On 23 May 2012, the Liechtenstein Parliament approves accession to the agreement on RhySearch. The Research and Innovation Centre Rheintal. The Cantonal Council St.Gallen (SG) approves the government resolution of 17 April 2012 on accession to the agreement on 25 September 2012 with 114 votes in favour, 0 against and zero abstentions.

In the subsequent referendum in the canton of SG, 77% of the population voted in favour of accession. No referendum is required in the Principality of Liechtenstein. The founding of RhySearch is decided.

RhySearch is founded on 1 April 2023 to support the regional industry. In May 2013, a support association is formed from the regional business associations (today's Industry Advisory Board).

The first cooperation agreements were concluded with Empa, the University of Liechtenstein and NTB (today OST-Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences). The year was primarily dedicated to building up the network of industrial contacts. RhySearch's focus for applied research and development is on optical coatings and the incorporation of study results, as well as the exchange of views with industry representatives. The first CTI research project (Laser Induced Damage Threshold LIDT - development of a new type of measuring station for analyzing coatings) is initiated with the participation of 15 partners from research and industry. This significant consortium project marks the beginning of the establishment of the Optical Coating and Characterization Lab.

In the Optical Coating division, the first equipment is purchased - the LIDT measuring station is officially inaugurated and initially allows measurements at a wavelength of 1064 nm. An investment in a Dual Beam Sputtering (DIBS) coating system (acquisition value CHF 1.3 million) is prepared and the purchase of a Cavity Ring Down (CRD) measuring station is decided. The future direction of the Precision Manufacturing Division is worked out in a kick-off meeting with top-class experts. The small team of 5 people works on 8 research projects: three CTI projects, one innovation check from the government of Liechtenstein, four direct orders. The new website is launched. In September, inspire AG signs the cooperation agreement as the fifth partner. The first symposium OCLA (Symposium on Optical Coatings for Laser Applications) is held in Buchs in collaboration with NTB (now OST), Swissphotonics and EOS European Optical Society.

Investments in the technical infrastructure are necessary for the further development of research expertise; an investment application for the years 2017-2020 (CHF 11.09 million) will be submitted to the funding bodies. LIDT measurements are now possible with femtosecond pulses. The Precision Manufacturing lab is developing a concept for model production with the support of the cooperation partners. External experts in ultra-precision manufacturing are involved in developing the concept and preparing the infrastructure procurement.

In February, the Swiss CTI (now Innosuisse) grants RhySearch funding authorization and thus the right to submit applications for financial support as a recognized research institute. The parliaments of the sponsors approve the investment application (2017-2020) without any "no" votes and are thus clearly committed to the further expansion of RhySearch.

The DIBS coating system can be set up in the NTB clean room. The entire process chain, from cleaning the substrates to coating and thermal treatment under cleanroom conditions, can now be carried out. The ultra-precision lathe is the first production device in the field of precision manufacturing to move in.

Various projects related to digitization were initiated, e.g. RhySearch participated in a study on the state of digitization in manufacturing companies in Eastern Switzerland and Liechtenstein. As part of his doctorate sponsored by the Hilti Family Foundation, a research assistant investigates the potential offered by increasing digitalization in the construction industry.

The key to the newly equipped air-conditioned laboratory for ultra- and high-precision can be handed over to the team during the 5-year RhySearch celebration. The staff has grown to 15 people by the end of 2018. Commissioning of the ultra-precision lathe with integration of a contactless sensor (measurement of workpieces on the machine). In April, RhySearch received funding from Innosuisse for an innovation project without other partners. This means that the project idea must meet more stringent requirements in order to be financed. These were met with the idea of developing easy-to-clean coatings with hydrophobic properties for optical components. With the LIDT and CRD measuring stations, the Optical Coating Division can offer standard-compliant testing according to ISO 21254 and ISO 13145.

The RhySearch team is working on a total of 18 projects with 17 industrial and 5 research partners. Extensive evaluations are carried out for the expansion of the infrastructure in order to utilize the special investment credit. RhySearch takes part in the Swiss Innovation Forum for the first time.

The Optical Coating division is able to initiate follow-up projects to those already completed. Its expertise now encompasses a range of services that is unique in Switzerland: substrate preparation and cleaning, development of dielectric materials with innovative optical properties, quality control with high-precision characterization processes.

Expansion of the technical infrastructure for precision manufacturing: Acquisition of a lapping machine and a robot arm.

RhySearch forms a management team. Final investment requests are submitted to the parties involved under the special investment credit, e.g. the Optical Coating division invests in an ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) system. The multi-year project with 9 industrial and 4 research partners in the field of precision manufacturing is successfully completed and the results are directly implemented by the industrial partners to reduce post-processing costs.

One of the key activities was the development of the strategy for 2022-2025 and the start of its implementation. Nine strategic projects were defined for the five sub-strategies and the corresponding mission statements were adopted.

In the Optical Coating Division, the ALD system and the FORZA research coating system are put into operation. A process control system is introduced in the Precision Manufacturing division, and the coordinate measuring machine is put into operation. The multi-year "Future of Precision Manufacturing" event series is launched.

The special investment credit will be successfully exhausted at the end of 2022 with the completion of all procurement projects. The Institute now has an infrastructure in its main research areas that is unique in Switzerland. Renaming of the departments to Ultra-Precision Manufacturing Lab and Optical Coating and Characterization Lab allows for internationalization and thus greater awareness of the research strengths. Two PhD students successfully graduate.

The Rhine Valley Research and Innovation Center RhySearch celebrates its 10th anniversary. In the 10 years of its existence, RhySearch has grown to 26 employees with a total turnover of CHF 4.95 million. As third research area, the Digital Innovation Lab will complement the Ultra-Precision Manufacturing Lab and Optical Coating and Characterization Lab.

RhySearch submits the application to obtain the status of "Research Institutions of National Importance". The main objective of the funding instrument regulated in Article 15 RIPA (Federal Act on the Promotion of Research and Innovation) is to encourage science-based innovation. The newly established Scientific Advisory Board with 6 renowned international experts who can support all core areas of RhySearch will start its work in December 2023.

The ninth OCLA 2024 (Symposium on Optical Coatings for Laser Applications) is taking place in Buchs (SG) with over 100 experts. Prof. Dr. Laura De Lorenzis from the Institute of Mechanical Systems (ETH Zurich) joins the Scientific Advisory Board.