Empa Annual Report 2009

Empa

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www.empa.ch

Annual Report2009

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4ForewordTop notch research and innovative applications create added value

6Research programs

8 Nanotechnology10Adaptive Material Systems12Natural Resources and Pollutants14Materials for Energy Technologies16Materials for Health and Performance

The technical-scientific report

“Empa Activities 2009/2010”,

previous Annual Reports

and further documentation are

available directly from:

Empa

Communication

Überlandstrasse 129

CH-8600 Dübendorf

[email protected]

Content


18Selected Projects

20Nanoelectronics thanks to “exotic” carbon forms 22The future of Solar power24Diamond-like coatings for long-lasting artificial joints26“Intelligent” beds help fight bedsores28Self – a prototype for future living30Bromine and chlorine free flame retardants 32The placenta: “filter” for nanoparticles?34Artificial tendons made of biopolymers36Precise microstructuring of glass fibers38Unwanted legacy from glaciers 40A first step to the hydrogen society 42Direct conversion of waste heat into electricity44sonRAIL: a computer model for quiet trains

58Facts and figures

60Scientific Output60Dissemination of Knowledgeand Technology Transfer61Personnel63Finances64Construction &Operations65Organs of Empa66Organizational Chart

46Empa Inside

48Technology Transfer 50Technology Centers52Empa Academy54Science in Dialog56Marketing57International PhD ProgramSwitzerland – Poland

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Foreword

Top notch researchand innovative applications
create added value
Empa is on track. Together with its academic part-

ners, the institution continues to generate innova-

tive ideas and pass them on to industry and society.

As a first class address for materials science and tech-

nology development, Empa has further extended its

range of activities in 2009, despite a change of leadership

and a five month interim period. The handover proceed-

ed so smoothly that it went practically unnoticed. Empa

is better positioned than ever and is excellently equipped

to meet future challenges thanks to an efficient science

and technology transfer process, innovative applications

and a level of scientific output which has yet again in-

creased.

This is underpinned by a look at the statistics. The num-

ber of scientific publications emanating from Empa’s lab-

oratories in 2009 rose by over 16 per cent in comparison

to the previous year. Over the same period the Swiss Na-

tional Science Foundation, SNSF, approved funding for

more Empa projects than ever before. Moreover, the Fed-

eral Council only recently granted a project drafted by

Empa for an initiative in the area of wood usage, at the

suggestion of the SNSF the status of a new National Re-

search Program entitled “Strategies and Technologies for

the Value-Optimized Utilization of Wood Resources”. The

five year program aims to create a comprehensive under-

standing of wood as a resource – across the board from

its fundamental bio-physical properties to its sustainable

exploitation. In the area of the physical properties of wood,

a joint professorship with the ETH Zurich is being planned,

in addition to other activities.

Just as important for the success of the past year as the

creation of new knowledge were the numerous know-how

transfer projects with partners from industry. Above all

the number of cooperative industrial projects financially

supported by the Innovation Promotion Agency (CTI) in-

creased significantly. However, technologies developed at

Empa also find their way to the market via spin-offs. One

notable example in this context is the young company

“compliant concept”, which is on the verge of launching

an “intelligent” bed onto the market which can prevent

the formation of bedsores in bedridden patients. As a re-

sult of its impressive technical basis and solid business

plan the Empa spin-off was last year awarded a well known

prize for young entrepreneurs.

Apart from this, technology transfer also takes place via

personal interactions, such as through the 160 or so doc-

toral students currently doing research work at the insti-

tution. Countless other Empa alumni have also, of course,

moved on to take up positions in other research organiza-

tions and in industry. So it is not a big surprise that Empa

is named as one of the top ten research institutions of high-

Director


est repute in Europe in a recently published survey con-

ducted by the University of St.Gall.

None of this would have been possible without the pro-

found specialist knowledge, experience and full-blooded

commitment of every single member of the Empa staff.

And whilst on the topic of personnel, the number of fe-

male staff at the institution has once again increased

slightly in 2009. This does not mask the fact that yet more

effort is needed to encourage and support women to fol-

low careers in science and engineering. A recently complet-

ed master’s thesis by a female member of the Empa staff

on equal opportunities has enhanced awareness on this

topic and offered new approaches to tackling the situa-

tion. Ultimately Empa’s industrial partners will also ben-

efit from improvements in this regard, as will society as

a whole.

And finally, a vote of thanks. To all fellow employees of

our institution for their tireless efforts and impressive

work. To my predecessor, Louis Schlapbach, for forging

Empa into the high performance, highly respected mate-

rials science and technology institute it is today. And to

Peter Hofer, who headed Empa on an interim basis in

2009. The culture and atmosphere I have encountered since

joining makes Empa “a great place to be” and gives me

solid grounds to look to the future with great optimism.

Prof. Dr Gian-Luca Bona


Research Programs



Nanotechnology

Better Materials – better products

In 2009, the research program co-ordinated numerous Empa activities in nanoscience and technology and particularly encouragedapplication orientated projects. As a result, the Empa is a competent,reliable partner in nano-research for both industry and society.

The plasma of the Reactive Magnetron Sputter process used to deposit optically transparent hard coatings
of Al-Si-N emits light between the aluminum and the silicon source. The coatings can be prepared in a verywide temperature range.
Characterization of materials on the nanoscaleThe Empa has highly specialized analytical

equipment and well-qualified personnel at

its disposal and is, therefore, in the position

to carry out research projects efficiently and

to offer complex or demanding services. Ad-

ditionally, innovative instruments are devel-

oped at the Empa. For example, the confocal

X-ray adsorption and scanning force micro-

scope (Nano-XAS), developed in collabora-

tion with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI),

has been in operation at the PSI synchrotron

light source since November 2009. This in-

ternationally unique instrument would not

have come to fruition without the combined

competencies of both institutions.

A further instrument for chemical analysis

is the 3D-Nanochemiscope, which is being

developed in collaboration with a German

high-tech company, a Swiss small-medium

company and partners from foreign univer-

sities as part of an EU project. In contrast to

the Nano-XAS project, the 3D-Nanochemis-

cope uses an ion beam instead of an X-ray

beam, thus allowing the analysis of the mo-

lecular structure at the surface.

Better materials through nanoscale effectsHard and tough coatings for machining tools

are of great importance in the metalworking

industry. These coatings allow faster produc-

tion with continually increasing precision.

The implemented coatings achieve their ex-

cellent hardness and toughness through

nanometer-sized crystals embedded in an

amorphous matrix.


Empa-researchers apply their extensive ex-

perience in the field of hard coatings to the

development of optically transparent coat-

ings that are significantly harder than sap-

phire. Experimentalists are working in close

collaboration with theoreticians at the Empa

in order to understand and improve the

hardness resulting from nanoscale effects.

Theoretical calculations of defects formed in

the nanocrystals are carried out on high-per-

formance computers. Variations in the film

thickness and combinations of different ma-

terials allow the production of colored coat-

ings that can be used in, for example, archi-

use on artificial joints has been less success-tecture glass, decorative coatings and color-

coding for surgical instrument

Optically transparent hard coatings of Al-Si-N can be used to generate colored

Assembly of the co(Nano-XAS) at the

wear resistant coatings whenapplied to reflecting surfaces.

From materials to components and equipmentThe Empa not only produces new materials

but also develops new products based on

these materials, for example, to maintain

health and productivity. While some re-

searchers in the research program study the

interactions between cells and implant sur-

faces, others work on projects concerned

with predicting the lifetime of hard coatings

on artificial joint implants in the human

body. Coatings of diamond-like carbon

(DLC) are already widely used in the auto-

mobile industry for wear protection. Their

ful, as explained by Empa researchers (sees.

nfocal X-ray adsorption and scanning force microscopePaul Scherrer Institute (PSI).

08 | 09

Contact

page 24/25). A layer of a few atoms thick-

ness, formed between the DLC coating and

the metal implant, corrodes under physio-

logical conditions leading to delamination

of the DLC. A stabile adhesion layer and a

measurement procedure to estimate the life

expectancy of the DLC coated implant have

been developed. As a result of collaboration

between the Empa and the med-tech com-

pany Synthes, these innovations are in the

process of being put into practice.

Evaluation of Risks and opportunitiesThe assessment of the opportunities and

risks associated with new technologies, in-

cluding nanotechnology, is an important

task of the Empa. In order to motivate discus-

sions between academia, industry and soci-

ety, the Empa brought together the impor-

tant protagonists at the 3rd NanoConvention

in 2009. National and international contrib-

utors presented developments from various

sides at workshops, lectures and discus-

sions, giving an insight into opportunities

and risks, and venturing to forecast future

prospects.

Prof. Dr Hans Josef [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Adaptive Material Systems

Intelligent materials for smart solutions

In 2009, the Adaptive Materials research landscape in Switzerland was marked by the launch of the National Research Program 62 “Smart Materials”. Next to offering an additional source of funding, this program confirms the

dorf.

The Blimp takes off: “Artificial muscles” made of electroactive polymers cause its body to change shape

Empa researchers participated heavily in the

call for projects – and were very successful

in the acquisition of funding: 6 out of 21 ap-

proved projects had been submitted by

Empa, thus showing that Empa’s research in

the field of adaptive materials is extremely

well placed in the Swiss R&D landscape.

CTI Innovation Briefing@Empa In August 2009, a national dissemination

event took place at the Empa Academy,

sponsored by the the Innovation Promotion

Agency (CTI). The goal was to increase the

awareness of the Swiss industry for the tools

made available by CTI to finance mixed ac-

ademic/industrial R&D projects. Additional-

ly, the focus of the event was put on adaptive

materials systems, which also CTI considers

an important vehicle for Swiss Industry to

maintain its competitive edge through inno-

vation. The event was organized and hosted

by Empa and was attended by about 200 per-

sons. The presentations gave Empa a perfect

opportunity to show its contributions in the

field of adaptive materials systems to a pub-

strategic importance of this field of scienc

lic of interested decision makers.

Compliant ConceptThe Empa/ETH Zurich spin-off “compliant

concept GmbH” is developing a dynamic bed

retrofit system for care facilities that pre-

vents pressure ulcers and helps optimize the

care process for bedridden patients (see

page 26/27). The system has received great

interest in the healthcare sector. The spin-

off “compliant concept”, founded only in

May 2009, already won several important

start-up awards such as venture kick stage I

and II, the Heuberger Winterthur Jungunter-

nehmerpreis and venture 2010. It is support-

ed by the CTI start-up program, Genilem and

glaTec, Empa’s technology center in Duben-

e and technology.

and the tail fin to move, lending it a fishlike motion which propels it through the air.

Doctoral student Marcel Birchmeier (right) shows a participant at the CTI Information Event the building condition monitoring system.

10 | 11


Completion of the Blimp Project2009 also saw the completion of the EAP

blimp project. The goal of this demonstrator

project was to develop the world’s first bion-

ic airship propelled by electroactive polymers

(EAP). The airship was constructed at Empa

in collaboration with aeroix GmbH and the

Technical University of Berlin. This lighter-

than-air vehicle with a length of eight me-

ters consists of a slightly pressurized Heli-

um-filled body with a biologically inspired

form; dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators act

as “artificial muscles” deforming the body

and tail fin in a fish-like manner. While the

airship itself was the tangible result of this

research project, a great deal of knowledge

about manufacturing, reliability and control

of large DE actuators could be acquired

along the way and will be the most valuable

benefit for the researchers involved.

Prof. Dr Paolo [email protected]

A bed frame developedby the Empa spin-off“compliant concept” actively changes the position of a bedriddenpatient, so preventingthe onset of bedsores –the scourge of clinicsand hospitals.

