LS INSTRUMENTS AG

Their core work

LS Instruments AG is a Swiss scientific instrument manufacturer specializing in light scattering technology for characterizing soft matter systems — colloidal suspensions, polymer solutions, and complex fluids. They design and build precision laboratory instruments used by research institutes and industrial R&D groups to measure particle size distributions, diffusion dynamics, and viscoelastic properties through non-invasive optical methods. Their instruments, including dynamic light scattering (DLS) and diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) systems, are applied across materials science, pharmaceuticals, food science, and polymer research. In H2020, they contributed as a technology and instrumentation partner — first to a nanocomposite manufacturing project, then as a funded participant in the pan-European soft matter research infrastructure EUSMI.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their first H2020 project (CO-PILOT, 2015-2017), LSI entered the EU research space through applied manufacturing — specifically nanocomposite fabrication — with no formally recorded scientific keywords, suggesting an equipment or measurement support role rather than a conceptual lead. By 2017, with EUSMI, the focus shifted explicitly to soft matter science infrastructure: scattering, spectroscopy, imaging, and rheology became the defining terms. The trajectory is clear: from a peripheral characterization supplier in an industrial project to a recognized infrastructure-level participant embedded in the European soft matter research ecosystem.

LSI is moving from product vendor to embedded infrastructure partner — future collaborations will likely involve instrument access, shared measurement facilities, or methodology standardization roles within EU research networks.

How they like to work

LSI participates exclusively as a consortium member, never as coordinator — a pattern consistent with a specialist SME that contributes instruments and measurement expertise rather than leading scientific programs. Their 35 unique partners across 13 countries from just two projects points to large, multi-institution consortia (EUSMI alone was a pan-European network), not bilateral partnerships. This means working with LSI likely means engaging them for specific measurement capabilities within a broader project structure, with relatively low administrative overhead from their side.

Despite only two H2020 participations, LSI has connected with 35 unique partners across 13 countries — a disproportionately wide network for a two-project SME, driven by EUSMI's large pan-European consortium structure. Their network is scientifically dense rather than geographically concentrated, reflecting the cross-border nature of soft matter research communities.

What sets them apart

LS Instruments is one of very few commercial instrument manufacturers in Europe that has embedded itself directly within the EU research infrastructure ecosystem for soft matter science — a credibility position that most instrument vendors never reach. Unlike large instrument conglomerates, LSI is a focused SME whose products are tailored to specific soft matter measurement challenges, meaning consortium partners get direct access to the people who actually designed the instruments. Their dual track record — industrial nanocomposites and academic infrastructure — makes them a rare bridge between manufacturing R&D needs and fundamental research environments.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EUSMI
  As a funded participant (EUR 203,750) in this pan-European soft matter infrastructure initiative, LSI secured formal recognition as a European-level instrumentation provider, connecting with 35+ partners across 13 countries.
• CO-PILOT
  An early industrial engagement placing LSI at the intersection of nanoparticle manufacturing and precision process control, establishing their cross-sector relevance before their soft matter infrastructure role solidified.