30 years of Empa in Thun
Nucleus for research and technology
Within 30 years, Empa in Thun has developed into an internationally renowned center for materials technology with a unique research infrastructure. Recently, the Thun campus celebrated its 30th anniversary.
On January 1, 1994, Empa opened the Materials Technology lab at the new site in Thun. Almost 30 employees from the former Materials and Testing Technology section of the Group for Armaments Services (GRD) moved from the Federal Military Department to Empa and thus to a civilian employer.
From the very beginning, the Thun research center saw itself as a nucleus of innovation. In order to work at the forefront of future-oriented technologies and tailor-made materials, it needed not only creativity and outstanding expertise in metal processing and mechanical engineering, but also input from outside. From its early days, Empa created new jobs here, which were filled by international experts. Currently, almost 90 people work here in the two research labs Advanced Materials Processing and Mechanics of Materials & Nanostructures.
Answers to challenging questions from industry
Traditional mechanical, non-destructive materials testing has long since taken a back seat and had been replaced by interdisciplinary materials science in a multicultural environment. In their daily work, the scientists and engineers cross the boundaries between the disciplines of materials science, solid state physics and solid state chemistry in innovative ways. For example, Thun is home to a unique large-scale laser micromachining facility.
What applies to Empa altogether, is also true for the Thun site: Thanks to the many interactions and the inspiring environment, a center of creativity has been established that is now an attractive and established partner for both research institutions and industry. The intensive collaboration with universities in Switzerland, but also throughout Europe and beyond, has led to a steadily growing number of doctoral and Master's students. This goes hand in hand with a strong commitment to teaching, for example at the two ETHs in Lausanne and Zurich and at universities of applied sciences, as well as in numerous courses and workshops for continuing education.
Prof. Dr. Patrik Hoffmann
Advanced Materials Processing
Phone +41 58 765 62 62
Prof. Dr. Johann Michler
Mechanics of Materials & Nanostructures
Phone +41 58 765 62 05