Contact

Prof. Dr Edoardo [email protected]

NFP 62 “Smart Materials”

The innovation potential for intelligent materials

is huge. Mastering of such new materials is a

guarantee of competitiveness for Swiss industry,

especially in the watch, machine, med-tech,

pharmaceutical, energy and building technology

sectors. As a cooperation program between the

Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and

the Innovation Promotion Agency (CTI), the

National Research Program “Smart Materials”

(NRP 62) is committed to the development of

new intelligent materials and advancing

promising projects to the R&D stage. NRP 62

will operate with CHF 11million for five years.

(www.nfp62.ch)



http://www.nfp62.ch


Natural Resources and Pollutants

New technologies prevent further damage to the climate

The “Natural Resources and Pollutants” Research Program aims to find ways to reduce resource usage and pollutant emissions by our society. To achieve these goals appropriate technologies and environmental processes are being

because of the improved distribution of the

noble metals.

analyzed and technical solutions being developed. One particular focal area deals with climate-changing gases, above all carbon dioxide, CO2.

Making exhaust gas measurementswith an electro-gashybrid vehicle on

Using an absorption technique based on the quantum cascadelaser, Empa is measuringstable CO2 isotopes

Gas motors instead of petrol in hybrid vehiclesInnovative drive technologies for road vehi-

cles offer the possibility of making significant

contributions to reducing CO2 emissions. To-

day’s hybrid vehicles are driven by a combi-

nation of a petrol engine and an electric mo-

tor, and the available driving performance

depends of the state of charge of the battery.

Empa and the ETH Zurich have developed a

new hybrid concept which is based on a tur-

bocharged, low CO2 emission natural gas en-

gine which provides the greater part of the

driving power. The electric motor is used pri-

marily to compensate for the weaknesses of

the low-volume turbocharged engine such as

the poor starting torque and turbo lag effect.

A smaller and lighter battery can be used com-

pared with conventional hybrids vehicles. In

addition the developers have succeeded in

linking both drive sources to the mechanical

gearbox using one single clutch. This feature

considerably reduces the technical complex-

ity, and therefore the cost of the hybrid vehi-

cle, which, compared with a petrol engine

driven car of the same size and weight, emits

the dynamometertest bed of the Empa.

one third less CO2 and yet maintains the same

level of driving comfort.

Better catalytic converters – made more easilyIn addition to CO2 emissions, the release of

other conventional pollutants must also, of

course, be further reduced. One way of

achieving this is by means of catalytic ex-

haust gas treatment. Empa has developed

new processes, based on thermal spray tech-

niques, for creating nanostructured catalytic

surfaces. The catalytically active layer – the

so-called “washcoat” – is created in a single

step, saving a great deal of time in compari-

son to the conventional wet chemical, multi-

step process. Measurements show that cat-

alytic converters made with the new process

show the same or better catalytic capability,

continuously, for the firsttime worldwide.

Piopipüi

12 | 13


Determining the origin of greenhouse gasesUsing a spectral absorption measurement

technique based on the quantum cascade

laser, Empa researchers have, for the first

time, been able to continuously measure

concentrations of the stable CO2 isotopes in

the atmosphere at the High Altitude Re-

search Station Jungfraujoch. The isotope

patterns allow the scientists to differentiate

between CO2 of biological origin, and CO2which is created by burning fossil fuels. The

combination of this measurement data with

atmospheric transport models uncovers new

methods of determining the origin of such

greenhouse gases and allows emissions from

various geographical regions to be identified.

Polished micro section of an alkali-activated fly ash binder imaged under a scanning electronmicroscope. The round particlesare fly ash, and the matrix between them is formed by the

50 μm

Fly ash mamore envirOne signifi

dioxide is c

dition to th

hydration products which lend the material its strength.

Contact

Dr Peter Hofer

kes cement production onmentally friendlycant industrial source of carbon

ement production, because in ad-

e CO2 generated by the combus-

tion of fuel for heating, during the firing of

the cement clinker the chemically bound CO2in the raw limestone is also set free. New

types of cement are therefore required where

other mineral products at least replace par-

tially the cement clinker. One such possibility

is fly ash, which is produced in large quanti-

ties in coal-burning power stations. Fly ash

consists primarily of glassy aluminosilicates,

and it helps to bind and improve the strength

of concrete during setting, although signifi-

cantly more slowly than cement does. Empa

scientists are investigating ways to accelerate

this process so as to be able to increase the

proportion of fly ash used to make the ce-

ment. This would not only reduce CO2 emis-

sions but also usefully recycle a waste prod-

uct from another industry.

[email protected]



Materials for Energy Technologies

Building the scientific basis for future energy technologies

Mining raw materials to manufacture products that are simply thrown away after use is no longer an option – our raw material resources are limited and willnot last for ever. Burning fossil fuels leads to climate change, and the disposal of radioactive waste is a global, unsolved problem. In this research program theresearchers of Empa investigate the properties of materials and create the

to burn hydrogen for cooking and heating in the “Self”living module.

fundamental science for a sustainable, efftechnology of the future.

Empa’s research activities in the energy field

cover areas ranging from photovoltaic pow-

er generation using renewable energy from

the sun via energy storage materials and sys-

tems to the conversion of stored energy into

work and heat. Fundamental research is an

important part of this activity just as applied

projects with industry, demonstration proj-

ects and product development in start-up

enterprises.

Thin, flexible photovoltaic cellsThin film solar cells made of inorganic semi-

conductor materials can be manufactured

for less than US$ 500 per kilowatt nominal

because of the small quantity of raw mate-

rials they use. The semiconductors involved

are cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper in-

dium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS), and their

ability to absorb light so well means that

they can be used to make flexible solar cells

which are only two to ten microns thick. Sil-

icon solar cells, in contrast, are usually up

to 400 microns thick and are, in addition,

rigid. In terms of conversion efficiency, CIGS

cells already reach values of 16 per cent, a

world record figure.

Flexible photovoltaic cells based on polymers

with dye layers which strongly absorb light

can also be produced cheaply. Using these

cells Empa scientists have already achieved

photoefficiency levels of three per cent, which

again is a record for this type of material (see

page 22/23).

Autonomous living module with hydrogen cycleModern dwelling concepts demand innova-

tive ideas for efficient energy usage. In the

“Self” project (see page 28/29) Empa scien-

tists are using a two-person living module

which is independent of external supplies of

water and energy to put though their paces

systems for the synthesis, storage and use of

hydrogen. The module is heated with hydro-

gen (H2), which is also used as fuel for cook-

ing. Hydrogen is ideal for this purpose be-

cause it generates temperatures of between

200 and 700 degrees Celsius and is easily reg-

ulated. A burner containing ceramic fibers

coated with platinum is used to generate

heat. No source of ignition is necessary for

icient and resource-miserly energy

the catalytic burning process and no envi-

ronmentally damaging waste products such

A stove made of platinum coated ceramic fibers is used

Prof. Dr Andreas Zü[email protected]

fuel cells and is being tested for 18 months

5

Thin film solar cells have reached a record


in every-day operational use. Fuel cells usebreaking 16 per cent efficiency.

The first street cleaning vehicle worldwide powered by fuel ceto day operational use.

as CO2 or NOx are created – just water vapor.

In summer the excess “solar current” gener-

ated will be used to create hydrogen by the

electrolysis of water. The hydrogen will then

be stored in tanks containing metal hydrides.

A hydrogen powered municipal vehicleEmpa and the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)

have, together with Bucher Schoerling, Hydro-

genics, BRUSA Elektronik AG und Messer

Schweiz AG developed a hydrogen powered

municipal street cleaning vehicle which was

first seen in public in Basel in May 2009. The

“Bucher CityCat H2”, as it is called, is the first

such vehicle in the world to be powered by

lls is being put through its paces during 18 months of day

Contact

hydrogen to generate electric power directly,

which is then employed to propel the vehicle.

Since the CityCat’s exhaust contains only wa-

ter vapor, the polluting effect in sensitive lo-

cations such as pedestrian precincts, rail-

way station concourses or closed rooms

(such as exhibition halls) is significantly re-

duced when compared to conventionally

powered cleaning vehicles.

Biofuels – quickly tested for sustainabilityTogether with the University of Applied Sci-

ences, Berlin, (HTW) and the Agroscope

Reckenholz-Taenikon Research Station ART,

Empa has developed a rapid, web based test

for determining the sustainability of biofu-

els. After the user enters the relevant para -

meters from the production process, the test

software links these with background data

and calculates the total environmental load

which results. This is compared to predeter-

mined sustainability criteria, from which the

market chances of various biofuels in, say,

the Swiss market, can be seen. The project

was financed by the Swiss State Secretariat

for Economic Affairs (SECO).

14 | 1



Materials for Health and Performance

Ongoing service to keep well and fit

In order to improve medical implants, advanced materials are required. New concepts benefit from comprehensive mechanical testing of the devices as well as from detailed studies of patients’ anatomical specifications. In a set of interdisciplinary projects Empa researchers develop biomaterials,
biofilm and biomolecules of high quality for use in many medical as well as technical applications.
Rigid body model of the lumbar spineused to calculate the ranges of motion and the facet forces at each

Bioreactor designed for production of microbial biofilms (Pseudomonas putidaand Staphylococcus aureus ) under defined growth conditions.

vertebra level.

Research on Biomechanics to improve orthopedic implantsIn the orthopedic field successful medical in-

terventions involving implants benefit great-

ly from biomechanical as well as patient-spe-

cific considerations of the medical problem

prior to marketing of the device. For this com-

putational and experimental biomechanics

are relevant.

Computational biomechanics helps to under-

stand the kinetics and kinematics within the

musculoskeletal system and to predict defor-

mations and stresses in orthopedic implants

and in the surrounding tissues. Finite Element

Analysis allows to model trauma implants,

instruments, joint replacements, dental im-

plants, rehabilitation equipment, bones and

soft tissues. As this method gives information

on stress and strain distributions as well as

on deformations and reaction forces, it al-

lows researchers to optimize the shape of the

implants.

Experimental biomechanics deals with labo-

ratory experiments and tests in order to char-

acterize new orthopedic implants. Mechani-

cal experiments on biomedical structures

employ force, displacement and strain meas-

urement sensors. Implants are tested in solu-

tion at body temperature in order to simulate

physiological conditions. Research projects

at Empa include e.g. the development of a

proof test set-up for quality assurance of or-

thopedic components such as hip joint balls

and numerical simulations of the muscu-

loskeletal system in order to determine the

loading in the joints and segments within the

human body.

ties on surfac

novel features.


Bacteria with improved enzymes for biopolymer synthesis: Staining with Nile Red indicates increased

BioprocessesEmpa’s interdisciplinary research on Bio-

processes involves molecular, microbiologi-

cal, biochemical and biotechnological meth-

ods as well as process engineering and

chemical analysis. The conversion of educts

into high-value products by microorganisms

or enzymes is one of the key activities. We

develop biomaterials for therapeutic and di-

agnostic purposes, vaccines and bioactive

peptides as well as enzymes for the biosyn-

thesis, modification and degradation of bio-

materials.

polymer synthesis.

New MaterialsThe biotechnological production of new bio -

polymers and their chemical or enzymatic

modification and functionalization are of in-

terest to produce new biomaterials for med-

ical applications. Such biopolymers are bio-

compatible and can be used in numerous

ways: for the development of novel implants

or scaffolds for cell growth, as carriers for

enzymes and proteins in the chip technolo-

gy, for the controlled release of antifoulants

to prevent biofilm formation or as raw ma-

terials for the biotechnological production

of novel pharmaceuticals. Empa researchers

also produce “living biomaterials” in the

form of standardized microbial communi-

16 | 17

Biotransformation and BiocatalysisReplacing individual steps or entire process-

es in chemical synthesis by enzymatic reac-

tions often allows environmentally cleaner,

sustainable production. Enzymatic catalysis

can occur either in whole cells or with iso-

lated proteins. At Empa we search for new

enzymatic activities or improve existing en-

zymes or processes in order to achieve high-

er yields, better quality or purer products. We

clone and express genes of various organisms

in bacteria or fungi, isolate the resulting en-

zymes, characterize them and – if desired –

improve them by genetic means to obtain

Cys

His

Häm

Val-Gln-Lys-Cys-Ala-Gln-Cys-His-Thr-Val-Glu

es called biofilms.

