Science : From Lab to Industry!

Why do power lines buzz? What happens when insulation fails? And how does a lightning strike turn a switchgear’s worst nightmare into reality? This talk dives into the role of dielectrics in power systems using real-world examples. We will uncover the science behind corona discharge, insulation breakdowns, and demonstrate how ABB Research Center is working on innovative solutions to prevent failures. "Why do power lines buzz? What happens when insulation fails? And how does a lightning strike turn a switchgear’s worst nightmare into reality? This talk dives into the role of dielectrics in power systems using real-world examples. We will uncover the science behind corona discharge, insulation breakdowns, and demonstrate how ABB Research Center is working on innovative solutions to prevent failures. ⚡

After buying your new expensive phone or car, you expect it to work flawlessly every time. But imagine if it were your responsibility to ensure that all the thousands of microscopic parts in your phone function correctly, or it lithium battery doesn't ignite or explode, even when the phone is in the hands of the least careful person. How would you do it? Welcome to the world of reliability engineering! This presentation will take you on a fun and informative journey through the basics of reliability engineering, showing how it keeps everything around us, from smartphones to the power grid, working safe and sound. We'll explore the fascinating history of this field and uncover some surprising stories, including times when Nobel Prize-winning scientists made crucial contributions. Join us for an engaging session filled with insights, laughs, and a deeper appreciation for the science that keeps our world running smoothly. It's not a path of scientific discovery where people shout "Eureka," but a necessary journey to scientifically understand why gadgets sometimes go "Kaboom!"

Microscopes let us see the micro-world. But what if we could feel it, too?
As scientists, the microscope is one of our most essential tools — it allows us to observe the intricate microstructures that shape the world around us. But what if we could feel the material we’re analyzing, not just see it?
By pressing a sharp probe into a material and measuring its force response, we can determine how hard or soft it is. And it doesn’t stop there — virtually all mechanical properties can be quantitatively assessed locally, at the nanoscale.We call it nanoindentation — where imaging meets mechanics, and the microscope gains a sense of touch.