Researchers develop commercially viable salt batteries for safe energy storage
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) are working on optimising salt batteries. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, these are non-flammable and can therefore be used in hazardous locations in mining or tunnelling as well as on oil and gas
Successful expansion of the “co-operate” research campus in Dübendorf
Empa and Eawag have modernised their research campus in Dübendorf with the completion of three new buildings. The extension, known as "co-operate", provides space for innovative research and strengthens collaboration between the institutes.
Empa repurposes old asphalt
Die Eidgenössische Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (Empa) hat die Wiederverwertbarkeit von altem Asphalt aus Deponien im Strassenbau untersucht. Tests in Uster ZH und auf dem Lukmanierpass haben ergeben, dass das Altmaterial in unterschiedlichen Anteilen problemlos beigemischt werden
Until the chemistry is right
At Empa, Dorina Opris is researching how to synthesise complex electroactive polymers for robotic components, sensors or batteries - a promising project that the European Research Council is currently funding with one of its prestigious "ERC Consolidator Grants". This is not the Empa chemist's
“co-operate” – a model for climate-friendly construction
The future campus of Empa and Eawag is nearing completion; it is intended to become an inspiring space for new ideas and innovations, also with a view to environmentally and climate-friendly construction of the future. The buildings and facilities are full of ideas for saving or generating energy
Empa develops heat-resistant drone for fire brigade
Researchers from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa) and Imperial College London are expanding the range of applications for drones. Together, they are developing a heat-resistant drone that fire brigades can use for fire
Plant-based insulation as a CO2 sink?
Empa researchers want to develop a new type of insulating material from plant-based raw materials from waste, WHICH permanently binds the CO2 it contains by means of a special heat treatment - and thus acts as a CO2 sink. After the buildings have been deconstructed, this "plant carbon" together
Five technologies on the way to net zero
If Switzerland wants to achieve its target of zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, it will have to rely on the use of negative emission technologies (NET), i.e. processes that remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in the long term. Although NETs can in principle help to achieve the
Building insulation – Light masonry
Glass blocks have long been popular in architecture to bring more light into buildings. Until now, however, they have not been suitable for load-bearing walls and have not insulated well. An Empa team has now developed a translucent glass block with good insulation properties thanks to aerogel,
Empa erfindet tragfähige und isolierende Glasbausteine
Ein Team der Eidgenössischen Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (Empa) hat mithilfe von Aerogel Glasbausteine von so hoher Druckfestigkeit entwickelt, dass sie sich auch für tragende Wände eignen. Zudem sind sie wärmedämmend. Jetzt werden Industriepartner
Summertime has a positive effect on the energy balance of office buildings
In a new study, researchers from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research have found a positive effect of daylight saving time on the energy balance of office buildings. Thus, the time change can make a contribution to climate
Intelligent building technology thanks to shared innovation
Smart Buildings versprechen Energieeffizienz und nachhaltige Komfortsteigerung. Bouygues Energies & Services engagiert sich stark in der Entwicklung solch intelligenter, vernetzter Gebäude. Die Empa, eine Forschungsinstitution des ETH-Bereichs, liefert dabei Daten und Erkenntnisse und bietet mit
Empa has a share in the German Civil Engineering Award 2022
Fachleute der Eidgenössischen Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (Empa) haben die kohlefaserverstärkten Kunststoffseile mit Carbon-Hängern für eine neue Netzwerkbogenbrücke in Stuttgart entwickelt. Sie wurde jetzt mit dem Deutschen Ingenieurbaupreis 2022
Empa is researching climate-friendly concrete
Ein Forschungsprojekt der Eidgenössischen Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (Empa) für nachhaltigen Zement erhält eine Fördersumme über 2,2 Millionen Franken aus dem Schweizerischen Nationalfonds. Zusammen mit finnischen Partnern sollen die Forschenden herausfinden, wie sich CO2 am
Empa shows the advantages of high-performance insulating materials
Ein Forscherteam der Eidgenössischen Materialprüfungs- und Forschungsanstalt (Empa) hat das Potenzial von hochleistungsfähigen Dämmstoffen anschaulich gemacht. Dünnere Materialien wie Aerogele rechnen sich schon heute ab einem Quadratmeterpreis von 8000 Franken.