Empa at the WEF

Innovations made in Switzerland for Switzerland

Jan 28, 2019 | KARIN WEINMANN

Guests from business, politics and science met with researchers from the ETH Domain on the occasion of the World Economic Forum in Davos under the motto "Innovations made in Switzerland for Switzerland".

Tanja Zimmermann, head of Empa's "Functional Materials" department, presents the violin made with Swiss Ebony. Photo: Markus Mallaun, Mallaun Photography

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, who as the new head of the The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) is also responsible for the ETH Domain, welcomed some 60 guests to the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF). Researchers from ETH, EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the Eawag Water Research Institute and Empa then presented projects from their research.

Tanja Zimmermann, member of Empa's directorate and head of the department Functional Materials department, brought along a special violin: Modified Swiss sycamore maple, which offers the characteristics of ebony - sustainable and completely legal. In the future, this should not only prevent overexploitation in the tropics, but also increase the value of the renewable Swiss raw material.

1 / 3

Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin in conversation with Empa Director Gian-Luca Bona. Photo: Markus Mallaun, Mallaun Photography

2 / 3

From left to right: Theirry Strässle (Director PSI a.i.); Joël Mesot (President ETH Zurich); Jürg Schweizer (Head SLF); Janet Hering (Director Eawag); Koni Steffen (Director WSL); Guy Parmelin (Federal Councillor, Head WBF); Gian-Luca Bona (Director Empa); Martin Vetterli (President EPFL); Fritz Schiesser (President ETH Board). Photo: Markus Mallaun, Mallaun Photography

3 / 3

ETH Zürich presents "Cubli": A robotic cube that can jump up, balance, and even move across the desk. Photo: Markus Mallaun, Mallaun Photography

❮ ❯

Further Information

Dr. Tanja Zimmermann
Department Functional Materials
Phone +41 58 765 41 15

Editor / Media Contact

Karin Weinmann
Communications
Phone +41 58 765 44 54