeframe?

References

Primary Source: PSI Founder Fellowship for AI Platform and Solid-State Batteries – Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, February 12, 2026

Verification Status: ✓ February 12, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: February 12, 2026