GSPRE Symposium 2026
The Graduate School of Precision Engineering (GSPRE) at the University of Bern is pleased to announce its Second Symposium, taking place on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 14:00 to 18:00 at the ExWi Building, University of Bern. Held under the theme “Engineering Accuracy Across Scales,” the symposium will bring together researchers, industry partners, and students to explore current advances and future directions in precision engineering within a collaborative and interdisciplinary setting. The program highlights include: - A keynote on large-scale engineering by Prof. Dr. Audrey Vorburger, Space Research & Planetary Sciences, University of Bern - A talk on medium-scale engineering by Dr. Daniel Rosenfeld, Melexis - A presentation on small-scale engineering by Dr. Renato Pero and Dr. Nicholas Randall, Alemnis Nanoindentation The talks are followed by a poster session and networking apéro We look forward to welcoming you.
Information
| Organized by | University of Bern, Graduate School of Precision Engineering |
|---|---|
| Date | Friday, June 26, 2026 |
| Time | 14-18 |
| Location | ExWi Building University of Bern Sidlerstrasse 5 3012 Bern |
| Registration | Registration will open soon. For further information, contact info.gspre@unibe.ch |
| Characteristics | open to registered participants, free of charge |
Registration
Registration will open soon. Please contact info.gspre@unibe.ch for further information.
Speakers
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Burger
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Burger holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Erlangen. After positions at CSEM, Roche, and Johnson & Johnson, he was appointed titular professor at the University of Bern in 2014. He leads the Graduate School and the Master's program in Precision Engineering and focuses his research on smart implants and translational systems at the interface of medical and precision engineering.
Precision Engineering Across Scales: Large Scale
Prof. Dr. Audrey Vorburger
Prof. Dr. Audrey Vorburger is an assistant professor of planetary science at the University of Bern. She holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Bern and previously studied electrical engineering at ETH Zurich. Her research focuses on planetary atmospheres, icy moons, and the search for life beyond Earth, combining numerical simulations with space instrumentation such as mass spectrometers. She is involved in several international space missions, including ESA’s JUICE mission, where she serves as lead scientist for a mass spectrometer instrument.
Talk overview
Engineering for Extremes: Designing a Mass Spectrometer System for NASA's Uranus Orbiter and Probe flagship mission
The Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission has been identified as NASA’s next flagship mission, aiming to investigate the
origin, structure, and atmospheric composition of an ice giant. A key element of the mission is an atmospheric probe equipped
with a mass spectrometer system capable of measuring trace species and isotope ratios under extreme conditions.
This keynote presents the engineering approach behind the Uranus Probe Mass Spectrometer System (UP-MSS), focusing on how
scientific objectives and mission constraints drive system design. Starting from the science requirements—such as measuring
trace gases at mixing ratios down to 10⁻¹⁰ and operating across pressures from 10⁻⁷ mbar to 20 bar—we show how these
translate into demanding system-level requirements.
The talk highlights the resulting architecture, including the integration of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer with
dedicated subsystems for gas handling, separation and enrichment, and in-flight calibration. Special emphasis is placed on
enabling technologies that bridge the gap between scientific ambition and instrument capability.
Finally, we discuss selected precision engineering challenges, including ion optics design, gas flow control, and ultra-low-
leakage valve systems, illustrating how large-scale engineering solutions emerge from tightly coupled science and system
constraints.
Precision Engineering Across Scales: Medium Scale
Dr. Daniel Rosenfeld, Melexis
Dr. Daniel Rosenfeld holds a PhD in semiconductor physics from EPFL. He is Open Innovation Manager at Melexis, where he develops strategic collaborations with universities and industry partners and drives innovation initiatives in sensor technologies, including applications in electric vehicles and battery systems. He brings extensive experience in microelectronics, magnetic sensors, and the industrialisation of integrated circuits, bridging research and large-scale production across multiple high-tech sectors.
Precision Engineering Across Scales: Small Scale
Dr. Renato Pero / Dr. Nicholas Randall: Alemnis
Nicholas Randall is Vice President Business Development at Alemnis AG in Thun, Switzerland. He has extensive experience in nanoindentation and in situ mechanical testing, with a strong focus on industrial applications. In addition to his role in industry, he is actively involved in education and knowledge transfer, lecturing on nanoindentation and tribology at institutions including EPFL, MIT, and the FSRM Swiss Foundation for Research in Microtechnology. He holds a PhD in nanotribology/nanoindentation from the University of Neuchâtel. Renato Pero is Head of Customer Success at Alemnis AG and a materials engineer with a PhD in Industrial Engineering. His work focuses on advanced mechanical characterisation of materials across scales, with particular expertise in nanoindentation, micropillar compression, and in situ testing techniques. He has extensive experience analysing metallic alloys, nanostructured and composite materials, and complex interfaces. Renato is also active in teaching and scientific dissemination, with publications in international journals and contributions to conferences and applied research.
Talk overview
Engineering for Extremes: Designing a Mass Spectrometer System for NASA's Uranus Orbiter and Probe flagship mission
The Uranus Orbiter and Probe mission has been identified as NASA’s next flagship mission, aiming to investigate the
origin, structure, and atmospheric composition of an ice giant. A key element of the mission is an atmospheric probe equipped
with a mass spectrometer system capable of measuring trace species and isotope ratios under extreme conditions.
This keynote presents the engineering approach behind the Uranus Probe Mass Spectrometer System (UP-MSS), focusing on how
scientific objectives and mission constraints drive system design. Starting from the science requirements—such as measuring
trace gases at mixing ratios down to 10⁻¹⁰ and operating across pressures from 10⁻⁷ mbar to 20 bar—we show how these
translate into demanding system-level requirements.
The talk highlights the resulting architecture, including the integration of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer with
dedicated subsystems for gas handling, separation and enrichment, and in-flight calibration. Special emphasis is placed on
enabling technologies that bridge the gap between scientific ambition and instrument capability.
Finally, we discuss selected precision engineering challenges, including ion optics design, gas flow control, and ultra-low-
leakage valve systems, illustrating how large-scale engineering solutions emerge from tightly coupled science and system
constraints.