Empa Researcher Yaroslav Romanyuk Appointed ETH Zurich Titular Professor for Thin-Film Technology Research Supporting the Energy Transition

Yaroslav Romanyuk has ambitious goals: Together with his team, he is researching novel material combinations, solid-state batteries produced by vapor deposition and printed electronics. Image: Empa

(IN BRIEF) Empa researcher Yaroslav Romanyuk has been appointed titular professor by ETH Zurich, recognizing his long-standing contributions to thin-film technologies and their importance for the energy transition. Romanyuk has worked at Empa for 18 years and has also lectured at ETH Zurich and EPFL, focusing on advanced technologies such as next-generation solar cells, solid-state batteries, light-emitting diodes, printed electronics and new material combinations. His scientific career was shaped by his early work with Ayodhya Tiwari’s solar cell research team, which achieved several world records in flexible thin-film solar cell efficiency and helped open new research paths in photovoltaics. As head of Empa’s Thin Films and Photovoltaics Laboratory, Romanyuk leads research into innovative materials, vapor-deposited solid-state batteries and future electronics, while also placing strong emphasis on mentoring young scientists. He has supervised more than 40 master’s theses and many doctoral dissertations, with several former colleagues now holding senior positions in Swiss high-tech companies. His lab has also contributed to the creation of the start-up BTRY, which is developing ultra-thin lithium-ion solid-state batteries. Looking ahead, Romanyuk aims to use machine learning, AI and digital twins to accelerate development processes and reduce the time, energy and resources needed to bring new energy technologies forward.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜBENDORF, 22-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Empa researcher Yaroslav Romanyuk has been appointed titular professor by ETH Zurich, recognizing his long-standing scientific contribution to thin-film technologies and their role in advancing key solutions for the energy transition. His research has focused on technologies that are central to future energy systems, including next-generation solar cells, batteries, light-emitting diodes, printed electronics and novel material combinations.

Romanyuk has spent 18 years at Empa, where he has played an important role in developing complex thin-film technologies with practical relevance for renewable energy and sustainable electronics. In addition to his research work, he has also served for several years as a lecturer at both ETH Zurich and EPFL, helping connect advanced materials research with education and the training of future scientists.

His career at Empa began when he joined the institution from Zurich Technopark together with Ayodhya Tiwari’s solar cell research team. That period became an important foundation for Romanyuk’s scientific development and led to a series of achievements, including several world records in the efficiency of flexible thin-film solar cells, many jointly supervised doctoral theses and the opening of new research directions in photovoltaics and related technologies.

Today, Romanyuk leads Empa’s Thin Films and Photovoltaics Laboratory, where he and his team are pursuing ambitious research goals. Their work includes the development of new material combinations, solid-state batteries produced through vapor deposition and printed electronics. The research approach also leaves room for unexpected discoveries, recognizing that major scientific progress often emerges from the creativity, curiosity and persistence of committed research teams.

A major part of Romanyuk’s work has also been dedicated to supporting young scientific talent. Over the course of his career, he has supervised more than 40 master’s theses and numerous doctoral dissertations. His approach to mentorship is built on trust, patience and the belief that unsuccessful experiments can still lead to valuable breakthroughs. Many of his former colleagues have gone on to take senior positions at leading Swiss high-tech companies.

The influence of Romanyuk’s laboratory can also be seen in the creation of BTRY, a start-up founded by colleagues from his lab. The company is working to commercialize a new ultra-thin lithium-ion solid-state battery, reflecting the broader impact of Empa’s research on emerging energy storage technologies.

Looking ahead, Romanyuk plans to further integrate machine learning and artificial intelligence into research and development processes. These tools could make the development of batteries, solar cells and other thin-film devices more efficient by using digital twins to predict material properties before physical production begins. Such approaches have the potential to save time, energy and resources while accelerating the path from laboratory research to practical applications.

Romanyuk’s appointment as titular professor in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at ETH Zurich provides further academic recognition for his work and reinforces the close relationship between ETH Zurich and Empa. His research stands out for combining scientific excellence with clear societal relevance, particularly in the development of technologies that can support the global energy transition.

Media Contact:

Dr. Yaroslav Romanyuk
Thin Films and Photovoltaics
Phone +41 58 765 4169
yaroslav.romanyuk@empa.ch

Dr. Andrea Six
Communications
Tel. +41 58 765 6133
redaktion@empa.ch

SOURCE: EMPA