Apr 28, 2025 | Coping with stress in a noisy environment
It is hardly surprising that green spaces in noisy cities offer people respite from stress. However, a comprehensive study by Empa and WSL shows for the first time for Switzerland how much these recreational spaces...
Apr 24, 2025 | Potential for airborne construction technologies
An international team led by researchers from Empa and EPFL has explored how in future aerial robots could process construction materials precisely in the air – an approach with great potential for difficult-to-access...
Apr 15, 2025 | Improved understanding of skin diseases
Growing cells in the laboratory is an art that humans have mastered decades ago. Recreating entire three-dimensional tissues is much more challenging. Empa researchers are developing a new hydrogel-based material that...
Apr 10, 2025 | Innovative wood-based materials
Traditional shingle production has inspired researchers at Empa and ETH Zurich to develop new types of wood-based panels made from split wooden sticks. Thanks to an AI-optimized process, these panels should be suitable...
Apr 3, 2025 | Promoting biodiversity
At the end of March, a new type of water pumping system was put into operation in Steffisburg. It ensures that a tributary of the Zulg river continues to be supplied with water despite improved flood protection. This is...
Apr 1, 2025 | Dangerous increase in antimicrobial resistance
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can cause life-threatening infections that are almost impossible to treat with existing medication. As a result, common illnesses such as urinary tract infections or skin wounds are becoming...
Mar 31, 2025 | New leadership role
Dr. Urs Leemann will become Empa's Deputy Director on 1 April 2025, succeeding Peter Richner. A Directorate member since 2012, he brings strategic expertise and a strong focus on innovation.
Mar 27, 2025 | Empa Young Scientist Fellowship
Turning carbon dioxide into valuable substances: That is the goal of Empa researcher Carlota Bozal-Ginesta. In her research project, she wants to combine machine learning and high-throughput experiments to develop better...
Mar 20, 2025 | 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer
The Earth's protective ozone layer is recovering – a success story that started 40 years ago with the Vienna Convention. Global atmospheric measurements are crucial for the regulation and monitoring of ozone-depleting...
Mar 17, 2025 | Making power grids more flexible and stable
In order to guarantee the security of supply of our future energy system, we need not only an expansion of renewable energies, but also sophisticated control mechanisms that efficiently manage production, distribution...
Mar 14, 2025 | A toolbox for quantum research
Empa researchers from the nanotech@surfaces laboratory have experimentally recreated another fundamental theoretical model from quantum physics, which goes back to the Nobel Prize laureate Werner Heisenberg. The basis...
Mar 11, 2025 | Silicone that moves
Empa researchers are working on artificial muscles that can keep up with the real thing. They have now developed a method of producing the soft and elastic, yet powerful structures using 3D printing. One day, these could...
Mar 6, 2025 | CarboQuant: Carbon-based quantum materials
At the end of January, Empa opened a new laboratory that aims to harness quantum effects from carbon. This could pave the way for sustainable quantum technologies, including quantum computers. The project is supported by...
Feb 27, 2025 | Successful European battery project
In a four-year EU project led by Empa, eleven collaborators from research and industry succeeded in significantly improving batteries for electric cars. One of the main objectives of the project was to scale up the new...
Feb 20, 2025 | New diagnostics for thyroid tumors
Empa researchers have developed a new 3D tissue analysis for thyroid tumors. This special X-ray technique uses artificial intelligence to enable faster and more precise diagnoses. In the future, this examination method...
Feb 13, 2025 | One molecule, endless patterns
Is it possible to tile a surface with a single shape in such a way that the pattern never repeats itself? In 2022, a mathematical solution to this “einstein problem” was discovered for the first time. Empa researchers...
Feb 11, 2025 | International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Research thrives on diversity of thought, new perspectives, talent and creativity. By involving and supporting female researchers, today's greatest challenges can be addressed and solved. To mark the International Day of...
Feb 5, 2025 | Environmental research
Allergies and asthma are widespread diseases that could arise during embryonal development in the womb. A team led by Empa researcher Tina Bürki is investigating the possible causes of this. The focus is on nanoplastic...
Feb 4, 2025 | Empa Young Scientist Fellowship
Empa researcher Eve Ammerman wants to bring quantum technologies one step closer to application by combining quantum effects with light. This should enable future quantum-based devices to communicate better with existing...
Jan 30, 2025 | Ionic wind technology: Empa spin-off awarded
Thanks to a new type of airflow booster for ionic wind, completely new fields of application are opening up for the start-up Ionic Wind Technologies. In future, the patented technology is to be used primarily for cooling...