Impact Assessment: Standardised Station for High-energy Heavy Ion Radiation on Electronics

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung used UCI funding to develop a standardised station for testing the resilience of electronics against high-energy heavy ion radiation—a capability that is critical for space applications. Heavy ion radiation is a major component of cosmic rays, which can damage or disrupt electronic systems in satellites and spacecraft. GSI is one of only two European facilities able to simulate cosmic radiation conditions with sufficient energy, but its previous setup required custom engineering for each user, limiting industrial access.

The UCI-funded upgrades created a plug-and-play testing environment, reducing preparation times by 3–4 workdays per experiment and increasing beam-time efficiency by an estimated 10–15%.

The new capability was validated in pilot runs with companies from the US, UK, and Germany, successfully irradiating commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics without destructive preparation. COTS components are mass-produced standard electronics widely used by industry; being able to test them directly makes GSI one of the first facilities worldwide to offer deep-penetration irradiation on fully assembled boards. This significantly reduces both technical risk and financial barriers for industry.

The station expands Europe’s capacity for radiation-hardness testing, which refers to evaluating how resistant electronics are to radiation effects. This development supports SMEs and space startups that previously relied on scarce facilities abroad (e.g., NASA or CERN). By enhancing accessibility, GSI strengthens European competitiveness and strategic autonomy in the space sector while enabling faster and more cost-efficient innovation cycles.

The project also fostered a cultural shift at GSI toward greater commercial engagement, improving staff understanding of industrial workflows and building pathways for two-way knowledge exchange. With demand for satellite and space electronics testing steadily growing, the UCI-funded station establishes GSI as a key European infrastructure hub, directly linking scientific excellence with industrial needs.

You can find the report and infographic to download below:

• Case-specific report (PDF)
• Case-specific infographic (PDF)
• Link to the corresponding Hi-Acts website page under “Success Stories”