EMPA, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials

Subscriptions Access My Portal

Filtered by:

2023

Aerogels 2024-2034: Technologies, Markets and Players

IDTechEx Report: Dr James Edmondson

Librec

Librec is an EV Li-ion battery recycling start-up, based in Switzerland.

Smart Packaging 2023-2033

IDTechEx Report: Raghu Das

Solid-State and Polymer Batteries 2023-2033: Technology, Forecasts, Players

IDTechEx Report: Dr Xiaoxi He

2022

3D Printing Drones Build and Repair Structures While Flying

3D printing is gaining momentum in the construction industry. Both on-site and in the factory, static and mobile robots print materials for use in construction projects, such as steel and concrete structures. This new approach to 3D printing uses drones, that use collective building methods inspired by natural builders like bees and wasps who work together to create large, intricate structures.

A Water Activated Disposable Paper Battery

A team of researchers have developed a water-activated disposable paper battery. The researchers suggest that it could be used to power a wide range of low-power, single-use disposable electronics - such as smart labels for tracking objects, environmental sensors and medical diagnostic devices - and minimize their environmental impact.

Haptics 2023-2033: Technologies, Markets, and Players

IDTechEx Report: Dr James Edmondson

Smart Bandage Releases Medication as Soon as Infection Starts

A bandage that releases medication as soon as an infection starts in a wound could treat injuries more efficiently. Researchers are currently working on polymer fibers that soften as soon as the environment heats up due to an infection, thereby releasing antimicrobial drugs.

CircuBAT Research Program Set on Reducing Lithium-ion Battery Waste

Green Cubes Technology announced its participation as a founding member in CircuBAT. CircuBAT is a Swiss research program that aims to create a Swiss circular business model for the production, application, and recycling of Lithium-ion batteries.

2021

Shellac for Printed Circuits

More precise, faster, cheaper: Researchers all over the world have been working for years on producing electrical circuits using additive processes such as robotic 3-printing (so-called robocasting) - with great success, but this is now becoming a problem. The metal particles that make such "inks" electrically conductive are exacerbating the problem of electronic waste.

Exaddon

Exaddon is a metal microscale additive manufacturing company based in Switzerland. IDTechEx spoke to Edward White, Marketing Manager at Exaddon.

21.4% Record Efficiency for Flexible Solar Cells

A new efficiency record of 21.4% for flexible CIGS solar cell on polymer film has been achieved. Solar cells of this type are especially suited for applications on roofs, transport vehicles or mobile devices.

Energy Harvesting Wooden Floors

Researchers from Switzerland are tapping into an unexpected energy source right under our feet: wooden floorings. Their nanogenerator enables wood to generate energy from our footfalls. They also improved the wood used in the their nanogenerator with a combination of a silicone coating and embedded nanocrystals, resulting in a device that was 80 times more efficient—enough to power LED lightbulbs and small electronics.

The Biodegradable Battery

The number of data-transmitting microdevices, for instance in packaging and transport logistics, will increase sharply in the coming years. All these devices need energy, but the amount of batteries would have a major impact on the environment. Researchers have developed a biodegradable mini-capacitor that can solve the problem. It consists of carbon, cellulose, glycerin and table salt. And it works reliably.

Invisible "Keyhole" Made of Printed, Transparent Electronics

What initially looks like a simple transparent film conceals a whole new level of security. Invisible buttons are printed with conductive ink on the transparent carrier material, the position of which is known only to insiders. Such circuits can be connected to a door lock as an access code, for instance. If the buttons on the polymer film are pressed in the correct order, the door opens.

Energy Harvesting Smart Floors

Researchers have made wood compressible and turned it into a micro-generator. When it is loaded, an electrical voltage is generated. In this way, the wood can serve as a bio-sensor - or generate usable energy. The latest highlight: To ensure that the process does not require aggressive chemicals, naturally occurring wood-degrading fungi take over the task of modifying the wood.

2020

Turning Streetwear Into Solar Power Plants

Researchers have succeeded in developing a material that works like a luminescent solar concentrator and can even be applied to textiles. This opens up numerous possibilities for producing energy directly where it is needed, i.e. in the use of everyday electronics.

TwingTec

Twingtec was founded in 2013 as a spin-off from leading research and academic institutions in Switzerland. The company is based in Switzerland and at the time of writing has 9 employees. IDTechEx talked to CEO Dr. Rolf Luchsinger.

Flisom

Flisom describes its flexible solar panels as customizable currently, meaning made to customer formats in their factory, developed in the Empa Photovoltaics Laboratory.

Wood Based Biopaste for 3D Printing

A viscous biopaste that is easy to process, solidifies quickly and is suitable for producing even complex structures using the 3D printing process has been developed. The wood-based biodegradable synthetic could potentially be used in lightweight construction, amongst other things.