Dec 21, 2017 | Tanja Zimmermann joins Empa senior management
Tanja Zimmermann joined Empa’s Board of Directors in September. She runs the new Functional Materials department – another step up in a successful career that began in Empa’s Wood lab. Thanks to her inquisitiveness,...
Dec 18, 2017 | Bernd Nowack among the most highly cited researchers
Accolade for the Empa environmental scientist Bernd Nowak: for the fourth time in a row, he is part of the "Highly Cited Researchers" list. His publications thus belong to the 1% most highly cited papers worldwide in the...
Dec 15, 2017 | NEST at Swissbau 2018
For the very first time, the "Innovation Lab", a special exhibition for digital transformations in the construction industry, will be held at Swissbau 2018 from 16 to 20 January. NEST, the modular research and...
Dec 11, 2017 | Empa's youngest scientific co-author
What started out as a two-week internship at Empa culminated in the GENIUS Olympiad in the US for Luca Schaufelberger: as the winner of the national competition “Swiss Youth in Science”, he represented Switzerland at the...
Dec 7, 2017 | Carbosense 4D
Switzerland is to gain a dense, globally unique atmospheric CO2 measuring network: 300 sensors will permanently collect up-to-date readings, to provide near-real time information on man-made emissions and CO2 uptake by...
Dec 6, 2017 | Ruzicka Prize 2017 for Maria Ibáñez
Empa researcher Maria Ibáñez was awarded the annual Ruzicka Prize by ETH Zurich. This makes it the second Empa researcher to join the long list of prize-winners dating back to 1957.
Dec 5, 2017 | Microwaves against cold-start emissions
During cold-start, a car engine emits far more particulate matter and other pollutants than during warm conditions. This is because a cold catalytic converter is much less efficient at low exhaust gas temperatures. So...
Nov 30, 2017 | Construction start at "Urban Mining & Recycling" Unit
One working day, two cranes and a well attuned team: on 21 November 2017, the woodworkers from the Austrian company Kaufmann Zimmerei und Tischlerei placed the seven prefabricated modules of the new "Urban Mining &...
Nov 29, 2017 | Breakthrough in nanoelectronics
Transistors based on carbon nanostructures: what sounds like a futuristic dream could be reality in just a few years' time. An international research team working with Empa has now succeeded in producing nanotransistors...
Nov 23, 2017 | New generation of solid state batteries
Researchers at Empa and the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have developed a prototype of a novel solid state sodium battery with the potential to store extra energy and with improved safety.
Nov 21, 2017 | Jugendliche fit für die Zukunft machen
Über 60 Jugendliche erhalten im Innovationszentrum Startfeld Einblick in die faszinierende Welt der Start-ups und lernen neue Berufsbilder kennen. Mit dabei ist auch die Empa mit dem Forschungsfeld «Smart Textiles» – das...
Nov 16, 2017 | True colors meet minimization
Red-sensitive, blue-sensitive and green-sensitive color sensors stacked on top of each other instead of being lined up in a mosaic pattern – this principle could allow image sensors with unprecedented resolution and...
Nov 14, 2017 | Strategic Focus Area launched
Industry and science are searching for answers to the challenges of digitization – including in production. In order to supply Switzerland with the necessary expertise for the future, the ETH Domain initiated the...
Nov 14, 2017 | Empa Research Award 2017
In the future, new designer alloys for aerospace applications can be manufactured using the 3-D laser melting process (Additive Manufacturing). Pioneering work in this field was provided by Empa researcher Christoph...
Nov 10, 2017 | Nationaler Zukunftstag 2017
Rund 100 Kinder konnten am Nationalen Zukunftstag 2017 in die Welt der Materialforschung an der Empa eintauchen. Der technikinteressierte Nachwuchs besuchte die 16 Workshops an den drei Standorten – und war begeistert.
Nov 10, 2017 | Elastic polymer with piezo-effect
Researchers from Empa have developed a flexible material that generates electricity when stressed. In future, it might be used as a sensor, integrated into clothing or even implanted in the human body, for instance, to...
Nov 9, 2017 | Empa Technology & Innovation Forum 2017
Schweizer Unternehmen stehen unter zunehmendem Kostendruck durch die Globalisierung. Innovative Produkte sind margenträchtiger, jedoch wächst auch das Risiko des Misserfolgs. Wie können Unternehmen bessere...
Nov 8, 2017 | Baukader Award goes to Vision Wood
Last week, Baukader Schweiz presented the Cadre d'Or for outstanding achievements in the field of wood construction in Switzerland. The Silver Award went to the two Empa researchers, Tanja Zimmermann and Ingo Burgert,...
Nov 7, 2017 | National Research Program draws to an end
Wood could potentially replace petrol in chemistry and concrete in construction, according to studies conducted under the National Research Programme "Resource Wood". They show how precious chemical compounds can be...
