Operando Day

Wednesday 30 Sept 2026, 08:30 → 17:00 Europe/Zurich

Auditorium West (Paul Scherrer Institut)

Operando Day

Welcome to the PSI Operando Day webpage!

"Operando" refers to the characterization of functional materials under reaction conditions, with simultaneous measurement of their performance. PSI has many groups at the forefront of using and developing operando methods in various fields of chemistry. This is evident in the Center for Operando Spectroscopy Studies (COSS).

We cordially invite you to the third annual PSI Operando Day. 

We are pleased to welcome a renowned speaker: Prof. Andrew Beale from the University College London. PhD students and postdoctoral fellows from various groups will also present their state-of-the-art research using operando methods, offering a glimpse into the diverse activities at PSI.

In addition to the talks, we will be hosting a poster session where participants can present their research and engage in discussions with other attendees. This session will provide an excellent opportunity for networking as well as exchanging ideas in a more interactive setting, and the best poster wins a prize.

Join us as we explore the pivotal role of operando research in shaping the future of energy materials and unraveling environmental phenomena. We look forward to your participation in this exciting exchange of ideas!

Please register by September 18, 2026, to ensure we have enough coffee and lunch for everyone.

Abstract - Prof. Dr. Andrew Beale - Operando Day.pdf

08:30 Pick up badge, hang up posters

Welcome Remarks

Convener: Maarten Nachtegaal (PSI - Paul Scherrer Institut)

Oral presentation: Dr. Anand Kumar - 'Employing Photoelectron Spectroscopy to Understand Atmospherically Relevant Nitrate Systems'

Oral presentations

Convener: Anand Kumar

Oral presentation: Cheshta Chopra - 'Tracking Nickel and Cobalt Redox Dynamics under Operando OER Conditions by Time-Resolved X-ray Spectroscopy'

Oral presentations

Convener: Cheshta Chopra

10:10 Coffee / tea

Poster presentations

Keynote presentation: Prof. Andrew Beale - 'Operando Approaches for Catalysing the Transition to Net Zero'

Abstract - Prof. Dr. Andrew Beale - Operando Day.pdf

Andrew Beale, University College London

Oral presentation: Leon Skarjan - 'High-Sensitivity Isotope-Enhanced Imaging of Lithium Batteries by Neutron Capture Methodology'

Oral presentations

Convener: Leon Skarjan

12:15 Lunch

Poster presentations

Oral presentation: Dr. Anna Liutkova - 'Following Host-Guest Dynamics in Cu-Modified UiO-66 Metal-Organic Framework Catalysts During CO2 Hydrogenation'

Oral presentations

Convener: Anna Liutkova (PSI - Paul Scherrer Institut)

Oral presentation: Tim Welmers - 'Illuminating the Pt-electrolyte Interface During the ORR Using Operando FTIR'

Oral presentations

Convener: Tim Welmers (PSI - Paul Scherrer Institut)

14:45 Coffee / tea

Poster presentations

Oral presentation: Dr. Matteo Vanni - 'Enhanced Alkene Productivity in Methanol-to-Hydrocarbons Conversion Using a Secondary Catalyst Component and Hydrogen Co-feeds'

Oral presentations

Convener: Matteo Vanni (Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI))

Oral presentation: Yu-Hsiang Chiang - 'Unveiling Cathode Complexities via Operando X-ray Diffraction: Insights into Phase Mosaicity and Pre-intercalation Ion Dynamics'

Oral presentations

Convener: Yu-Hsiang Chiang

Closing remarks: Including best poster announcement

Convener: Davide Ferri (PSI - Paul Scherrer Institut)