Inside the Nanoworld – Current Research at the Nanoscience Center
NSC Explain this!
NSC Explain this! is a monthly event where NSC groups can explain a small open research problem to other NSC groups to solve. The event is held at 2 pm mainly on the first Wednesday of each month in the NSC coffee room (2nd floor). In the event, you will explain the problem in 5 to 10 minutes, after which others can ask questions and try to help you solve the problem or you'll debate about your chosen topic. Coffee and cake are served with the problem. Each NCS group has the opportunity to request help.
Choose the problem to be presented at least one week before your turn, and inform it to Satu Kosonen. In addition, choose a person from your group to present the problem. Students or postdocs are preferred to group leaders. The problem should not be a big open scientific problem, but a small problem that has to be solved for one reason or another.
The goal of Explain this is to help you identify potential collaborators within the Nanoscience Center who could join you in developing new projects or help you solve a challenge you have encountered in your research.
Instructions
You do not need to describe your area of expertise in great detail, just provide enough background for everyone to understand the problem clearly. Your presentation should be accessible to all NSC disciplines: BIO, PHYS, and CHEM. Your talk should last no longer than 5–10 minutes. Slides are not allowed. You may use only the whiteboard and markers to explain your problem.
You can choose one of the two following formats:
Format 1
The Idea Lab
You have 5–10 minutes to present a research problem you have encountered—or a challenge you would like to tackle in the future—using simple, accessible language. After your presentation, the audience will have 5–10 minutes to discuss the problem among themselves and consider whether their own expertise could help. When the discussion time ends, they will share their suggestions, and an open conversation will begin.
Format 2
Battle Of Ideas
You have 5–10 minutes to present a provocative idea designed to spark debate. (Friendly warning: this format must not be used to attack anyone’s research: only concepts may be debated. No cake for you if you break this rule!)
After your statement, the audience will choose a side:
I agree → left side of the coffee room
I disagree → right side of the coffee room
Each side will then have 5 minutes to discuss and prepare their arguments before presenting and defending their position.
Here’s the preliminary schedule for this Spring:
11.3.2026
1.4.2026
6.5.2026
3.6.2026