Contact

Dr Katharina Maniura

Model of a miniaturized enzymewith peroxidase activity comprising11 amino acids plus a heme group. This system can be used forvisualization of proteins in proteinanalytics.

[email protected]



Selected Projects



Nanoelectronics thanks to “exotic” carbon forms

Carbon exists in different forms, well known examples being diamond andgraphite. More “exotic” versions of the element include so-called fullerenesand graphenes. Empa researchers have been investigating in detail the latter forms, in particular their electronic properties, and have been
attempting to modify them in specific ways in order to make them useful
of the correct size and distribution.

for nanoelectronics applications.

Fullerenes, the best known exotic form of

carbon, are spherical in shape. The sixty car-

bon atoms in C60, the most frequently-ob-

served fullerene representative, take on the

exact shape of a common football. It is pos-

sible to trap other molecules, including metal-

lic compounds, within these “buckyballs”.

The resulting metallofullerenes demonstrate

unique electronic characteristics which make

them of interest to the IT industry for, as an

example, “nano” data memories. Empa sci-

entists, together with colleagues from Zurich

University, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)

and the Leibniz Institute in Dresden, Ger-

many, have been studying metallofullerenes

which consist of 80 carbon atoms and a tri-

metal nitride unit. The latter is made up of a

nitrogen atom and three metal atoms, the

metal in this case being dysprosium, from

the lanthanides group.

Data storage possible in principleIn the course of their investigation the re-

searchers deposited a molecule-thin layer of

the metallofullerene on a copper surface. They

then observed how the metallofullerenes ori-

ented themselves on the substrate using a

scanning tunneling microscope and photo-

electron diffraction techniques at the “Swiss

Light Source” (SLS), the PSI’s synchrotron

radiation source. They showed that the caged

metal nitrides “sensed” the copper substrate

and adopted suitable orientations. If now the

enclosed metal nitride unit could be made to

flip from one orientation to another by means

of an external stimulus – much like a switch

– this would create a completely new mech-

anism for data storage.

Creating “porous” graphene Graphene is another form of carbon of great

interest to scientists. It consists of a two-di-

mensional sheet in which the carbon atoms

are arranged in hexagons – much like the

structure of a honeycomb. When graphene is

rolled up it forms carbon nanotubes and

when it is piled up in layers then it creates

graphite. Graphene boasts some very special

properties – it is harder than diamond, ex-

tremely resistant to tearing and is an excel-

lent conductor of both heat and electricity. It

is regarded as a potential alternative to sili-

con in the semiconductor industry. The first

graphene transistors are not only much thin-

ner than their silicon equivalents, they are

also much faster. Scientists are attempting to

modify the properties of the material in spe-

cific ways by inserting holes in the graphene

1


Empa researchers, together with c

at the Max Planck Institute for Po

search in Mainz, have recently suc

synthesizing for the first time a g

like polymer containing pores of a

defined size. To achieve this they

molecular building blocks of specia

tionalized” phenyl rings to grow to

form an orderly two-dimensional n

a silver substrate. The result was a

form of graphene, containing po

few atoms across in a pattern that

itself on a subnanometer scale. U

porous graphene has had to be m

lithographic techniques, in which

etched into the graphene layer af

been produced. Holes made by

nique are, however, not just sig

larger but also less evenly and les

distributed than those create

Empa scientists’ “bottom-up”

Metallofullerenes deposited on

Its special properties makegraphene a very interestingmaterial for the IT industry.The structure of “porous”graphene is reminiscent of ahoneycomb (left a structuralmodel of the polymer, right a scanning tunneling micro-scope image).

A model of the metallofullerene structureunder investigation. It consists of 80 carbon

a substrate form ordered islandsof identically oriented molecules.If they could be made to flip fromone orientation to another bymeans of an external stimulus –much like a switch – this wouldcreate a completely new mechanism for storing data.(Color coded scanning tunnelingmicroscope image)

20 | 2

Contact

Prof. Dr Roman Fasel

olleagues

lymer Re-

ceeded in

raphene-

precisely

allowed

lly “func-

gether to

etwork on

“porous”

res just a

repeated

ntil now

ade using

holes are

ter it has

this tech-

nificantly

s densely

d by the

approach.

atoms (light blue) enclosing 3 dysprosiumatoms (red) and a nitrogen atom (dark blue).

[email protected]



The sun provides us with enough energy to meet all our long term energy needs in an environmentally friendlyway. Empa scientists are developing solar cells, based on both classical, inorganic semiconductors and also on organic materials, and the necessary manufacturing techniques, so that solar power can be generated efficiently

The future of Solar power

Solar cells collect the sun’s energy and convert it directly into electric current. (istock)

coating glass. This allows the coating to be

Flexible thin film solar cells “made by Empa”. In addition toimproving the efficiency of thesolar cells, the researchers have

roll form, making the manufacturing pro cess

significantly cheaper.

and economically.

The sun is a source of practically unlimited

energy. Within a single half-hour it delivers

to the Earth enough radiant energy to meet

our entire worldwide annual needs. What

could be more obvious than putting this en-

ergy to good use with photovoltaic devices

which can convert sunlight directly into elec-

trical current? In the past few years photo-

voltaic technology has made enormous

progress and production costs have dropped

significantly. As a result the market for solar

cells has risen on average about 30 per cent

annually over the last decade.

World record for flexible solar cellsAt Empa there are several research groups

working simultaneously on different areas of

photovoltaic technology, one of which is the

further development of thin film solar cell

based on inorganic semiconductor materials

like cadmium telluride (CdTe) and CIGS (cop-

per indium gallium (di)-selenide). The Empa

researchers are aiming to have the best of all

worlds, both in terms of materials and pro-

cessing methods. Success and records are

proving that they are on the right track! With

a conversion rate of 12.4 per cent Empa’s flex-

ible CdTe solar cells are world record hold-

ers. For flexible CIGS solar cells on polymer

foil the current value for Empa material is as

high as 16 per cent, eclipsing by a significant

margin the institute’s own previous world

record of 14.1 per cent. The latter is still the

highest independently-verified value meas-

ured worldwide to date. The secret in mak-

ing these high performance solar cells lies in

an Empa specialty, namely the low temper-

ature coating process for polymer films. The

active layers are applied to the substrate at

temperature of less than 450 degrees Celsius

instead of the 600 degrees usually used for

applied to polymer films, which are light and

flexible. Additionally they can be coated in

also focused on developing eco-nomic manufacturing processes.


Ready to transfer technology to industry Another direction of research led to the de-

velopment of 18 per cent CIGS thin film solar

cells on glass substrates; with application of

anti-reflection coating the efficiency will in-

crease to above 19 per cent. With a low tem-

perature processing CdTe solar cells with 15.4

per cent efficiency are also achieved on glass

substrates. CIGS and CdTe solar cells are

known for excellent intrinsic stability, long

term high performance and potentially low

production cost. The technologies developed

at Empa are ready for transfer to industry.

Rough organic heterojunctionsIn addition to classical semiconductor-based

photovoltaics, Empa scientists are also inter-

ested in developing organic materials such

as polymers which promise to be economic

to produce. This project is, however, still in

its early stages. In this type of solar cell the

active layer usually consists of two materials,

one of which acts as an electron donor and

the other as an electron receptor. Sunlight

creates molecules in “excited states” in the

active layer, which then diffuse to the junc-

tion of the donor and acceptor material lay-

ers. Here, an electron transfer takes place, cre-

ating a positive and negative charge. The

shorter the distance to this interface be-

tween the donor and acceptor layers

and the larger its surface area, the

more frequently these electron trans-

fers occur. The Empa researchers

have therefore developed a new,

two-stage process which gives them

more control over the structure of

the interface surface. In the first stage

a mixture of the active material and a

“guest” polymer is used to create a thin

two-component layer with a very convoluted

boundary surface between them. In the sec-

ond stage the “guest” polymer is removed and

replaced with the second active component.

Contact

Prof. Dr Ayodhya [email protected]

22 | 23

Dyes in solar cellsAnother alternative is offered by dyes, simi-

lar to those used in photography. These mol-

ecules allow the creation of extremely thin

layers, obviating the need for the interface

to be structured. The Empa team has already

gone a step further by synthesizing dyes

which only absorb light in the near infra-red

(NIR) range. Since NIR light is invisible to

the human eye, such substances – and the

solar cells made using them – are colorless,

which means that they could be applied to

window panes.

Organic solar cells “made by Empa”. As an alternative to the established organicpolymers, Empa scientists are also usingdyes, already familiar from photographictechniques.

Dr Frank Nü[email protected]




Diamond-like coatings for long-lasting artificial joints

Extra hard coatings are used to extend the operating lifetime of drill bits,computer hard drives and automobile components. If they work so well with tools and mechanical parts, then why not in artificial joints for humanstoo? In theory, they could. Practical experience shows, however, that suchcoatings often fail. Empa researchers have discovered why this is so, and
developed a process which allows them to predict the usable lifetime of a coating in the body.
Nowadays most drill bits found in a store

have hard coatings, and for professional tools

this feature is of course a must. The coatings,

recognizable by their shimmering gold, gray

or black surfaces, improve the frictional prop-

erties of the part and reduce wear. One par-

ticular hard coating known as Diamond-like

Carbon or DLC has proven its value in com-

puter hard drives, saw blades, embossing

tools, razor blades, fuel-injection nozzles and

various other automotive components. What

could be more logical than putting the espe-

cially wear resistant and long-lived DLC coat-

ing onto medical implants too, for example

artificial joints? This would not only extend

the operating lifetime of the implant, it would

also avoid the creation of the 50 000 nano -

meter sized particles which are rubbed off a

conventional joint with every step the pa-

tient takes, and which may cau

tion and other unwanted effec

se inflamma-

ts in the body.

Only visible with high resolution analysis instruments: bodily fluid has penetrated into acrack (light zone) about five nanometers wide in the reaction layer between the implant

CoCrMo

DLC

Open Crack

Metal Carbides

(CoCrMo) and the DLC layer. This leads to the detachment of the coating.

10 nm


Empa scientists discovered why the implant coatings detached, and together with industrial partners
developed a method of predicting the expected operating lifetime of an implant in the human body prior to implantation. (iStock)
Top in the laboratory DLC has withstood endless tests in the man-

ufacturer’s laboratory and has shown itself to

be well tolerated by human tissue, extremely

hard wearing and resistant to the relatively

aggressive environment in the body. Despite

this, when DLC was used in the human body

serious problems arose. The coatings were

not worn away by mechanical processes, as

might have been expected. Instead, after sev-

eral years of use, and for no apparent reason,

they detached from the surfaces of the im-

plant, mostly alloys of cobalt-chromium mo -

lybdenum (CoCrMo) or titanium aluminum

niobium (TiAlNb).

At this point Empa became involved. It was

only detailed studies of the boundary layers

– the contact surfaces between the different

materials – using high resolution analysis tech-

niques such as Focused Ion Beam (FIB), X-ray

Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Elec -

tron Spectroscopy (AES) and Transmission

Electron Microscopy (TEM) which led to the

answer. The boundary layer represents the de-

ciding factor, as the Empa research team dis-

covered in the course of a project financed by

the Swiss Innovation Promotion Agency (CTI)

and the medical technology company Synthes

GmbH. When two materials adhere well, the

uppermost atomic layer of one material reacts

strongly with the lowest atomic layer of the

other material. This creates a zone which is

only a few atoms thick – the reaction layer, a

new material. The scientists showed that it is

this intermediate layer, which is often over-

looked because it is so thin, that was respon-

sible for the detachment of the DLC layer

since it is not a priori corrosion resistant.

