Panel discussion at the opening of the VISTA Science Experience Center
3. – 5. October 2025
Building for Quantum: Film Screening
In collaboration with the Civa Festival Vienna, VISTA presented an exciting discussion about the world of quantum computing. After decades of theory and experimentation, this technology is nearing realisation and promises applications in areas such as healthcare, electronics and finance. The panel began with a screening of Building for Quantum (2025), a film by Marina Otero and Manuel Correa that documents the construction of Spain’s first quantum computing facility. The documentary explores both the physical and philosophical aspects of quantum architecture and reflects on the visions and challenges of this technology.
Welcome to the Quantum World: Panel Discussion
The film was followed by a discussion moderated by curator Ana Prendes, with contributions from Georgios Katsaros, Florian Aigner, Marina Otero and Manuel Correa. The discussion focused on the far-reaching implications of quantum computing, the challenges it poses, and the role of artistic and critical practices in capturing this new technological dimension.
Open Campus Day 2022 at ISTA
Fire & Ice Experimente Show – für Kinder und Erwachsene
On June 25, the Open Campus took place on the ISTA campus within the 100 Jahre Niederösterreich celebration. Around 1,800 visitors came and enjoyed their time together. The Science Slamers entertained us with flash talks and Daniel Jirovec from the Katsaros group contributed an essential part to the Fire & Ice Experiment Show. The crews of the PCF, the LSF, and the members of the Freunberger, Pietrzak, Kicheva, Lemeshko, Hof, Sixt, and Wojtan groups presented their work to our visitors in the science exhibition. Finally, our tour hosts and guides showed approximately 300 visitors around the campus, to the Sixt, Hippenmeyer, Novarino, Palacci, and Goodrich labs; to PCF, OIF, IT, NMR, EMF, LSF, and to other highlights of the institute.
Open Campus Day was a big success on ISTA’s social media channels, too. To present our Open Campus Day online, we posted 46 stories on Instagram on the day itself with a total of 19,143 views. If you take into account the previous posts promoting the Open Campus, it’s even over 21,000 views. We also gained 64 new followers on ISTA’s Instagram page only that day. In addition, the influencers Martin Moder from the Science Busters (69.1 k followers) and Liliana Klein (53.3 k followers) reported on their pages.
“SUPERGSCHEIT!”: How hot is the cold?
A mini series featuring spectacular experiments
Welcome to the science show with super clever questions! Observe with us everyday phenomena, understand their importance for cutting-edge research, and watch us trying out crazy experiments.
Have fun watching our three-part show with the “Wow”!
In the third episode, Bernhard Weingartner goes after another smart question: How hot is the cold?
Quantum computers love the cold. This is why in the laboratory of IST Austria physicist Andrea Hofmann, the temperature is as low as -273 °C. This is colder than in space! Find out why, in this episode of Supergscheit!
Participant: Andrea Hofmann
IST AUSTRIA POP-UP SCIENCE: Frozen
Science instead of boredom –
an online program for kids
Watch the Pop-up Science Interviews to find out how professional scientists in a research institute go about their work.
What does a quantum computer actually look like? And why should you worry about your electricity bill if you plan to have one at home? IST Austria quantum physicist Daniel Jirovec has the answers. He also reveals whether the extreme cold around a quantum computer is dangerous.
participant: Daniel Jirovec
VISIT OF INFLUENCERS AT IST AUSTRIA 2019
IST Austria on Twitter, Instagram & Co.
On a nice October day a group of social influncers were invited to the institute to present the work and research fields of IST Austria.
The goal was to reach also the younger people and make the institute more known also among a non-scientific community. In the course of this visit Georgios Katsaros gave a talk about his field of work and a guided tour of his laboratory and the clean room.
participant: Georgios Katsaros
TOP MODELS IN SCIENCE 2019
Talent Summer Klosterneuburg
For one week, teenagers learned about scientific models and technical innovations under the theme “Science also needs models.” The teenagers also got a chance to experiment and build their own models. The camp took place as part of the “Talent Summer in Klosterneuburg” in cooperation with the Lower Austrian Talent Forge and the Institute for the Promotion of Young IT Talent (IFIT).
At the science camp for teenagers Matthias Brauns, postdoc of the Katsaros research group, gave a presentation on quantum computing.
Participants: Matthias Brauns
OPEN CAMPUS DAY 2019
A science party for the whole family
At the hands-on science exhibition of the IST Austria Open Campus festival the Katsaros Group demonstrated the Meissner-Ochsenfeld effect.
And made delicious ice cream with liquid nitrogen for the guests and visitors with a sweet tooth.
Participants: Georgios Katsaros (group leader), Andrea Hofmann, Matthias Brauns, Daniel Jirovec, Kushagra Aggarwal, Luka Drmic, Josip Kukucka,….
TOP MODELS IN SCIENCE 2018
Talent Summer Klosterneu-burg
For one week, 23 teenagers learned about scientific models and technical innovations under the theme “Science also needs models.” The teenagers also got a chance to experiment and build their own models. The camp took place as part of the “Talent Summer in Klosterneuburg” in cooperation with the Lower Austrian Talent Forge and the Institute for the Promotion of Young IT Talent (IFIT).
At the science camp for teenagers Georgios Katsaros gave a chalk talk about quantum computers and qubits and made some experiments with the teenagers.
Participants: Georgios Katsaros
OPENING OF LAB & OFFICE BUILDING WEST 2015
“IST Austria is the flagship in our growing fleet of scientific institu-tions.”
Governor of Lower Austria Erwin Pröll
The Katsaros research group – one of the first groups that moved into the new lab building – gave politicians and celebrities a short tour to its lab.
IST Austria achieved another significant milestone according to plan of the development of the Institute at the ceremonial opening of “Lab and Office Building West” which will house up to 30 additional research groups on roughly 10’000 sqm. Vice Chancellor and Minister of Science, Research and Economy Reinhold Mitterlehner as well as Governor of Lower Austria Erwin Pröll used this joyful occasion to express their continued support for the further development and the independence of the Institute of Science and Technology (IST Austria) in Klosterneuburg.
Attendees: Georgios Katsaros, Alisha Truhlar, Elisabeth Lausecker
nanoelectronics group 
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