Empa Thun Celebrates 30 Years as a Leading Center for Materials Technology

Empa Thun Celebrates 30 Years as a Leading Center for Materials Technology

(IN BRIEF) Empa’s Thun campus, now an internationally acclaimed center for materials technology, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Established in 1994, the campus has grown into a hub of innovation, employing around 90 experts and fostering collaborations with universities and industry partners worldwide. The campus’s interdisciplinary approach and unique research infrastructure have positioned it as a key player in materials science and engineering.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜBENDORF, 5-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Empa’s Thun campus has evolved over the past 30 years into an internationally recognized hub for materials technology, boasting a unique research infrastructure. The campus recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of innovation and scientific achievement.

On January 1, 1994, Empa inaugurated the Materials Technology lab at its new Thun location. Nearly 30 employees from the former Materials and Testing Technology section of the Group for Armaments Services (GRD) transitioned from the Federal Military Department to Empa, shifting to a civilian research environment.

From its inception, the Thun research center has positioned itself as a nucleus of innovation, requiring not only creativity and expertise in metal processing and mechanical engineering but also diverse external inputs. Empa’s strategy included creating new positions, attracting international experts to fill them. Today, the campus hosts approximately 90 employees across two research labs: Advanced Materials Processing and Mechanics of Materials & Nanostructures.

Addressing Industry Challenges with Innovative Solutions

Traditional mechanical and non-destructive materials testing has given way to interdisciplinary materials science within a multicultural setting. Scientists and engineers at Thun routinely blend the disciplines of materials science, solid-state physics, and solid-state chemistry, resulting in innovative solutions such as the unique large-scale laser micromachining facility located on-site.

Empa Thun exemplifies the organization’s broader ethos: fostering a creative and collaborative environment that attracts research institutions and industry partners alike. The Thun campus has forged robust collaborations with universities in Switzerland, Europe, and beyond, resulting in a growing number of doctoral and Master’s students. This commitment extends to teaching roles at ETH Lausanne and Zurich, universities of applied sciences, and numerous continuing education courses and workshops.

Celebrating Milestones and Looking Ahead

The 30th-anniversary celebration underscored Thun’s achievements and its role as a critical partner in materials technology research. A group photo featuring Empa Director Tanja Zimmermann and Lorenz Herrmann, Head of the Advanced Materials and Surfaces Department and the Thun campus, captured the spirit of the occasion. The festivities included an unconventional “Advanced Manufacturing” birthday cake, symbolizing the innovative spirit of the campus.

With a history of addressing challenging industrial questions and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, Empa Thun is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of excellence and innovation in materials technology.

Media Contacts:

Prof. Dr. Patrik Hoffmann
Advanced Materials Processing
Phone +41 58 765 62 62
patrik.hoffmann@empa.ch

Prof. Dr. Johann Michler
Mechanics of Materials & Nanostructures
Phone +41 58 765 62 05
johann.michler@empa.ch

Remigius Nideröst
Communications
Phone +41 58 765 45 98
redaktion@empa.ch

SOURCE: EMPA