24 | 25

Contact

Dr Roland Hauert

Various damage mechanismsAs an example, in one case stress corrosion

cracking occurred in the thin reaction layer

between the two materials. The mechanical

loading of the part in conjunction with the

penetration of body fluids led to slow growth

of the cracks, which in turn caused the coat-

ing to detach from the DLC-substrate after

some years in vivo. In addition to adhesion

promoting corrosion-stable interlayer, Empa

in cooperation with Synthes and the coating

company Ionbond is developing a process

which allows the crack growth rate under

similar conditions to those met in the human

body (in vitro) to be determined. This then

permits scientists to calculate the expected

operating lifetime of the coated implant in

the human body.

In another case implants failed in vivo due

to coating delamination, crevice corrosion

was responsible for the damage. Over time an

aggressive, acidic medium develops in fine

crevices, slowly dissolving the intermediate

layer which provides adhesion between coat-

ing and substrate. After several years this

caused the unexpected failure of the implant-

ed joint. The test process developed at Empa

was also successfully used with this damage

mechanism to be able to predict the expected

operating lifetime or time to failure of these

implants.

[email protected]



“Intelligent” beds help fight bedsores

Bedsores – or decubitus ulcers, as they are known in medical jargon – are a constant problem in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics because of the severe painthey cause to long-term bedridden patients and the enormous effort required totreat them. In the battle against bedsores researchers from the Empa spin-off “compliant concept” have developed a retrofit system to treat this condition with
the aim of simplifying the elaborate treatment currently necessary and bringing
the bedridden patient.

technical matters.

the costs down to reasonable levels.

A healthy person changes position several

times an hour when asleep, a subconscious

protection mechanism. Long-term bedridden

patients, on the other hand, are generally not

capable of doing this due to their poor phys-

ical condition. When a part of the body is sub-

jected to pressure as a result of the body’s

own weight over an extended period, this

can cause a decubitus ulcer, or bedsore in

common parlance. The pressure prevents the

blood from circulating properly in the affect-

ed part, which no longer receives an ade-

quate supply of oxygen and therefore gradu-

ally dies. What makes the condition so de-

bilitating is that bedsores heal very poorly

and they are extremely painful. In severe cas-

es the wound may be so deep that the suf-

ferer’s bones or inner organs are exposed,

and then bedsores can be life-threatening.

To prevent bedsores staff in a clinic or nurs-

ing home must move patients every two or

three hours to a new position. The continu-

ous necessity for this activity represents an

enormous physical burden for the nursing

staff and frequently causes them muscular

pain and back problems. To turn a patient

weighing 70 kilograms in bed requires not

just a special technique but also a good deal

of strength.

Lack of trained nursing personnel According to a study by the Swiss Health Ob-

servatory (Obsan) and the “Careum” Foun-

dation, by the year 2030 there will be a short-

fall of up to 190 000 staff in the healthcare

sector. Already today there is a lack of trained

healthcare staff. Putting this another way,

the currently available personnel are forced

to care for more patients than they should, a

situation which can have extremely grave

consequences for bedridden patients in the

form of bedsores, which can develop within

just a few hours.

While it is true that there are some aids to

the prevention and treatment of decubitus

ulcers available on the market, these all suf-

fer from significant disadvantages. Either

they require a great deal of effort by nursing

staff to use, or they have negative effects on

the perception and bodily sensations of the

sufferer, or both. The latter effect can lead to

further disorientation and demobilization of

The Empa spin-off

“compliant concept”

“compliant concept’s” novel nursing system

is the work of an interdisciplinary team that

includes Emeritus Professor of Medicine Walter

O. Seiler. The research and development work

is carried out by erstwhile Empa researchers.

The prototypes are produced by the Hochschule

für Technik Rapperswil, and the following firms:

Festo AG, Bigla Care, Wissner-Bosserhoff,

Nauer AG, Sarna Plastec AG, Produ-Plast AG,

and Qualicut AG. Practical know-how is

provided by OBA AG, a specialist for nursing

bed mattresses. In medicinal areas “compliant

concept” is advised by the Swiss Paraplegics

Center and the University Hospital, Basel.

Empa and the ETH Zurich act as consultants for

[email protected]


Joint-free, compliant ribs foran adaptive car seat concept.Relieving pressure is alsohelpful for truck drivers onlong delivery trips.

Critical locations for bedsore development are identified using a pressure sensitive mat, in order to optimize the control of mattress movement.

Contact

Dr Michael Sauter

26 | 27

With “smart” materials against decubitus The Empa spin-off “compliant concept” has

developed a novel nursing retrofit system

which imitates the movements which a

healthy person makes during sleep and

should therefore prevent patients in hospi-

tals and nursing homes from developing bed-

sores. A cleverly designed system consisting

of an active slatted frame made of “intelli-

gent” structures together with a special mat-

tress should ensure that a bedridden user

does not remain in the same position for too

long. Instead the patient is so gently shifted

around that he or she hardly notices the

movement, thereby helping to prevent the

onset of bedsores. In addition this can also

encourage the patient to use his or her re-

maining mobile capability. The novel system

was developed by researchers from “compli-

ant concept” together with the Hochschule

für Technik, Rapperswil, and private indus-

try, with financial supported from the Swiss

Innovation Promotion Agency (CTI). The de -

vice should help to significantly reduce the

level of effort necessary by nursing staff, free-

ing time for them to devote to other tasks and

allowing them to offer more intensive care to

their patients.



Self – a prototype for future living

The two sister research institutes Empa and Eawag are puttingnew building concepts and energy technologies to the testwith “Self”, a modern dwelling module for living and working.The module is self-sufficient in terms of water and power consumption, and comes complete with a bedroom, bathroom
and kitchen.
The “Self ” living module requires no external water or electric supplies. In March it endured wintery conditions on the shores of Lake Sihl near Einsiedeln.

The “Self” dwelling unit is conceived as a

living and working module for two people. It

is the size of studio flat or small apartment

and is independent of external supplies for

water and electric power. Since “Self” is eas-

ily transported and can be located practically

anywhere, it is particularly suitable for tem-

porary use in a very wide range of applica-

tions – as a mobile research station, for exam-

ple, or as a dwelling for event organizers, or

even a live-in advertising unit. The possibil-

ities are almost endless!

Two students of the Zurich University of the

Arts have chosen the Empa concept house

for their final-year degree project. They have

been working at Empa since 2008 on the im-

plementation of their design study. As a re-

search and demonstration project, “Self” is

intended to prove that it is possible to live

without restrictions on the level of comfort

enjoyed – at least temporarily – even though

only natural sources of energy are used.

9

is, th

ogen f

cause of the fire and the operational experi-

ence gained so far will be taken into account.

[email protected]


Putting the to the testHardly any o

reflects the “s

open market

made of spec

components.

ple is made o

sandwich sh

provided by h

els. A heat ex

ing air using h

the water fil

power and th

ter per flush.

In addition t

the practical

the test – that

usage of hydr

Independent of external water and electricity supplies“Self” is 7.7 meters long, 3.45 meters wide

and 3.2 meters high. Weighing in at just about

six tons, the dwelling cube is light enough to

be transportable by truck or helicopter. The

main challenge for the designers was how to

integrate the technology, supplies and physi -

cal space efficiently and without loss of com-

fort. The technical know-how, on the other

hand, was provided by Empa and Eawag as

well as partner institutions and companies.

In order allow for two people to be able to

live in the module for extended periods with-

out external supplies of water and electric

power, rainwater falling on the roof is collect-

ed and treated to provide drinking water. At

the same time lightly contaminated waste

water (“gray water”) is also recycled.

“Self ” combines technology, utility supplyand space usage efficiently and yet withoutloss of comfort, as illustrated by the images.Clockwise: living room, kitchen, sleepingquarter, washroom/shower. (Boris Adolf)

latest building technology

f the “Self” module’s features

tate of the art” available on the

. In fact nearly everything is

ially designed and tailor made

The building shell, for exam -

f fiberglass reinforced polymer

eets, and thermal insulation is

igh performance vacuum pan-

changer warms up fresh incom-

eat from the exhaust air stream,

ter uses practically no electric

e toilet uses only one liter of wa-

he project is being used to put

uses of hydrogen technology to

28 | 2

ing and heating. The hydrogen is produced

by electrolysis using environmentally friend-

ly electrical power generated by solar cells

on the roof of the module. Until it is needed

the hydrogen is stored in containers filled

with metal hydrides, also an Empa-devel-

oped novelty.

“Self 1” destroyed by fireOn Good Friday 2010 a technical fault led to

the complete destruction of the “Self 1” living

module. Despite this serious setback, Empa

is determined to continue with the project and

plans for a “Self 2” are already being drawn

up. The results of the investigation into the

e production, storage and

or such purposes as cook-

Contact

Mark [email protected]

Dr Adriano Joss

Housing technology in limited space. (Boris Adolf)




Bromine and chlorine free flame retardants

Application of flame retardant to textile materials makes themresistant to heat and flame. Empa scientists have developed
organo-phosphorous compounds which offer an alternative to the conventional, controversial, halogena
A small fire can very quickly turn into a dis-

aster. If it breaks out in a closed room, people

inside have just few minutes to get to safety.

After this time the chances of survival drop

dramatically because fire can easily spread in-

credibly fast. Even large rooms such as cine-

ma halls, theatres and discotheques can rap-

idly become death traps in the event of fire.

To help prevent fire accidents, stringent reg-

ulations are enforced to ensure that only ap-

propriate materials are used, i.e for textiles

used for theatre curtains and upholstery for

aircraft seats. Flame retardant additives for

textiles are intended to increase their resist-

ance to heat and flame exposure, thereby in-

creasing the chance of people to escape fire

accidents.

In addition to fire safety considerations, tex-

tiles must also meet other requirements, some

of which demand very high performance.

They must be resistant to various mechanical

and chemical actions during various manu-

facturing processes. Textiles which are in-

applied, such as those governing the choice of textilematerials. (iStock)

ted flame retardants.

tended to be worn or sat upon must also feel

comfortable to the skin. Textiles are regularly

washed and thus should retain all original

flame retardant properties and confer to flame

retardant regulations even after repeated

washings. Additionally, flame retardant tex-

tiles must be economical.

An alternative to halogenated flame retardantsHalogenated compounds containing bromine

and chlorine were for a long time the flame

retardants of choice. Over the past few years

they have raised environmental concerns.

Some of them decompose very slowly and

accumulate in the environment, and uncon-

trolled incineration may release highly toxic

substances such as halogenated furanes and

dioxins into the atmosphere. Thus, their usage

is regulated and some of them are banned.

Formaldehyde is used as an active ingredient

in some textile flame retardants to help co-

valent linkage to substrates. Formaldehyde is

considered as a carcinogen, and thus form -

alde hyde-free textile flame retardants are

needed. Existing formaldehyde-free cross -

linking agents cannot be used with all types

of flame retardants and hence search for

newer formaldehyde-free crosslinkers is also

gaining importance.

When fire breaks out, closed rooms can rapidly becomedeath-traps. For this reason stringent regulations are


In addition to fire safety considerations, textiles must also meet other requirements, some of which demand high performance. They should, for example, as far as possible be comfortable to wear.

250

200

150

100

100 200 300 400 500

T [°C]

Untreatedcotton

TEP

PAHEDE

HR

R, W

/g [

1% P

]

DEPA

50

0

Heat release measured with untreated cotton textile compared to those treated with various flame retardants (TEP, PAHEDE, DEPA). Treated cotton begins to thermally decompose at lower temperatures and releases less heat – in the case of PAHEDE onlyabout 50 per cent of that released by untreated cotton.HRR: Heat Release Rate in Watt/gram, measured with a pyrolysis combustion
flow calorimeter. 1% P: Flame retardant content: the total phosphorous content is maintained at 1 per cent by weight of the cotton.
30 | 31

Contact

Hansruedi Schmid

Alternative flame retardants containing phosphorousPossible alternatives are phosphorous based

flame retardants. Empa researchers have been

investigating a class of organic phosphorous

compounds known as a phosphoramidates.

