Latest news from Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology on News en-us Copyright 2025 News 115 31 / /images/newswise-logo-rss.gif /articles/urban-green-spaces-are-islands-of-relaxation/?sc=rsin /articles/urban-green-spaces-are-islands-of-relaxation/?sc=rsin Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:00:37 EST 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 actually affect physical and mental stress management. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/flying-robots-unlock-new-horizons-in-construction/?sc=rsin /articles/flying-robots-unlock-new-horizons-in-construction/?sc=rsin Thu, 24 Apr 2025 05:35:08 EST 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 locations or work at great heights. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/artificial-skin-from-hydrogels/?sc=rsin /articles/artificial-skin-from-hydrogels/?sc=rsin Tue, 15 Apr 2025 05:00:40 EST Growing cells in the laboratory is an art that humans have mastered decades ago. Recreating entire three-dimensional tissues is much more challenging. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/alpine-craftsmanship-inspires-new-materials/?sc=rsin /articles/alpine-craftsmanship-inspires-new-materials/?sc=rsin Thu, 10 Apr 2025 08:00:26 EST 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 for load-bearing components in the future - even if produced from lower-quality wood and tree trunks. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/sensors-against-superbugs/?sc=rsin /articles/sensors-against-superbugs/?sc=rsin Tue, 01 Apr 2025 05:00:32 EST 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 a health risk. Empa researchers are therefore working on sensors that quickly identify resistant germs and recommend efficient treatment. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/synthetic-fuels-and-more-thanks-to-machine-learning/?sc=rsin /articles/synthetic-fuels-and-more-thanks-to-machine-learning/?sc=rsin Thu, 27 Mar 2025 05:20:56 EST 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 electrodes for CO2 electrolysis. For this, she has now been awarded the two-year Empa Young Scientist Fellowship. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/when-buildings-plan-around-their-energy-demands/?sc=rsin /articles/when-buildings-plan-around-their-energy-demands/?sc=rsin Mon, 17 Mar 2025 10:50:23 EST 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 and consumption. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/quantum-spin-model-made-from-nanographene-molecules/?sc=rsin /articles/quantum-spin-model-made-from-nanographene-molecules/?sc=rsin Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:00:20 EST 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 for the successful experiment was a kind of "quantum Lego" made of tiny carbon molecules known as nanographenes. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/muscles-from-the-printer/?sc=rsin /articles/muscles-from-the-printer/?sc=rsin Tue, 11 Mar 2025 05:30:39 EST 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 be used in medicine or robotics - and anywhere else where things need to move at the touch of a button. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/new-empa-laboratory-to-unlock-the-quantum-potential-of-carbon/?sc=rsin /articles/new-empa-laboratory-to-unlock-the-quantum-potential-of-carbon/?sc=rsin Thu, 06 Mar 2025 06:50:33 EST 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 the Werner Siemens Foundation. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/from-raw-material-to-an-almost-finished-car-battery/?sc=rsin /articles/from-raw-material-to-an-almost-finished-car-battery/?sc=rsin Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:30:36 EST 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 materials and technologies so that they can be brought to market as fast as possible. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/more-precise-cancer-diagnosis-thanks-to-3d-computed-tomography/?sc=rsin /articles/more-precise-cancer-diagnosis-thanks-to-3d-computed-tomography/?sc=rsin Thu, 20 Feb 2025 10:30:17 EST Empa researchers have developed a new 3D tissue analysis for thyroid tumors. This special X-ray method uses artificial intelligence to enable more precise diagnoses without damaging the tissue removed. In the future, this examination method could also be used for other types of cancer and replace more complex procedures with simpler imaging methods. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/the-molecular-einstein/?sc=rsin /articles/the-molecular-einstein/?sc=rsin Thu, 13 Feb 2025 04:10:31 EST 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 have now also found a chemical solution: a molecule that arranges itself into complex, non-repeating patterns on a surface. The resulting aperiodic layer could even exhibit novel physical properties. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/environmental-research-how-dangerous-are-nanoplastics-for-babies-in-the-womb/?sc=rsin /articles/environmental-research-how-dangerous-are-nanoplastics-for-babies-in-the-womb/?sc=rsin Wed, 05 Feb 2025 07:10:57 EST Allergies and asthma are widespread diseases that could arise during embryonal development in the womb. A team led by Empa researcher Tina Burki is investigating the possible causes of this. The focus is on nanoplastic particles, which could lead to the development of a hypersensitive immune system in the child. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/energy-efficient-cooling-thanks-to-ionic-wind/?sc=rsin /articles/energy-efficient-cooling-thanks-to-ionic-wind/?sc=rsin Thu, 30 Jan 2025 05:50:29 EST 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 data centers and high-performance electronics. The Empa spin-off has already won several awards. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/new-model-for-the-spread-of-infectious-diseases/?sc=rsin /articles/new-model-for-the-spread-of-infectious-diseases/?sc=rsin Thu, 23 Jan 2025 04:40:45 EST The reproduction number R is often used as an indicator to predict how quickly an infectious disease will spread. Empa researchers have developed a mathematical model that is just as easy to use but enables more accurate predictions than R. Their model is based on a reproduction matrix that takes into account the heterogeneity of society. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/concrete-as-a-carbon-store/?sc=rsin /articles/concrete-as-a-carbon-store/?sc=rsin Mon, 20 Jan 2025 05:50:31 EST Mining the Atmosphere, a new Empa research initiative, aims at capturing excess COâ‚‚ from the atmosphere and storing it in building materials such as concrete. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/the-biobattery-that-needs-to-be-fed/?sc=rsin /articles/the-biobattery-that-needs-to-be-fed/?sc=rsin Thu, 09 Jan 2025 05:35:41 EST A battery that needs feeding instead of charging? This is exactly what Empa researchers have achieved with their 3D-printed, biodegradable fungal battery. The living battery could supply power to sensors for agriculture or research in remote regions. Once the work is done, it digests itself from the inside. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/making-the-most-of-switzerland-s-wood/?sc=rsin /articles/making-the-most-of-switzerland-s-wood/?sc=rsin Mon, 16 Dec 2024 06:40:42 EST Sustainable, renewable and good for the climate: Wood is the material of the future. But how much of it do we actually have and how do we make best use of it? Researchers from Empa and WSL have now analyzed the material flows of wood in Switzerland in detail - and discovered untapped opportunities. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology /articles/how-much-co-does-zurich-emit/?sc=rsin /articles/how-much-co-does-zurich-emit/?sc=rsin Thu, 12 Dec 2024 02:45:27 EST To achieve net zero, we need to reduce our COâ‚‚ emissions quickly and efficiently. An EU project involving Empa has selected Zurich as one of three pilot cities in Europe to accurately measure and model their carbon dioxide emissions. The findings will help cities to achieve their climate targets. Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology