Programme Director: Filip Tuomisto

The Technology Programme is one of the major research programs of Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP). Our current focus areas are Green Computing and Computing Efficiency, Medical Imaging and Detector Technologies, Accelerator Technologies and Nuclear Safety Technologies, as well as Aca1020demic and Industrial collaborations in general.

Active since 1995, HIPTECH has been involved in a number of technology projects between CERN and Finnish industry and e.g. created a number of software prototypes and concepts. HIP TECH has also hosted post-doc researchers, Ph.D. students and M.Sc. students in topical areas ranging from detector technologies to industrial management. Current project in the Technology Programme include

Projects

  • Accelerator technology: materials (MAT)    Personnel
    One part of the MAT project in 2020 will continue the development of FEMOCS with the purpose of fully incorporating plasma simulations (Dr. Andreas Kyritsakis). The handling of neutrals and ions will be implemented in FEMOCS in order to simulate the full vacuum arc formation process, from nanotip thermal runaway to plasma onset.
  • Radiation and nuclear safety, security, and safeguards (RAD3S) Personnel
    The project investigates and develops new measurement and analysis methods, produces basic physical data, and uses computational methods to foster radiation and nuclear safety, security, and safeguards (3S).
  • Robotics and AI for monitoring and intervention (ROBOT)    Personnel
    Harsh and difficult to access environments, such as the tunnel infrastructure of LHC and Detectors assemblies (ALICE), can benefit from robots for remote access. Such access enables remote operators to tele-operate the robot for interventions, inspection and maintenance. Recent advances in deep learning for computer vision and robotics have opened up possibilities to develop intelligent machines and robots that are able to perform these tasks with very little human involvement.
  • Improved detection for elemental analysis at laboratory (IDEAL) Personnel
    X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is a non-destructive method allowing the direct characterization of the electronic structure (degrees of oxidation) and the local environment (coordination geometry) of a given element in any kind of samples (solid, liquid, gas).

Old Projects

  • X-ray spectroscopy for materials in extreme conditions (XTREME)
    X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and emission spectroscopy (XES) are non-destructive methods allowing the direct characterization of the electronic structure (degrees of oxidation) and the local environment (coordination geometry) of a given element in a sample of any kind (solid, liquid, gas).
  • Radiation Metrology for Applications (RADMED) 
    Computed tomography (CT) is a cornerstone of modern x-ray diagnostics and patient positioning in radiation therapy applications. CT imaging is a relatively high-dose modality and careful patient dose optimization is needed to ensure patient safety and, on the other hand, to warrant adequate image quality for diagnosis.
  • Radiation detection for safety, security and safeguards (RADSAFE) 
    Detector systems currently used for environmental surveillance and radiation safety often rely on rather rudimentary and simple radiation detection techniques. In most applications only one type of radiation is measured and usually in singles mode with simple one-dimensional histogram analysis.
  • Radiation safety research and development (RADAR)
    Early warning networks are essential for determining the protective measures needed to minimize health effects following a nuclear accident. The current network uses spectrometric stations to identify radionuclides based on the measured gamma ray energy spectrum.
  • Accelerator technology: module, structures and manufacturing (MSM)
    The MSM activity is conducted in close collaboration with UH and CERN. The entire work is physically conducted at either of the institutions. It focuses on hardware and manufacturing techniques development. At the same time, knowledge and skills are acquired, developed and seeded in Finland regarding high-gradient technology and high-precision manufacturing applicable to for example intense light sources or compact medical accelerators benefiting of similar high-gradient technologies for compact and more practical designs.
  • Novel gamma-ray spectroscopy for radioactive materials testing (GAMMA)  
    Securing sufficient and environmentally sustainable electricity production is one of the main challenges for the future. To this aim, fission and fusion reactors do not suffer from intermittencies observed in solar or wind resources and allow an efficient and flexible basis for the highly demanding electricity network, especially around big cities and industries.
  • Materials for big science installations (BIGS)  
    The development and characterization of new materials for extreme environments is at the core of technological needs of big science. Large installations where the structural materials face physical and chemical environments that are extremely hostile – such as large particle accelerators, fusion experiment devices, or nuclear power plants – are either already facing or rapidly approaching the stage where ageing becomes a serious issue.
  • Finnish Business Incubation Center of CERN Technologies (BIC)
    CERN has established an international CERN Business Incubation Network, which consists of Business Incubation Centers in many member states. The purpose of the network is enlarge and further improve commercialization, and therefore, social utilization, of CERN-related technologies in member states.
  • Novel Instrumentation for Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards (NINS3) (Archived web site)