The core of these molecules is a phosphorous

atom linked to three oxygen atoms and a ni-

trogen atom. Scientists are able to link differ-

ent functional groups to the oxygen and ni-

trogen atoms to create potentially new flame

retardants. The newly synthesized compounds

are then applied to cotton textile materials and

their flame resistance and thermal decompo-

sition property for the treated material is fur-

ther analyzed. The tests show that cotton treat-

ed with phosphoramidates carbonizes cotton

at a lower temperature than the untreated ma-

terial, and also releases less heat during the

decomposition process.

The flame retarding characteristics can be

improved by using more suitable functional

groups on the phosphoramidate molecule. In

general these phosphoramidates possess

properties which are similar to or even better

than conventional flame retarding agents. In

future studies researchers intend to modify

the phosphoramidate molecules to contain

functional groups which can crosslink to

substrates on their own.

[email protected]



The placenta: “filter” for nanoparticles?

The question of whether nanoparticles have an effect on the human body – and if so, then how – touches on an area about which not much isknown. There is little information, for instance, on whether pregnant women exposed to these minute particles pass them on to their unborn babies. Scientists from Empa and the University Hospital Zurich have been
studying this question with the help of a human placenta perfusion model.
placenta also ensures that the circulatory sys-

tems of the mother and fetus do not mix.

The unborn child is supplied with nutrients and oxygen via the placenta, which also ensures that the two blood circulation systems do not mix. (iStock)

Nanotechnology is not only expected to help

overcome existing challenges in the worlds of

medicine, energy supply and environmental

protection, it is also regarded as the mo-

tor of innovation for the Swiss econo-

my. However, this new technology

will only be able to establish it-

self over the long term if the po-

tential risks associated with it

– such as those posed by free

nanoparticles – are fully inves-

tigated and understood.

Over several years, Empa re-

searchers have been studying

the effects which various nano -

particles have on human cells and

tissue. This investigation will help

scientists to understand what problems –

if any at all – these tiny things might cause

when released into the human body (and in

the environment). As part of this effort, two

years ago scientists from Empa and Zurich’s

University Hospital began research on the NP

transport across the placenta, an organ which

acts as a filter between the mother and her

unborn child. Responsible for supplying the

fetus with sufficient nutrients and oxygen, the


During the investigation polystyrene nanoparticles wereinjected into the mother’s bloodsupply. Scientists then observed

1 μm

whether these were able to pass into the baby’s blood supply.

Is it a barrier for nanoparticles?The researchers wanted to know if nanopar-

ticles were able to cross the placental barrier.

Established animal models, such as those for

mice and rats, cannot be used for this pur-

pose as the placenta in these creatures is fun-

damentally different from that of the human

being. Normally it is not easy to carry out sci-

entific investigations on placental tissue, but

several mothers who gave birth to their ba-

bies in the hospital agreed to allow the re-

searchers to use their placentas for this study.

In the laboratory it is possible to maintain

both the mother’s and the baby’s circulatory

systems (which are closely linked) for sever-

al hours in these donated organs. The inves-

tigation required the researchers to add flu-

orescent polystyrene nanoparticles to the

mother’s blood circulation and then observe

if they were able to pass into the fetal circu-

lation. Polystyrene particles are particularly

suitable for this kind of test as they do not

cause stress in the surrounding tissue and

are easily detected.

Both the mother’s circulatory system and thatof the fetus can be main-
tained for several hours inthe laboratory.
32 | 33

Learning to understand the transportmechanismThe particles injected into the placenta were

of different sizes, ranging from 50 nanome-

ters up to half a micron (500 nanometers).

The first result of the study was that the cut-

off size of the beads was between 200 and

300 nanometers. Particles smaller than this

range, crossed the placental barrier and en-

tered the fetal circulation while larger parti-

cles were held back. The fact that particles

below a certain cutoff size are able to pass

through to the placental tissue to the fetal

circuit is not really unexpected, but the phe-

nomenon must certainly be subject to fur-

ther study. The investigators from Empa and

the University Hospital Zurich are therefore

keen to understand the mechanism by which

the particles are transported across the bar-

rier – in both directions. They are not doing

this purely for the love of research, though.

They would like to determine how, in future,

nanoparticles might be used for therapeutic

purposes. The tiny particles could feasibly be

employed as a vehicle to transport medicines

in a targeted fashion to the circulatory system

of an unborn child, without this affecting the

mother’s health.

Contact

Dr Peter Wick
[email protected]


Surgeons are using synthetic materials to treat torn tendons ever morefrequently. An interdisciplinary team of Empa scientists has developed a synthetic tendon made of bicomponent fibers which degrades in

Artificial tendons made of biopolymers

of polyhydroxyalkanoate and a sheath of

polylactate.

the body after completing its job of providing support to the damagedtissues.

can snap when subject to extreme loading such as whenplaying tennis or snowboarding.

Tendons do an incredible job – an Achilles’

tendon, for example, can carry about ten

times the body’s weight. In order to under-

stand what material properties make ten-

dons so amazingly strong and tear-resistant,

and to apply this knowledge to help develop

novel synthetic tendons, Empa engineers, bi-

ologists and textile scientists began work on

the “PHATendon” project. They carried out a

literature search, questioned medical experts

and tested sheep tendons in the laboratory

to study such things as their properties un-

der tension. At the end of this phase of the

project, the scientists knew all the mechani-

cal parameters necessary to make an “ideal”

tendon.

The idea behind the research was to develop

an artificial tendon which was biocompati-

ble, elastic and could withstand heavy loads.

The synthetic tendon would provide support

to a torn human tendon and allow it to repair

itself, but only remain in the body for as long

as necessary for the healing process to com-

plete. The body’s own cells would attach them-

selves to the temporary substitute and multi-

ply, gradually replacing the damaged tissue.

After a suitable period of time, the synthetic

material would degrade and disappear.

Calcaneous

Achilles‘ tendon

Vastusmedialis

Vastuslateralis

Even the thickest tendon in the body, the Achilles’ tendon,

Polymers harvested from bacteria and spun into fibersBacteria provide the required material. Re-

searchers from Empa’s Biomaterials Labora-

tory cultured micro-organisms in a bioreac-

tor which produce polyhydroxyalkanoates or

PHAs, a family of natural biopolyesters. These

biopolymers have different characteristics de-

pending on which bacteria are used to pro-

duce them and what fatty-acids they are fed

on. To be useful for making artificial tendons

the material must not only be well tolerated

by the body, strong and elastic but also easy to

purify and capable of being spun into fibers.

The purified biopolymer material was then

made into fibers in Empa’s Melt Spinning

Plant. Specialists from the institution’s Ad-

vanced Fibers Laboratory used a method with

which they can spin filaments made of sev-

eral components, allowing different biopoly-

mers to be married together. In this manner

it is possible to exactly configure the required

characteristics of the final product, for exam-

ple how long it takes to decompose in the

body. The biopolymer which the project team

believes has the greatest potential has a core

P


iopipüi

The biopolymer fibers, which are produced in Empa’s Melt Spinning Plant, are woven into fabric and used as implants for in vivo experiments on rats.

100 µm

Connective tissue cells (fibroblasts, see yellow circles) growing on a textile surface made from biosynthetic material.

Woven material of multicomponent fibers (see arrow) is surrounded by denser connective tissue cells.

10 mm

200 µm

34 | 35

Contact

Dr Manfred Zinn

Biocompatibility and mechanical tests successful Researchers from the Materials-Biology Inter -

actions Laboratory have studied the biocom-

patibility of the raw material in cell cultures

with human cells known as fibroblasts. The

fibroblasts attached to the bicomponent fibers

and grew along them, completely surround-

ing them after a few days.

The spun filaments were then woven to tex-

tiles and then tested for elasticity, stretchabil -

ity and tear resistance in the Mechanical Sys-

tems Engineering Laboratory. Scientists used

the same test bed with which they had meas-

ured the ovine Achilles’ tendons at the start

of the project. The result: The data on the new

Empa tendons were similar to that measured

with sheep tendons.

To ensure that the synthetic material did not

cause any negative effects in animals, medical

experts from project partner AO Davos im-

planted artificial tendons made of the woven

polymers into rats and observed them for four

months. Initial results of investigations made

by the Ludwig Maximilian University in Mu-

nich showed that the muscle tissue surround-

ing the artificial tendon was not inflamed

and that the animals did not react to the im-

plant as a foreign body. Thanks to these en-

couraging results Empa can now begin fur-

ther development of the synthetic tendons in

cooperation with a partner from the medical

technology branch.

[email protected]



Precise microstructuring of glass fibers

To develop a lens which is smaller in diameter than a human hair and yet focuses light very accurately calls for the use of special methods. Empa researchers have managed to optimize the “Focused Ion Beam” technique to allow them to fabricate curved structures with high precision.
This process is of interest, for example, in the manufacture of prototypes
o

it and make it more robust. In order to shape

the end of a fiber into a microlens a Focused

The electron microscope image shows a section through a microlens created using the FIB.

in the fields of photonics and microelectr

Nowadays the use of glass fibers is no longer

reserved solely for special applications – they

are also used in private households. Glass

fibers are probably the best known form of

fiber optic waveguides, transmitting signals

optically in the form of light pulses, rather

than electrically as in conventional copper

wires. Optical transmission techniques offer

much higher data rates, that is, the quantity

of information transmitted in time – up to

levels of Terabits per second. Data-intensive

computing applications profit most from this

high transmission rate, including for instance

the exchange of information between com-

puter centers and banks or universities, but

also internet downloads and telephony or on-

line gaming.

Glass fibers are not only used for long dis-

tance data transmission though. They are be-

ing used ever more frequently to interconnect

microelectronic components such as proces-

sors within a rack or on a circuit board. Pho-

tonics deals with both optical transmission as

well as optical processing and data storage

techniques. In order to ensure that the data

transmission between individual components

functions correctly it is necessary to control

the shape of the light beam as it enters or

leaves the glass fiber. One way of doing this

nics.

is to integrate a microlens to the end of the

fiber. Scientists involved in research and, in

particular, prototype manufacturing are par-

ticularly interested in this method, which al-

lows them to create three-dimensional struc-

tures on the nanometer scale in an extremely

precise and reproducible manner.

As thin as a human hairGlass fibers are very fine structures. The fiber

consists of a core which has a diameter of just

five to ten micrometers and a cladding with

a diameter of 125 micrometers, which is about

the thickness of a human hair. The light beam

is transmitted through the core. Layers of syn-

thetic material surround the fiber to protect

The “Focused Ion Beam” instrument is ideal for preciselyshaping fiber optic devices, for example glass fibers.

1 µm

7


1.0

0.8

Nor

mal

ized

inte

nsit

y

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0-2 210

Transversal direction [µm]-1

Ion Beam or FIB system

strument works in the

ning electron microscop

instead of electrons. No

to image surfaces, it can

them, with ions knockin

surface in a controlled

difficult to precisely sh

al structure in this way

effects arise in deep s

slopes required to form

this problem a team of E

succeeded in optimizin

fabricate the required

precision.

