Extending time-dependent density-functional theory to study magnetic excitations in transition-metal compounds

The theoretical description of spin excitations that occur when atoms in a solid are perturbed by an external magnetic field remains a challenge for computational materials science. A new article in npj Computational Materials by MARVEL members Luca Binci, Iurii Timrov and Nicola Marzari introduces a new method to calculate magnetic excitations in transition-metal oxides fully ab initio, without relying on simplified mathematical models, or without making arbitrary empirical assumption. The method combines DFT with Hubbard functionals (DFT+U) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT), and was validated on manganese oxide and nickel oxide, two prototypical transition-metal oxides. In the future it can be used to study exotic magnetic materials. 

MARVEL Junior Seminar — May 2025

The MARVEL Junior Seminars aim to intensify interactions between the MARVEL Junior scientists belonging to different research groups – this is held in hybrid mode, in order to maintain in-person contacts and allow off-campus attendees to follow the seminars remotely! We are pleased to propose the 66th MARVEL Junior Seminar:  Anna Paulish (Mathematics for materials modeling - MATMAT, EPFL) and Alessandro Carbone (Lab. of theory and simulation of materials - THEOS, EPFL) will present their research. 

Webinar: 5 career building programs for female scientists

This is a kind invitation to join a webinar on May 15, which offers a quick overview over the focus of five career building programs for female scientists in Swiss universities: CONNECT, feminno, FLP - Foster. Lead. Promote, REGARD, and Réseau romand de mentoring pour femmes. Training, mentoring and coaching in different institutions and for various profiles of female researchers.

Equal opportunity activities for girls and boys in fall 2025

MARVEL and EPFL's Science Outreach Department are pleased to announce equal opportunity initiatives targeting girls and boys for coming fall. Registration for the science workshop Diamants, alu, caoutchouc, ils sont fous ces matériaux (girls 7-10 years old), for the Maths en jeu workshops (girls and boys 8-15 years old), and for the Coding club des filles (girls 11-15 years old) in the French part of Switzerland will open on 15 May at 10am. Don't miss the opportunity as these activities fill up quickly!

2025 Summer camp for high-school students

The 1-week camp entitled Des atomes aux ordinateurs, à la découverte de la programmation scientifique is open to teenagers in the last two years of high-school, with no high-level in maths or physics prerequisite. A prior knowledge of the basics of programming is recommended. It is possible to acquire these notions independently if necessary (within 3-4 hours). Half of the seats are reserved for young women. In 2025, it will take place from 23 to 27 June at EPFL. Registrations are open from 3 March until 13 April.

Webinar: 5 career building programs for female scientists

This is a kind invitation to join a webinar on May 15, which offers a quick overview over the focus of five career building programs for female scientists in Swiss universities: CONNECT, feminno, FLP - Foster. Lead. Promote, REGARD, and Réseau romand de mentoring pour femmes. Training, mentoring and coaching in different institutions and for various profiles of female researchers.

2025 Summer camp for high-school students

The 1-week camp entitled Des atomes aux ordinateurs, à la découverte de la programmation scientifique is open to teenagers in the last two years of high-school, with no high-level in maths or physics prerequisite. A prior knowledge of the basics of programming is recommended. It is possible to acquire these notions independently if necessary (within 3-4 hours). Half of the seats are reserved for young women. In 2025, it will take place from 23 to 27 June at EPFL. Registrations are open from 3 March until 13 April.

Psi-k 2025 conference

Psi-k 2025 is the 7th general conference for the worldwide Psi-k community. Held every 5 years, this event is the largest worldwide in first-principles simulations. With more than 1200 participants attending the last edition, the conference is returning to Lausanne this year.  It promises to be the most exciting, defining event in the field, offering a stimulating and enjoyable atmosphere, in addition to a chance to explore the beautiful region around Lausanne and Lake Geneva.  

Psi-k 2025 conference

Psi-k 2025 is the 7th general conference for the worldwide Psi-k community. Held every 5 years, this event is the largest worldwide in first-principles simulations. With more than 1200 participants attending the last edition, the conference is returning to Lausanne this year.  It promises to be the most exciting, defining event in the field, offering a stimulating and enjoyable atmosphere, in addition to a chance to explore the beautiful region around Lausanne and Lake Geneva.