Tag Archives: Empa

Swiss and French Researchers Develop Industrial-Scale Corrosion-Resistant Components for Hydrogen Electrolysis

(IN BRIEF) Researchers at Empa and partner institutions in France are developing new corrosion-resistant materials designed to lower the cost of green hydrogen production through proton-exchange membrane water electrolysis. By replacing expensive platinum coatings and titanium components with steel and … Read the full press release

Empa and PSI Researchers Advance Scientific Workflow Automation with AiiDAlab Platform

(IN BRIEF) Empa and Paul Scherrer Institute researchers have expanded the capabilities of the AiiDAlab software platform beyond materials science into fields including battery research, atmospheric science, and experimental data analysis. Originally designed to simplify scientific simulations through an intuitive … Read the full press release

Empa Researchers Develop Light Activated Nanozyme Therapy to Target Brain Tumors

(IN BRIEF) Empa and HOCH Health Ostschweiz have launched a research project to develop nanozyme-based therapies for treating aggressive brain tumors such as astrocytoma, using near-infrared light to activate the treatment directly at the tumor site. The approach aims to … Read the full press release

Empa and Industry Partners Demonstrate Hydrogen Fuel Cells as a High-Efficiency Solution for Managing Peak Energy Demand in District Systems

(IN BRIEF) The H2 districts research project, led by Empa in collaboration with Hälg Group, Osterwalder Group, and H2 Energy AG, has demonstrated the effectiveness of hydrogen fuel cells in supporting district energy systems and reducing strain on power grids. … Read the full press release

Empa Led Research Highlights Rising Chemical Emissions Threatening Ozone Recovery Timeline

(IN BRIEF) A study led by Empa has found that emissions from industrial feedstock chemicals could delay the recovery of the ozone layer by several years. These substances, still used in manufacturing processes, have been underestimated in both usage and … Read the full press release

ETH Zurich and Empa Develop Recyclable Fire Retardant Building Material from Sawdust Using Innovative Mineral Binding Process

(IN BRIEF) Researchers from ETH Zurich and Empa have developed a new fire-retardant and recyclable building material made from sawdust and the mineral struvite, using an enzyme derived from watermelon seeds to control the binding process. The innovation offers a … Read the full press release

Empa Research Facilities Featured in Winning Design for Switzerland’s Future Banknote Series

(IN BRIEF) Empa research facilities are set to appear on Switzerland’s future banknotes after the Swiss National Bank selected a winning design concept created by the agency Emphase Sàrl. The new currency series will follow the theme “Switzerland and its … Read the full press release

Empa Secures Werner Siemens Foundation Funding to Develop SonoGuard Postoperative Monitoring Technology

(IN BRIEF) Empa researcher Inge Herrmann has secured 8 million Swiss francs in funding from the Werner Siemens Foundation to develop SonoGuard, a novel system designed to detect and treat complications after surgery. The five-year project aims to create an … Read the full press release

Empa Study Highlights Need for Early Industry Collaboration to Commercialize Next Generation Solar Cell Technologies

(IN BRIEF) Empa researchers and industry experts have analyzed the challenges involved in commercializing emerging solar cell technologies and concluded that earlier collaboration between research institutions and industry is essential for success. The study examined CIGS and perovskite thin-film solar … Read the full press release

Empa Introduces Shape Memory Steel Solution to Modernize Bridge Rehabilitation and Extend Infrastructure Lifespans

(IN BRIEF) Empa researchers have developed a novel bridge retrofitting system that integrates ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete with iron-based shape memory alloy reinforcement to strengthen aging concrete bridges. When activated by heat, the smart steel generates internal prestressing forces that close … Read the full press release

EMPA Showcases Alina Begley’s Long-Term Atmospheric Screening Work on International Day of Women and Girls in Science

(IN BRIEF) EMPA is highlighting the work of postdoctoral researcher Alina Begley for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, showcasing her long-term atmospheric screening that detects both known and previously unidentified climate-relevant gases using an advanced analytical … Read the full press release

Empa Advances Global Research on Metallic Glasses Through ISS Experiments in Partnership with the European Space Agency

(IN BRIEF) Empa is conducting advanced research into metallic glasses through a series of experiments aboard the International Space Station in collaboration with the European Space Agency, aiming to better understand their properties and improve industrial production methods. Metallic glasses, … Read the full press release

Empa Leadership Secured as Federal Council Reappoints Tanja Zimmermann to Drive Innovation and Research Collaboration

(IN BRIEF) The Swiss Federal Council has confirmed Tanja Zimmermann for a second four-year term as Director of Empa, extending her leadership through May 2030. During her first mandate, Zimmermann strengthened Empa’s strategic position within the ETH Domain, expanded collaboration … Read the full press release

New Empa Cable Technology Supports Combined MRI and Neurostimulation Applications Without Interference

(IN BRIEF) Empa has developed polymer-based, MRI-compatible electrode cables in collaboration with Swiss company TI Solutions AG, addressing long-standing safety and performance challenges associated with using conductive materials inside MRI scanners. By replacing traditional copper wiring with polymer fibers coated … Read the full press release

Swiss Deep-Tech Startups from Empa Bring Breakthrough Energy and Cooling Technologies to CES

(IN BRIEF) Three Swiss deep-tech startups spun out of Empa are showcasing cutting-edge hardware innovations at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. BTRY AG is presenting ultra-thin solid-state batteries with one-minute charging, Ionic Wind AG is demonstrating fanless ionic-wind cooling for … Read the full press release

New Research Maps How Trifluoroacetic Acid Accumulates in Water Systems Across Europe

(IN BRIEF) Empa researchers, working with the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment and the University of Bern, have investigated how trifluoroacetic acid forms in the atmosphere and accumulates in water systems. Using long-term measurements and advanced modeling, the study … Read the full press release

Empa Researchers Strengthen Satellite Insulation with Ultra Thin Interlayer Technology

(IN BRIEF) Empa researchers have strengthened ultra-light, flexible composite materials used in satellite insulation by introducing an artificial ultra-thin interlayer between metal and polymer films. The five-nanometre layer significantly improves elasticity and resistance to cracking under extreme thermal and mechanical … Read the full press release

Empa researcher Robert Zboray appointed titular professor by University of Bern in X-ray imaging and biomedical engineering

(IN BRIEF) Empa researcher Robert Zboray has been appointed titular professor at the University of Bern, effective December 1, 2025. Zboray lectures in biomedical engineering and advanced X-ray imaging and leads a research group at Empa’s Center for X-ray Analysis. … Read the full press release

Biodegradable smart tag from Empa, EPFL and CSEM enables real-time monitoring of sensitive goods

(IN BRIEF) A collaboration between Empa, EPFL and CSEM has resulted in a fully biodegradable smart sensing tag designed to monitor temperature and humidity during transport and record whether critical temperature thresholds have been breached. Developed through the Swiss-funded Greenspack … Read the full press release

Empa Achieves Global Research Distinction as Maksym Kovalenko and Zhanyun Wang Secure Positions on Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers List

(IN BRIEF) Empa researchers Maksym Kovalenko and Zhanyun Wang have been named among the Highly Cited Researchers 2025, an international ranking by Clarivate recognizing scientists whose publications belong to the top one percent most cited in their fields over the … Read the full press release