Glass fibers are becoming ever more popularfor telecommunication applications. With diameters about that of a human hair, precise methods must be use to shapetheir ends. (iStock)

Empa researchers test the quality of a microlens by comparing the optical properties calculated by computer
simulation (red line) with the mthe SNOM (blue circles).
can be used. This in-

same way as a scan-

e, though it uses ions

t only can it be used

also be used to shape

g out atoms from the

way. However, it is

ape three-dimension-

because non-linear

tructures with steep

microlenses. Despite

mpa researchers has

g the FIB process to

structures with high

easurements made with

36 | 3

Optimized method produces the required structuresAfter shaping the microlens the researchers

measured its dimensions in order to check its

quality. Because the focal length was only

about five micrometers and the light is focused

to a point less than a micrometer across they

had to use a special measurement system

known as Scanning Near-field Optical Micro-

scope or SNOM. While optical microscopes

are not suitable for viewing such small objects

due to the diffraction limit, the SNOM side-

steps this problem by only using light which

is exchanged between the microscope probe

tip and the object itself, which is scanned very

close to the surface. This gives a resolution

well below the diffraction limit.

The test results demonstrated that the meas-

urements with the SNOM and computer sim-

ulation data were in satisfactory agreement.

The FIB is therefore an ideal instrument to

shape locally various kinds of optical struc-

tures such as photonic crystals, crystal fibers

and planar waveguides, as well as glass fibers

themselves with high precision.

Contact

Dr Rolf Brönnimann
[email protected]


Unwanted legacy from glaciers

Everything that a glacier collects and conceals in its ice mass over aperiod of many years eventually comes to light when it finally melts.This is also true for so-called POPs (persistent organic pollutants),man-made organic substances which break down very slowly undernatural conditions. Empa researchers have analyzed sediment layers taken from a glacial lake and have been able to identify the
melting glacier astances.
s a secondary source of these long-banned sub-

Taking samples from Lake Stein. In order to adequately stabilize the drill usedto extract the sample cores the lake must be frozen.

When glaciers shrink as a consequence of

global warming, the receding tongue expos-

es items that have been concealed in the ice

mass for decades or even centuries. This in-

cludes chemical substances which were

banned years ago such as POPs, persistent

organic pollutants which degrade very slow-

ly. Belonging to this category of chemicals

are compounds used for example as plasti-

cizers (softening agents) and pesticides, as

well as dioxins. Many of these POPs are en-

docrine disrupters, carcinogenic and are sus-

pected of interfering with the development

of humans and animals. In addition they are

extraordinarily long-lived and can be trans-

1990

1989

1988

1987

1986

1985

1984

1983

1982

Scientists can read the sediment layers in a drillcore like the rings in a tree trunk. (Eawag)

to be increasing. The levels of these chlorine


ported huge distances through the atmos-

phere, which explains why they are found

practically everywhere across the globe –

even in glaciers, in the middle of high alpine

ecosystems, some of which are extremely

fragile.

Drill cores extracted from a glacial lakeWhen glaciers melt, the runoff washes the

POPs out into glacial lakes, where they sink

to the bottom and accumulate in sediment.

This has happened – and is still happening –

in the Lake Oberaar, which has been inves-

tigated by a combined research group from

Empa, ETH Zurich and Eawag. This lake, an

artificial reservoir formed upstream of a dam

built in 1953, lies in the Bernese Oberland

close to the Grimsel Pass at an altitude of 2300

meters above sea level and collects melt wa-

ter from the Oberaar Glacier. In the winter of

2006 scientists extracted drill cores from the

sediment of the frozen lake, cut them into

slices and freeze-dried the samples. Empa

chemists analyzed the different layers of sed -

iment and were able to confirm that from

1960 to 1970 large quantities of POPs were

produced and emitted into the atmosphere,

with some accumulating in the bottom of

alpine lakes. It was also clear that the ban-

ning of these substances at the beginning of

the 1970’s resulted in a massive reduction in

their concentrations in sediment layers dat-

ing from that period.

Renewed increase of POP levels in most recent sediment layersAt least as impressive, and just as surprising,

was the fact that the concentrations of POPs

in the most recent sediment layers were found

[email protected]

In Empa’s laboratories thedifferent sediment layerswere analyzed for variouschemicals, including POPs.

38 | 39

Contact

Dr Peter [email protected]

Dr Christian [email protected]

Prof. Dr Flavio Anselmetti

containing substances at the end of the 1990’s

was actually higher in some cases than in the

1960’s and 70’s. One possible explanation for

this phenomenon lies in the fact that the lake

is primarily fed by melt water runoff from

the Oberaar Glacier, whose tongue has re-

treated by about 1.6 kilometers since 1930.

In the past decade alone it has shrunk by 120

meters and has therefore recently released a

relatively large quantity of stored pollutants.

This proves for the first time what environ-

mental researchers have long suspected,

namely that glaciers represent a secondary

source for the renewed emission of POPs and

similar pollutants into our ecosystems which

must be taken seriously.

Scientists from Empa, ETH Zurich, PSI and

Eawag – including chemists, glaciologists and

sedimentologists – are now planning to study

the pathways which pollutants take in the

“eternal ice” in more detail. The aim is to

find out how glaciers store POPs, what paths

they take within the glacier, what chemical

changes, if any, they undergo when subject

to strong UV light and whether we can ex-

pect to see even higher levels of these pollu-

tants in the future.





A first step to the hydrogen society

Using hydrogen as a fuel could free us from our dependency on oil, gas and coal. However, in contrast to the naturally occuring fossil fuels, hydrogen must first be produced – by usingrenewable energy, of course. Empa has developed a conceptualdesign for such a system, based on the sustainable hydrogen cycle,for its site in Duebendorf.

Photovoltaic cells could be installed on the roofs of the buildings on Empa’sDuebendorf site, an area of some 5500 square meters. They would provide

th

Empa’s hydrogen specialists have set them-

selves an ambitious target – together with an

interdisciplinary team of scientists, they aim

to make the dream of setting up an environ-

mentally friendly hydrogen based energy

supply at the institution’s Duebendorf prem-

ises come true. In a few years the roofs of the

buildings on the site could all be a shimmer-

ing blue color, for up to 5500 square meters

of roofing could be used to support a large

photovoltaic system, about as large as a soc-

cer field in fact. The electric current generat-

ed by the solar cells would be used to power

a new, appropriately sized electrolysis system

which splits water into its constituent ele-

ments hydrogen and oxygen.

The hydrogen so produced should be enough

to fuel around a score of motor cars, which

is about the entire fleet of Empa and Eawag

vehicles. Instead of obnoxious gases, only

harmless water vapor would emerge from

their exhaust pipes. In addition, several Empa

laboratories would be able to make use of the

hydrogen as a raw material.

One controversial point, however, is whether

photovoltaic systems make sense in Central

Europe’s rather cloudy climate. On the sub-

ject of energy supplies in the post fossil fuel

age, one automatically tends to think of enor-

mous solar farms in the Sahara or other desert

power for

areas of the world. Despite this, Empa’s ex-

perts point out that the amount of solar en-

ergy which falls on the Duebendorf site is still

half that in the desert regions of the Earth.

Bearing this in mind, they are convinced that

photovoltaic power generation will pay off in

Central Europe too.

Implementing the project despite alack of fundingThe cost of the planned hydrogen project is

estimated at CHF 1.5 million. To Empa’s dis-

appointment, no public funding organization

is willing to support the idea of installing a

hydrogen cycle plant on its premises. Despite

this blow, the researchers plan to implement

e electrolysis plant, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.

the system one step at a time. The pilot proj-

ect involves several of Empa’s core research

40 | 41


areas, above all photovoltaics and combus-

tion engine research.

The institution’s own on-site refueling sta-

tion will shortly be converted to supply nat-

ural gas, giving scientists the opportunity to

gain experience in handling gaseous fuels

and laying the groundwork for developing a

safe and simple hydrogen fuelling system.

The other components necessary to complete

the installation, such as the electrolysis plant

and the hydrogen storage system, should also

be constructed during 2010 in

research activities.
Contact
Prof. Dr Andreas Züttel

H2

H2O H2O

H

OH-

OH-e-

AnodePhotovoltaics

Storage

Conversion into work

Electricity Oxygen (O2)

Production(Electrolysis)

ElectrolyteKOH/H2O

e-

Cathode

O2

O2

H2O

O2H2

Water (H

2 O)

Hyd

rog

en (

H2)

Hyd

ro

gen (H2)

Oxy

gen

(O

2)

Materials Science & Technology

the course of

The theory behind the hydrogen cycle: the environmentally friendlyproduction of hydrogen is made possible by usingsolar energy.

[email protected]



Direct conversion of waste heat into electricity

Empa scientists want to be able to generate environmentally friendly electricity from heat (in particular from solar and waste heat) with the helpof ceramics known as perovskites. Thanks to their suitable structure these metal oxides are able to convert heat directly into electric current. The conversion process is neither based on mechanical nor on chemical
processes, and is solely a function of the materials properties.
They are known as thermoelectrics – mate-

rials which produce electric current when a

difference in temperature is applied within

them. The process involves no noise, no wear,

no emissions and very low climate changing

effects. Empa researchers are engaged in de-

veloping suitable materials which can be used

to make this phenomenon practically useful.

Thermoelectrics are not new, but the mate-

rials used to date contain the rare and there-

fore expensive metal tellurium, which is also

poisonous. Not only that, they are stable

only to about 300 degrees Celsius and have

a conversion efficiency of merely eight per

cent, factors which have so far limited their

usage to niche applications in e.g. space

crafts. The aim of Empa’s scientific team is to

develop non-toxic, stable, efficient and – not

least – economic thermoelectric materials.

The most internationally renown scientists

met at the second “Thermopower Sympo-

sium” held at Empa in July 2009 and pre-

sented their latest results along with the

Empa researchers reporting on ceramic ther-

moelectrics with perovskite-type structures.

Crystalline converters for a sustainable energy technologyNaturally occurring and artificial perovskites

consist of positively charged metal ions (such

as calcium and titanium) and oxygen. Crys-

tals of the mineral perovskite are frequently

black or reddish-brown in color, and have a

very stable structure which allows accom-

modating various elements from the periodic

table. Depending on the chosen composition

the very attractive properties of memers from

this family of compounds can be modified in

a desired way to obtain novel functional ma-

terials for future energy applications. In air

they are exceptionally stable, and can there-

fore be used in high temperature applications,

e.g. to convert concentrated solar energy at

up to 2000 degrees Celsius or to convert

waste heat from exhaust gases of combus-

tion processes.

What is special about perovskites lies in their

flexible crystal structure, which allows signif-

icant changes in their chemical composition

And depending on their particular formula

they demonstrate different conductivities;

they can be insulating, semiconducting, met -

al like conducting or even superconducting.

Good thermoelectrics are showing a high See-

beck coefficient (or thermopower), excellent

electrical conductivity and very low thermal

conductivity. The Empa team aims to reach

this goal by nanostructuring the material. Fur-

ther optimization of the thermoelectric mate-

rial was achieved in the laboratory when the

researchers substituted certain atoms in the

perovskite-type structures. In other words,

they synthesized new materials whose abil-

ity to convert heat into electrical energy will

be improved by understanding the influence

of the structure and composition on the ther-

moelectric properties to systematically tailor

improved materials.

Perovskite crystal structure.

In contrast to conventional thermoelectric

materials, the charge carriers in perovskites

Piopipüi

42 | 43

odule) energy converter developed by Empa scientists.


move by “hopping”. This process is very de-

pendent on the neighboring atoms in the crys-

tal lattice and can therefore be modified in

specific ways by suitable material design

techniques. The Empa scientists have suc-

ceeded in significantly raising the energy per

charge carrier (the “spin-entropy”), and there-

fore in improving the thermoelectric power

of the new material. A special form of calci-

um manganate has so far proven to be the

best n-conducting perovskite thermoelectric

in the world. As a next step, the research

team plans to demonstrate the suitability of

the new energy conversion system for real

life applications such as using the waste heat

from an internal combustion engine or con-

The TOM (thermoelectric oxid m

centrated solar radiation to generate power.