Nov 7, 2017 | One step ahead towards the artificial heart
An artificial heart would be an absolute lifesaver for people with cardiac failure. However, to recreate the complex organ in the laboratory, one would first need to work out how to grow multi-layered, living tissues....
Nov 1, 2017 | Reuse over disposal
Buildings made of reusable components: that is the aim of a research collaboration between Empa and the University of Luxembourg. Using a modular construction method with elements that can be used again in new buildings,...
Oct 31, 2017 | Cozy treatment
Babies who suffer from jaundice after birth are treated with shortwave light. Empa researchers have now developed illuminated pajamas that replace the treatment in an incubator. This means newborns can get healthy while...
Oct 27, 2017 | Innovation partnership for climate-friendly transport
Empa and Migros have announced a new innovation partnership. Together, they intend to promote sustainable and innovative goods transport solutions. Their objective is to develop new powertrain concepts with lower CO2...
Oct 20, 2017 | Empa researcher David Turner receives ISWA Award
Each year, the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) presents its Publication Award to researchers who have made an exceptional scientific contribution to the field of waste disposal. For the second time in a row,...
Oct 19, 2017 | A new Empa spin-off: "Swiss Wood Solutions"
Like many tropical wood types, ebony is an endangered species that is tricky to use, such in in-strument manufacturing. Despite strict trade regulations, ebony stocks are plummeting. A substitute is urgently needed. And...
Oct 16, 2017 | Kristina Orehounig appointed head of laboratory
On 1 February 2018, Kristina Orehounig, who currently conducts research at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, will become the new Head of the Urban Energy Systems Laboratory at Empa, taking over from...
Oct 12, 2017 | Innovative construction technique passes field test
Researchers from ETH Zurich have built a prototype of an ultra-thin, curved concrete roof using innovative digital design and fabrication methods. The tested novel formwork system will be used in an actual construction...
Oct 11, 2017 | Batteries of the future
Lithium ion batteries are flammable and the price of the raw material is rising. Are there alternatives? Yes: Empa and ETH Zürich researchers have discovered promising approaches as to how we might produce batteries out...
Oct 10, 2017 | Environmental cycle trail
The newly erected information stations on the cycle trail on the Eawag-Empa campus were opened on 4th October 2017. The two stations were unveiled and inaugurated in the presence of the Dübendorf Town Council members,...
Oct 9, 2017 | Nanoparticles that stick wounds together
In spite of medical advances, wound-related complications arising after operations can still be life-threatening. In order to avoid these complications in the future, a new nanoparticle-based tissue glue has been...
Oct 5, 2017 | Smart Grid and Energy Storage
In one of her first official appearances, the new Canadian ambassador, Susan Bincoletto, accepted an invitation from Empa. The ambassador, who has been in office since September, arrived on October 2, 2017 at Empa...
Oct 2, 2017 | A thin film with a nose for copper
A team of Empa scientists has developed a biosensor which allows them to detect elevated concentrations of copper in a simple, quick and economic way. Copper, like other heavy metals is problematic in high...
Sep 26, 2017 | Non-toxic ingredients
Chemists from Empa have developed and patented an environmentally friendly way to produce flame retardants for foams that can be used in mattresses and upholstery. Unlike previous flame retardants made of chemicals...
Sep 25, 2017 | Inauguration of the "Driving" adventure station
On 4 October, two adventure stations will open at the campus of Empa and Eawag on Switzerland's second "Umweltveloweg" (environmental bike path). The interactive stations, each with a large-scale picture book, show in a...
Sep 21, 2017 | New technology for synthetic fiber fabrics: lasering instead of sewing
Over the last few years, Empa scientists have developed a novel process that fuses synthetic fiber fabrics – making the "seam" airtight and waterproof. In order to exploit the innovative technology commercially, Empa...
Sep 20, 2017 | Sustainable mobility courtesy of solar power
Swiss start-up Flisom is ready for the global market: the company, a spin-off from ETH Zürich and Empa, has developed a unique roll-to-roll process for the cost-effective production of flexible and highly efficient...
Sep 18, 2017 | First «Alloys for Additive Manufacturing Symposium» at Empa
World premiere at Empa: on 11 and 12 September researchers from Europe, Asia, and the US came together for the first conference on materials research for industrial 3D printing with metals.
Sep 15, 2017 | From e-scooters to solar power storage
What can we do with aging scooter batteries? Instead of scrapping them and recycling their components, the batteries could be left intact and re-used in a solar power storage cabinet. This is precisely what a pilot...
Sep 13, 2017 | E-Dumper
A Swiss consortium of companies is constructing the largest electric vehicle in the world – in record time. The prototype is not intended as a dainty little exhibition piece for trade fairs, but rather for hard labor in...
Sep 7, 2017 | Three Empa Start-Ups awarded
The best young Swiss entrepreneurs are selected every year and honoured with the «TOP 100 STARTUP AWARDs». This year three start-ups who owe their establishment in part to Empa made it onto the Honour Roll.
