David Silvermyr – Exploring the most extreme states of matter
David Silvermyr investigates the earliest conditions of the universe through the study of Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) – a state of matter created when heavy atomic nuclei collide at extremely high energies in the ALICE experiment at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. In this state, matter becomes so hot and dense that quarks and gluons are liberated from protons and neutrons, offering insights into the first microsecond after the Big Bang.
Silvermyr’s work has contributed to world records in physics, including the highest temperature, highest density, and lowest viscosity ever measured. He has also developed advanced detectors and electronics for particle tracking, with potential applications in both research and medicine.
After earning his PhD in Lund, he worked at leading research institutions in the United States and Switzerland before returning to Lund in 2014. He was appointed docent in 2017 and professor in 2025.
David Silvermyr´s profile in the Lund University research portal.
Rainer Timm – Surfaces that shape future technologies
Rainer Timm’s research focuses on understanding and improving surfaces and interfaces in electronic and optical components at the atomic level. As devices become increasingly miniaturised – sometimes just a few atomic layers thick – every atom counts. Timm uses advanced spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, both in Lund and at synchrotron facilities such as MAX IV, to study how surfaces evolve under electrical operation and how they can be functionalised for new technologies.
His work contributes to the development of components for solar cells, transistors, and energy-efficient AI systems. Through collaborations with materials scientists and engineers, he helps create innovative technologies by exploring the fundamental properties of nanoscale structures.
Originally from Kiel, Germany, Timm earned his PhD in Berlin before joining Lund as a postdoctoral researcher in 2009. He has led the Division of Synchrotron Radiation Physics since 2021 and was promoted to professor in June 2024.
Rainer Timm´s profile in the Lund University research portal.
Professorial installation on 24 October
David Silvermyr and Rainer Timm will be formally installed as professors during a ceremonial event at Lund University on Friday 24 October. The ceremony, held in the University Auditorium, will feature musical performances, speeches from student representatives and professors, and a popular science lecture. The event is open to the public and no registration is required.
Read more about the 2025 inauguration ceremony for new professors at Lund University.