The Seebeck effect

A difference in temperature across an electrical

conductor causes a difference in electrical

potential and therefore a voltage across it. This

phenomenon, known as the thermoelectric

effect, is named after Thomas Johann Seebeck

who discovered it in 1821. On the warmer side

of the conductor the free electrons have greater

kinetic energy and move increasingly to the

colder side, where the electron density increases,

thereby creating a potential difference.

Contact

Heat distribution along a thermoelectric energy converter.

Prof. Dr Anke [email protected]



sonRAIL: a computer model for quiet trains

Empa’s acoustics specialists have developed a computer model which allows them to calculate noise levels along the entire Swiss rail network.The simulation software models the ways in which noise is created andpropagated, and how it is dampened. The results show where residents
near to railway lines are exposed to particularly high levels of noise
generated by trains at night not only seems

to be

During a three year period Empa scientists carried out noise emissionmeasurements on some 15 000 passing trains at 18 locations inSwitzerland (in the foreground to theright the measuring equipment).

and how this can be reduced.

The free movement of goods in Europe has

led to an increase in the quantities of cargo

transported – and therefore to more rail traf-

fic. In Switzerland, the rail network is filled

to capacity during the day with passenger

services; freight is moved mainly at night.

The problem is that goods trains are partic-

ularly noisy, and they operate when most

people are asleep.

If the policy of diverting freight traffic from

road to rail is to be a success, then freight

trains must be made significantly quieter.

The Swiss Federal Office for the Environ-

ment (FOEN) has therefore given Empa to-

gether with other partners the task of devel-

oping a computer model to calculate noise

levels along the railway lines of the national

network. The ultimate aim is that sonRAIL,

the name given to the model, should show

where and which noise reducing measures

should be applied for maximum effect.

While it is true that a two meter high acoustic

barrier efficiently reduces the rolling noise

generated by train wheels, the drone of the

ventilation system on the roof of a low-floor

coach remains a nuisance. In order to correct-

ly evaluate how railway noise affects nearby

residents and to indicate how this might be

minimized, Empa’s acoustic scientists had to

collect an enormous quantity of data. They

had to identify and measure every source of

noise, and then determine sound propaga-

tion, as well as amplification and damping

effects.

Rail vehicle noise depends on many factorsHow intense the noise of a rail vehicle is, and

how badly it affects local residents depends

on a host of factors such as the type of train

involved, the track bed characteristics and

the topography of the surrounding area,

whether buildings reflect or dampen the

acoustic energy, and the current state of the

weather. Only when all these parameters are

factored into the calculation is it possible to

exactly quantify the noise level. Even the time

of day plays a part in the model – the noise

louder, it actually is.

Noise is emitted by different parts of rail vehicles: not just the wheels at track levelbut also the pantograph and cooling system on the roof.

Piopipüi

eel noise most ef-


source.

Rolling noise could also

materials used for the track

the rails, sleepers and ball

chosen. The Empa team in

successor project to invest

terial combinations and ra

tion techniques reduce wh

fectively.

Noise emissions due to rail traffic along the track can be

Enormous quantities of data requiredfor the computer simulationDuring the development and validation of

the sonRAIL noise simulation model Empa

researchers and their project partners carried

out acoustic measurements on about 15 000

trains as they passed 18 different locations

between 2007 and 2008. At each data collec-

tion point they also measured how rough the

rail surface was and how strongly the track

vibrated. It could be shown that with smooth

rails the noise level could be reduced by up

to ten decibels, which is a quite respectable

halving of the sound intensity, right at its

be reduced if the

superstructure –

ast – are carefully

tends to devote a

igating which ma-

il track construc-

precisely analyzed and predictedusing computer models.

44 | 45

Contact

Dr Jean-Marc Wunderli

Usage in practicesonRAIL can be used by federal government

and local authorities as well as other inter-

ested parties to evaluate noise levels and

abatement measures for existing and planned

railway routes. The model not only predicts

the noise levels at individual buildings, it can

also be used to create large scale noise level

maps. As the first practical use of the model,

the Empa team calculated noise levels along

a part of the primary north-south corridor

through Switzerland. This 50 kilometer length

of track passes 30 000 buildings and is lined

with 17 noise barriers. The calculation has

been running day and night since the begin-

ning of 2010 on 40 processors of Empa’s

“Ipazia” computing cluster. In the first six

weeks of the simulation an area of some 340

square kilometers was analyzed and the

noise levels at 172 000 locations along the

rail track determined.

Research and industrial partners

– Technische Universität Berlin, Rail Vehicle Dept.

– Prose AG

– LCC Consulting

– SISE

– Railway Research Organization, Berlin

– Sulzer Innotec

– PSIA Austria

[email protected]



Empa Inside



Technology Transfer

Transforming research results into marketable products

Working with Empa pays off! The institution offers private companies and public organizations access to high-tech infrastructure and governmental support. In addition, everyone involved benefits from the exchange of ideas
and experience which take place. In 2009 the number of cooperative researchprojects rose significantly with over sevent
to power espresso machines on the mobile minibars onSwiss trains with electricity generated by fuel cells. (SBB)

y agreements being concluded.

The aim of the Technology Transfer team at

Empa is to take the results of applied re-

search and transform them into marketable

innovations. The team assists and advises

research groups, for instance, in negotiating

agreements with industry to commercialize

the results of their work.

To protect its intellectual property rights,

Empa filed 20 patent applications in 2009.

The institution’s patent portfolio currently

encompasses 48 “patent families”. In addi-

tion, twelve new licensing agreements were

signed with industrial partners, thus secur-

ing income which Empa uses to finance new

research projects and to intensify its technol-

ogy transfer efforts.

Espresso machine uses power from fuel cellEmpa is participating in a project partly fi-

nanced by the Swiss Innovation Promotion

Agency (CTI) in which an innovative system

for electrical power supply of the espresso

Empa is taking part in a CTI project to develop a system

machines on minibars in Swiss trains is

brought to market readiness. Novel is that

the power is generated by fuel cells. The oth-

er partners involved are Elvetino and Swiss

Federal Railways, Serto, Bern University of

Applied Sciences, Engineering and Informa-

tion Technology (Biel) and the Paul Scherrer

Institute (PSI). Empa’s contribution lies in the

development of a metal hydride storage sys-

tem which makes optimal use of the waste

heat from the fuel cell to aid the release of

the stored hydrogen.

Soft magnetic components – optimized for electric motorsAt the focus of another CTI financed project

is a soft magnetic material for use in brush-

less electric motors. The new material is in-

tended for magnetic cores or flux-guiding ap-

plications, making possible the production

of powerful, low-loss motors. The project de -

mands interdisciplinary know-how on motors

and process design, as well as on soft magnet-

ic materials, and therefore involves the par-

ticipation of as many as four Empa laborato-

ries and three industrial partners from the

metal and motor branches.

High-tech tuning for force microscopesEmpa researchers have succeeded in combin -

ing an atomic force microscope (AFM) with

another instrument designed to measure the

macroscopic physical properties of materials,

known as the Physical Properties Measure-

ment System or PPMS. The new, high-perfor-

mance combined device can be used, for ex-

ample, in developing tomorrow’s magnetic

hard-drive storage systems. This technology

Piopipüi

al partner is under negotiation.


The PPMS-AFM combines the atomic force microscope with an instrument for measuring macroscopic physical
properties. (r-to-l) Raphaëlle Dianoux, Managing Director of Nanoscan AG, and HanNanoscale Materials Scien
Bicomponent fibers used to reinfois simply added to the cement mixthe fibers which then are distribu

was licensed to NanoScan AG in 2009 and the

Empa spin-off company has already begun to

market the instrument. In addition, last year

NanoScan AG signed a cooperative agree-

ment with the German firm IONTOF, already

an Empa partner in a current EU project.

New cladding material with ideal properties for interior use Materials used within living areas can have

a significant influence on the well being of

the inhabitants of buildings. Empa has de-

veloped a material for use in wall and ceiling

cladding elements which absorbs humidity,

dampens noise and is both fire resistant and

environmentally harmless. As if that were not

enough, it also cleans the air in a room while

being resistant to mildew and biological de-

composition. Prototype sheets of this new

multifunctional material are as strong and

cost the same as conventional cladding ele-

ments. A licensing contract with an industri-

s Josef Hug, Head of Empa’sce Laboratory.

rce concrete are delivered as a “Powerpacket” which ture. The packaging dissolves during mixing, releasing ted evenly throughout the mass.

48 | 49

Innovation Prize 2009 for the development of a bicomponent fiberConcrete is frequently strengthened with

steel fibers when reinforcement with heavy-

duty steel mesh is not necessary, for example

in the construction of thin cellar walls, indus-

trial flooring, cement plates, tunnel cladding

or for sprayed concrete applications. Steel

fibers have disadvantages, however–they can

rust, they are stiff (and so can injure workers)

and they are heavy. An Empa team, working

in cooperation with an industrial partner and

supported by CTI, has developed an econom-

ic polymer fiber which can withstand high

levels of mechanical loading. A new manu-

facturing technique is used to produce these

bicomponent fibers, which have a core of

cheap polypropylene (PP) surrounded by a

thin sheath of tailor-made polymer material

suitable in chemical and mechanical terms

for use with cement-based building materi-

als. The project was honored with the Empa

Innovation Award 2009 as being an excellent

example of the transformation of research re-

sults from the science laboratory into practi-

cal industrial applications.

Contact

Marlen Müller
[email protected]


Technology Centers

glaTec and tebo – fertile grounds for start-up companies

Empa’s two technology centers, glaTec and tebo, act as a bridge between science and industry by bringing young firms nearer to the institution in both physical and thematic terms. Despite the difficult economic situation, some of the enterprises in the two “business incubators” are enjoying a
good deal of succe ss.
A winner from glaTec DuebendorfThe 4th Heuberger Winterthur Young Entre-

preneur’s Award 2009 represents a success

story for the glaTec technology center locat-

ed on Empa’s Duebendorf site. One of the

winners, and recipient of CHF 150 000 prize

money, is the Empa spin-off company com-

pliant concept GmbH. This young firm, which

is supported by glaTec, has developed an in-

telligent bed system which is designed to

prevent bedsores in long term bedridden pa-

tients (see page 26/27). The heart of the bed

consists of a set of compliant systems re-

searched and developed by Empa, the ETH

Zurich, and the University of Applied Sci-

ences in Rapperswil. In contrast to conven-

tional mechanisms the flexibility of compli-

ant systems is based on elastic deformation

of the material itself, and not on the sliding

and rolling of rigid components. compliant

concept GmbH is the second glaTec start-up

company to receive this renowned award, the

first being Optotune AG in the year before.

The team from compliant concept GmbH (l-to-r): Adrian Baerlocher, Michael Sauter, Jonathan Wehren and Gisbert Doerr.

Piopipüi

61


bluesign® conference draws textile decision makers to the teboThe economic crisis has also left its mark on

the companies in the tebo technology center

located on Empa’s St.Gallen site, although

with varying effects. While one young start-

up had to temporarily reduce the working

hours of its employees, other firms “merely”

suffered drops in turnover at the beginning

of the year. One good example of significant

development under difficult circumstances

is the young firm bluesign technologies ag. A

stream of new partners, primarily from Asia,

and numerous commissions to carry out on-

site evaluation work based on the principles

defined by the bluesign® standards show how

successful the company’s business activities

were in 2009. The large number of decision

makers from the textile industry attending

the bluesign® conference in July 2009 bears

witness to the importance of this standard.

Under the motto “Gain Trust – Take Respon-

sibility”, over a hundred bluesign technolo-

gies ag partners, from all stages of the textile

manufacturing and value chain, discussed

the topic of sustainability in the production

and marketing of textile materials. In a reso -

lution following the UN decade of “Education

for Sustainable Development”, participants

pledged to support the voluntary education

of school children in regard to the environ-

ment, behavior and attitudes, and sustainable

consumption.