Aug 31, 2017 | Making sustainable mobility come alive
Goodbye to fossil fuels, hello to renewables: Empa demonstrates how the mobility of the future can work without fossil energy in its mobility demonstrator "move". A new 3D visualization of the entire system (in German)...
Aug 24, 2017 | International climate researchers at Empa
Compared to the preindustrial era, the carbon dioxide concentration (CO2) in the atmosphere has risen to nearly a 1.5-fold higher concentration in 2016, and it continues to rise. As part of the Global Atmosphere Watch...
Aug 24, 2017 | NEST: Solar Fitness and Wellness Unit opens its doors
There is a growing need in our society for fitness and wellness, which generally incurs environmental costs and swallows up large quantities of energy. At NEST, the Empa and Eawag research and innovation building, a...
Aug 22, 2017 | A new weapon in the fight against osteoarthritis?
Researchers at ETH Zurich, Empa and the Norwegian research institute SINTEF are pursuing a new approach to treating osteoarthritis. This is based on a polysaccharide, a long-chain sugar molecule, originating from brown...
Aug 17, 2017 | New emission regulations for passenger vehicles from September 1, 2017
On September 1, 2017, new emissions regulations for passenger vehicles will come into force in the EU and Switzerland. These will plug the gaps in the existing legislation and ensure that diesel vehicles in particular...
Aug 14, 2017 | How to produce microlenses from dyes
Researchers are on the lookout for rapid, reliable and affordable switches for the opto-electronics of the future. An Empa team now presents a potential solution: dye droplets measuring just a few sub-micrometers in...
Aug 10, 2017 | Start-up supports family planning
Since January 2017 a sensor wristband that, according to the manufacturer, is capable of detecting a woman’s fertile days in her cycle with 89 percent certainty has been on the market. Empa helped developing the sensor...
Aug 7, 2017 | New 3D model of the human placental barrier
An Empa team has succeeded in developing a new three-dimensional cell model of the human placental barrier. The "model organ" can quickly and reliably deliver new information on the intake of substances, such as...
Jul 24, 2017 | Sommercamp an der Empa
Bereits zum 14. Mal fand letzte Woche in Dübendorf das beliebte Ferienprogramm für die Kinder der Empa-Mitarbeitenden statt. Während ihre Eltern bei der Arbeit waren, erleben knapp zwei Dutzend Mädchen und Buben im...
Jul 21, 2017 | Cities suffer from higher temperatures during heat waves
June 2017 broke quite a few weather records in Switzerland. Above all the month was extraordinarily hot, the second hottest June on records, peaking in a heat wave between 19 and 23 June. Cities heat up even more than...
Jul 18, 2017 | Producing hydrogen from solar energy
In order to allow solar and wind energy to make a greater contribution to our future energy supply, it must be possible to store this energy efficiently, for instance in the form of hydrogen. This is done by means of the...
Jul 10, 2017 | A new way to steer a drone
Moving things with a wave of the hand: thanks to Empa technology this dream could soon become real. A sensor made of piezo-resistive fibers integrated in a wristband measures wrist movements and converts them into...
Jul 6, 2017 | Multi-year project successfully concluded
Since 2009, commissioned by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Empa has supported the development of sustainable take-back and recycling systems for electronic waste in Colombia. On June 6, 2017, the...
Jul 1, 2017 | Scientist and Philosopher
In May 2016, Patrick Wäger took over the helm at Empa’s Technology and Society lab. Closing material cycles and performing life cycle and technology assessments are just some of the topics that now come under his...
Jun 29, 2017 | New NEST unit: DFAB HOUSE
At the Empa and Eawag NEST building in Dübendorf, eight ETH Zurich professors are collaborating with business partners to build the three-storey DFAB HOUSE. It is the first building in the world to be designed, planned...
Jun 26, 2017 | Textiles made from synthetic fibers release microfibers
Even before the UN Ocean Conference in early June, we already knew about the disastrous ways in which plastic affects the world's oceans. Billions of pieces of plastic are floating in the oceans. Their effects are also...
Jun 26, 2017 | "Umsicht" Award embedded in NEST wall
NEST officially opened just over a year ago – and a great deal has happened since. At the partner event on 22 June 2017, the NEST network partners – which now number over 100 companies and research as well as public...
Jun 21, 2017 | New conductivity mechanism of ions discovered
Hydrogen is regarded as the energy source of the future: It is produced with solar power and can be used to generate heat and electricity in fuel cells. Empa researchers have now succeeded in decoding the movement of...
Jun 20, 2017 | Research platform “ehub”
How can we organize energy supply in the post-fossil era? How can energy be stored efficiently? And how can we organize distribution as economically and conveniently as possible? Empa’s research platform “ehub” is...
Jun 15, 2017 | Tours for the public
In March 2017, NEST received an award from the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA) as part of "Umsicht – Regards – Sguardi 2017". From June 20 to July 6, 2017, the traveling exhibition will be in the NEST...