On the road

Three samples invite visitors to explore the materials and learn more about the Mining the Atmosphere research initiative. Image: FDFA, Presence Switzerland

From August 13 to October 13, Empa was represented at the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka. As part of the Swissnex exhibition Anticipation, Empa presented its interdisciplinary research initiative Mining the Atmosphere. Visitors were able to immerse themselves in the “atmospheric mine” by interacting with various objects – an aerogel sample, a cube made of CO₂-negative concrete, and a plastic figure of Heidi – and learn how CO₂-capturing materials work, how buildings can become carbon sinks, and why industrial processes will no longer have to rely on fossil fuels in the future.

Read more: Mining the Atmosphere at World Expo Osaka

Playful learning: In the “Climate Challenge” simulation game, pupils shape Switzerland's energy future. Image: Empa

Make decisions and change the future: Since August 2025, schoolchildren have been able to do just that at the Swiss Museum of Transport. In collaboration with Empa and Ulrich Creative Simulations GmbH, the Swiss Museum of Transport has developed an interactive simulation game called “Klima Challenge”. In a two-hour workshop for school classes, students from the 8th grade onwards take on the role of decision-makers and shape Switzerland to become climate-neutral. The game was developed as part of the Joint Initiative Energy Science for Tomorrow (ES4T) of the ETH Domain.
Read more: Post Fossile Cities: The Climate Challenge

PFAS chemicals pollute the environment for generations. “wissen2go” provides answers to the most important questions about these eternal chemicals. Illustration: Empa

PFAS chemicals are a hot topic – substances from this huge class of compounds end up in the environment, some even in the human body, and pollute it for generations. At Empa, Eawag, and the Ecotoxicology Center, researchers are working on a variety of approaches to protect both the environment and our natural resources such as drinking water, as well as to transform industry in a sustainable way. In the upcoming issue of “wissen2go,” experts will answer key questions such as: What exactly are PFAS? Why are PFAS a problem? What can we do about them? And where and for how long will this problem affect us? Register today for the online event on November 25, 2025, at “wissen2go”: PFAS, the forever chemicals

The Urban Futures Symposium brings together researchers, industry representatives and policymakers to shape the future of urban landscapes. The event marks the 10th anniversary of Empa's Urban Energy Systems Laboratory and emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge transfer and exchange. The symposium will take place on September 1 to 2 at Empa in Dübendorf.

https://urban-futures.empa.ch/

CircuBAT2025 will take place in Bern on November 13 and 14. The international conference on the topic of circular economy for lithium-ion batteries is the result of the Innosuisse flagship project of the same name, in which eleven Swiss research institutions, including Empa, and 24 industrial partners have jointly developed innovations for more sustainable lithium-ion batteries. At the conference, the project participants will present results from the seven sub-projects and showcase the latest technological advances and scientific developments in the industry. CircuBAT2025 will take place in Bern on November 13 and 14. The international conference on the topic of circular economy for lithium-ion batteries is the result of the Innosuisse flagship project of the same name, in which eleven Swiss research institutions, including Empa, and 24 industrial partners have jointly developed innovations for more sustainable lithium-ion batteries. At the conference, the project participants will present results from the seven sub-projects and showcase the latest technological advances and scientific developments in the industry.

More information

From September 3 to 5, 2025, Empa and EPFL are jointly organizing the Alloys for Additive Manufacturing Symposium 2025 (AAMS 2025) on the EPFL campus in Neuchâtel. The symposium, which is aimed at experts from research and industry, is all about the additive manufacturing of metals and composite materials with metallic phases, whether from the experimental, theoretical or computational side. A special focus will be placed on the optimization of existing and the design of novel alloys for additive manufacturing.