01 | 050 | 5

There were other changes in tebo too. Three

companies moved out and three new ones

moved in, as did a group from the University

of St.Gallen’s “Center for Entrepreneurial

Excellence” (CEE). This is the visible result

of increased cooperation between the tebo,

the University of St.Gallen, and also the Uni-

versity of Applied Sciences St.Gallen in en-

couraging young entrepreneurs in Eastern

Switzerland.

Contact

glaTecMario [email protected]

tebo

Podium discussion with (l-to-r) Greg Scott (Mountain Equipment Co-op), Jeff Nash (The North Face), Jill Dumain (Patagonia) and Richard Collier (Helly Hansen) during the bluesign® conference.

Peter [email protected]




Innovation “Made in Switzerland” – topics for discussion

Over 2500 specialists drawn from the worlds of the economy, the professional associations and governmental administration took part in the various events held at the Empa Academy in 2009. Almost as many scientists discussed the verylatest research results at conferences, courses and expert lectures held over the same period. In addition, the Science Apéros organized by the Academy

Empa Academy

attracted around 400 interested visitors.

Experts from the textile industry catching up on the latest developmentsin their field at the Innovation Day in September.

Symposia for specialistsFor the fourth time the “Innovation Day” for

the textile industry took place at the Empa

Academy. About 200 participants from busi-

ness, research and educational fields were

offered insights into “Adaptive Systems – the

future is flexible”. Among the items present-

ed was a multi-component fiber with a spe-

cial liquid in its core which acts as a flexible

shock absorber. The fiber can be used to make

comfortable protective vests which only be-

come rigid when subject to a rapid shock.

Intelligent materials and systems face a prom-

ising future – science and politics are in agree-

ment on this point. Many Swiss companies

are, however, investing only cautiously in re-

search and development in these times of

economic crisis. To change this state of affairs

the Swiss Innovation Promotion Agency (CTI)

and Empa invited some 200 guests from in-

dustry and science to the national Innova-

tions Briefing on “Smart Materials” at the

Empa Academy. Participants were informed

of the Federal Governments steps to encour-

age investment and the new NFP 62 “Smart

Materials” National Research Program. Ex-

perts from Empa and other research institutes

presented their latest projects and illustrated

the ways in which science and industry could

successfully cooperate. The event enabled the

CTI and Empa to get over the message that

they were willing, able and ready to support

industry and SMEs to exploit the advantages

offered by the revolutionary market of the fu-

ture which “intelligent materials” represents.

Piopipüi

01 | 0652 | 53

bring in its wake, such as that from free


Science apéros – sources of information on current topicsWhether in the steel construction industry,

information technology field, the textile sec-

tor or cosmetics – nanotechnology has some-

thing to offer to everyone. The 40th Science

Apéro in Duebendorf was therefore devoted

to the numerous opportunities made possible

by this innovative technology. The 200-odd

guests listened attentively to the speakers and

discovered that “Nano makes a difference!”

“What next after Oil?” was the subject dis-

cussed by some 140 people at the 41st Sci-

ence Apéro. Held at the Empa’s St.Gall site,

the theme of the 42nd event in the series was

Electro-mobility, an alternative method of

providing the freedom of movement so dear

to us all.

NanoConvention 2009 – overcoming challenges with “Nano”Whether in the field of medicine, in the sus-

tainable energy supply sector or in the world

of environmental protection, the challenges

which the future holds are hardly to be mas-

tered without the help of nanotechnology.

The 150 or so visitors with an interest in nano -

technology, drawn from research, industry,

the administration and the financial world,

who attended the 3rd “NanoConvention” in

Zurich on July 6th were all convinced of this.

At the same time, the event also concluded

that it was essential to take a close look at

the potential risks the new technology might

nanoparticles.

At the Science Apéro on Electro-mobility heldat Empa in St.Gall, interested visitors hadthe opportunity to
take both e-bikes and e-scooters for a test spin.
Contact

Dr Anne Satir

A gifted communicator at the NanoConvention 2009:Bertrand Piccard – researcher, visionary, pioneer of solarflight. He enthralled the public with his “Solar Impulse”project.

[email protected]



Research also means taking responsibility

Innovations and new technologies have a huge impact on our everyday lives. It is, therefore, essential that society conduct an open discussion on beneficialand “not-quite-so-beneficial” developments. For as long as anyone can remember Empa’s activities have dealt with the interface between science and society, and the institution is intensively engaged in encouraging dialog

Science in Dialog

between the two by virtue of, for example, special events and guided visitsthough its laboratories.

”The Limits to Growth”, thanks Xaver Edelmann, President of the WRF and member ofEmpa’s Board of Directors.

his interest in the latest Empaprojects in the area of resourceefficiency and life-cycle analysis.

As was the case for the 3rd “edition” of Empa’s

NanoConvention in 2009 (see page 52/53),

nanotechnology also played the primary role

in the public lecture series entitled “Opportu-

nities and Risks of Nanotechnology”, held at

the University of St.Gall and organized for the

first time by Empa researchers. Around 300

interested persons attended the six events, in

which topics such as nanomaterials for med-

icine, innovative nanotextiles and the effects

of “nano” on the environment, society and

health were illuminated from different angles

and discussed in detail.

In September Empa, together with the Swiss

Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW)

and other partners, organized the first “World

Resources Forum” (WRF) in Davos, an inde-

pendent, international discussion platform

devoted to the topic of our planet’s rapidly

A successful premiere: Dennis Meadows (right), coauthor of the ”Club of Rome” study

dwindling resources

are, through the WRF

The Peruvian Environmental Minister Antonio Brack shows

. Empa and its partners

, explicitly pursuing the

Piopipüi

meeting young researchers from Spain and South America working at Empa. Nanotechnology” at the University of St.Gall: (l-to-r) Peter Wick, Katharina Maniura,


aim of delivering realistic recommendations

to enable politicians to make informed deci-

sions for a sustainable development. At the

closing of the forum participants released a

declaration – a “Call for Action” – with sugges-

tions for tackling the shortage of resources.

International guests visiting Empa’s laboratories During a visit to the institution, the Peruvian

Environmental Minister, Antonio Brack, seized

the opportunity to learn the latest details of

Empa’s research and development projects in

the areas of resource efficiency and life-cycle

analysis. Thanks to various research projects

in China, India and South Africa (among oth-

ers) and through its technical monitoring of

Swiss e-Waste recycling operations, Empa has

many years of experience in the implemen-

tation of environmentally friendly recycling

measures. In Peru the institution is responsi-

ble for the supervision and implementation

of future e-Waste recycling projects.

Another guest was the Spanish Minister for

Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia.

Spain would like to strengthen its cooperation

with Swiss researchers and accelerate the

process of technology transfer to its industry

– a topic of outstanding importance also to

Empa. After being shown around the labora-

tories and taking part in a discussion with

young researchers from Spain and Latin Amer -

ica, the Minister expressed admiration for the

breadth of the institution’s research portfolio.

Science and technology transfer were also

central to visits by high ranking representatives

of the governments of several autonomous

republics and regions of the Russian Federa-

tion, the aim being to intensify economic co-

operation. Empa’s technology centers, tebo in

Bernd Nowack, Harald Krug, M

St.Gall and glaTec in Duebendorf, met with

great interest in this context.

Youngsters with enthusiasm for science and technologyOnce again in 2009 Empa researchers partic-

ipated in the “TecDays” at several cantonal

High Schools, an initiative by the SATW to fos -

ter interest for the natural sciences, engineer-

ing and technology in the young. Specialists

from the worlds of science, technology and

industry offered the youngsters an overview

of their research activities. One of the co-

found ers of the event (and member of Empa’s

Board of Directors), Pierangelo Groening, was

proud to have been awarded excellent marks

by the young audience for his lecture on

nano technology.

Contact

Dr Michael Hagmann

arcel Halbeisen, Manfred Heuberger.

54 | 55

Cristina Garmendia (middle), the Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation, Empa staff who organized the public lecture series ”Opportunities and Risks of

[email protected]



Marketing

The “Portal” –Facilitating access to Empa’s know-how

As a central contact point for clients and partners, the Portal facilitates their access to Empa’s vast range of experience and know-how. The Portalteam comes into its own particularly when dealing with inquiries which
require interdisciplinary solutions, arranging contact between the external
funding for EU projects have already been

submitted.

partner and the appropriate Empa speciali

Whether searching for partners for new re-

search projects, technical and scientific con-

sultation, analyzing samples or investigating

damage claims – the Portal puts potential

clients and partners in touch with the rele-

vant experts on the Empa staff, or advises

them whom to contact elsewhere. In the lat-

ter case, the external partners recommended

are frequently spin-off companies from the

institution, and in this manner the Portal as-

sists these fledgling enterprises with their

Empa-derived technologies.

But the Portal’s activities are not just limited

to finding answers to the hundreds of en-

quiries and questions yearly. Portal staff also

proactively makes contact with industry, for

example at exhibitions and events such as the

Swiss Innovation Forum in Basel, where the

project “hy.muve” was presented. This is a

hydrogen powered road cleaning vehicle de-

veloped jointly with the Paul Scherrer Insti-

tute (PSI) and other industrial partners. At

the time it was being put through its paces

in first real-life practical tests on the streets

of the host city.

sts.

The Portal team also organizes events them-

selves, one such being the Swiss-Swedish

Nanotechnology Workshop held at the be-

ginning of 2009 for specialists from science

and industry. At this event for the first time

a Science Speed Dating was arranged. This

technique, usually used by lonely singles

to find a partner, was “adjusted” to help re-

searchers find partners to establish scientific

projects. The aim of encouraging as many

Swiss-Swedish alliances and ideas to devel-

op into cooperative projects as possible was

very successful – the first applications for

Contact

Dr Verónica Cerletti

”Speed Dating” has also proved successful as a method of forging business partnerships. The photograph shows participants at the Swiss-Swedish NanotechnologyWorkshop held at Empa.

[email protected]


Pio

01 | 0656 | 57


pipüiInternational PhD Program Switzerland – Poland

The WUT – NIMS – Empa cooperation thrives

Nearly five years ago, the Empa, together with the two well-known technical universities of Krakow and Warsaw, founded a joint graduate school in the field of materials science, the International PhD School Switzerland – Poland. Two years later, the Japanese “National Institute of Materials Science” (NIMS)
joined the International PhD Program. In 2009, the 2nd WUT-NIMS-Empa
N
workshop on nanomaterials was held at
In 2009, the third call for projects within the

framework of the International PhD Program

was held and closed successfully. Out of sev-

en applications five were recommended for

acceptance by the Advisory Board and grant-

ed funding by Empa’s Directorate.

In November, the 2ndWUT-NIMS-Empa Work-

shop was held at Empa’s Japanese sister in-

stitution, NIMS, a little over one year after

the first meeting in Warsaw. The event took

place in Tsukuba and was organized by

Andreas Doenni (NIMS), Jolanta Janczak-

Rusch (Empa, Director of the PhD Program)

and Krzysztof Kurzydlowski (Warsaw Uni-

versity of Technology, WUT). The main goal

was to stimulate the international exchange

of (young) scientists between the three in-

stitutions. A total of 21 presentations on the

topics of nanomaterials, biomaterials, as well

as energy and environment were given by

experienced researchers, as well as by PhD

students.

IMS’ Tsukuba site.

First joint projects of the “Cohesion billion”In November 2006, the Swiss electorate ap-

proved of the Swiss Contribution to support

the new member states (NMS) of the Euro-

pean Union, the so-called Cohesion Billion.

Poland is one of the EU-NMS investing in

Joint Research Projects (JRPs) with Switzer-

land. To offer interested partners from Switzer -

land and Poland an opportunity to meet and

to sketch out proposals, Empa and WUT or-

ganized the “Swiss-Polish (SciTec) