The active window state-of-the-art in sound insulation While the potential offered by passive sound insulation measures to windows has now been largely exhausted, major advances beckon through the application of intelligently controlled vibration suppression systems to double-glazed units. While first prototypes, developed by EMPA in the course of R&D projects, have demonstrated the basic feasibility of such solutions, considerable work remains to be done prior to practical implementation. Material flows in the construction industry Of all the economic sectors in Switzerland, the building industry causes the largest materials flows, while consuming some 60% of primary energy. Substantial improvements could be achieved in future by the wider use of recycled materials, for instance. Empa makes a valuable contribution through practice-oriented research and development aimed at promoting the recycling of building materials and structures and the use of renewable raw materials and durable, eco-efficient products in construction. This work will be on show at Swissbau. Measuring the pulse of a heavily trafficked motorway Since 1998, Empa has been monitoring loads on the carriageways of the ZurichBerne motorway under various traffic and weather conditions. This is the only long-term investigation of its kind in Switzerland. The installed system records the number and weight of passing vehicles while logging the resilience of the pavement. The measurements are comparable to measuring the motorways health since they provide a constant update on the highway's state of health. The findings, to be presented at Swissbau, will serve to optimize materials use and extend the lifespan of our motorways. |