Registration and further information

On 9 May, the Green Day 2025 will take place at the Switzerland Innovation Park Ost in St. Gallen. The event aims to highlight the opportunities that renewable energies and the circular economy offer innovative Swiss SMEs. Nathalie Casas, member of Empa's Directorate, will be among the speakers. She will talk about Empa's large-scale research initiative Mining the Atmosphere and how we can use atmospheric CO₂ to produce plastics, medicines, fuels and much more. https://innovationspark-ost.ch/event/impulsveranstaltung-green-day-2025-erneuerbare-energie-und-kreislaufwirtschaft-als-chance-fuer-innovative-kmu/

Many people associate science with bad memories from their school days. That doesn't have to be the case, researchers at Empa in St. Gallen are convinced. For the third time now, they are organizing the St. Gallen edition of the global science festival Pint of Science. Scientists from various institutions, universities and companies in and around St. Gallen go to bars and coffee shops in the city and talk to a wide audience about their research in a relaxed atmosphere. Pint of Science will take place from May 19 to 21. The topics and venues can be found on the festival website: https://pintofscience.ch/events/st-gallen

To transfer research results from Empa's labs into clinical practice more quickly, Empa is inviting experts from the healthcare sector to another Technology Briefing on 27 May 2025. Empa researchers will present their latest findings on musculoskeletal health and show how innovative imaging, biomechanics and related technology development can improve the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. From multi-scale imaging techniques to patient-specific models – science and practice jointly open up new avenues in musculoskeletal medicine. Further information on the program and registration can be found here: https://www.empa.ch/web/tb/diagnose-behandlung-rückenschmerzen

The Emission Explorer exhibit (left) helps visitors to determine their CO₂ footprint. Image: Swiss Museum of Transport

Seit Ende Oktober ist im Verkehrshaus Luzern ein Exponat der Empa zu finden. Der «Emission Explorer» wurde im Rahmen der gemeinsamen Initiative des ETH-Bereichs «Energy Science for Tomorrow» (ES4T) entwickelt. Je nach ihren individuellen Lebensgewohnheiten in verschiedenen Bereichen wie Wohnen, Ernährung und Konsumverhalten können Besucherinnen und Besucher mit Hilfe des «Emission Explorer» ermitteln, wo sie im schweizweiten Vergleich stehen und was sie tun können, um allenfalls auf kleinerem Fusse zu leben. Das Exponat ist Teil der Ausstellung «Experience Energy!», die noch für drei Jahre im Verkehrshaus zu sehen ist.

https://www.verkehrshaus.ch/besuchen/museum/energie/experience-energy.html

Green strategy: South Africa is improving its e-waste management with support from Empa. Image: Empa

Die Regierung von Südafrika hat im Sommer 2024 ein Strategiepapier zum Management von Elektroschrott herausgegeben, das in Zusammenarbeit mit der Empa und dem «World Resources Forum» (WRF) erarbeitet wurde. Damit erlässt das Land erstmals einheitliche Richtlinien zur fachgerechten und sicheren Handhabung von Elektroabfällen. Eine wichtige Grundlage für diese Strategie lieferte das «Sustainable Recycling Industries»-Programm (SRI), finanziert vom Schweizer Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft (SECO) und durchgeführt von der Empa und dem WRF, einer aus der Empa hervorgegangenen internationalen Non-Profit-Organisation.

https://www.empa.ch/web/s604/elektroschrott-management-in-afrika

International Participants from 14 countries took part in the course. Image: BMKG

Im Herbst 2024 führten Empa-Forschende aus dem Labor «Luftfremdstoffe / Umwelttechnik» ein Training für Verantwortliche von Treibhausgasmessungen im Asien-Pazifik-Raum durch. Der Kurs, der teilweise online und teilweise auf der indonesischen Insel Sumatra stattfand, wurde von Teilnehmenden aus 14 Ländern besucht. Organisiert wurde er von der Weltmeteorologieorganisation (WMO) und dem indonesischen Wetterdienst im Rahmen des «Global Atmosphere Watch» (GAW) Programms der WMO. Das Programm dient unter anderem dem Betrieb einer weltweiten Infrastruktur zur Messung der Treibhausgaskonzentrationen in der Atmosphäre. Die Empa unterstützt das GAW-Programm durch Ausbildung und Qualitätskontrollen bereits seit 1996.

www.empa.ch/web/s503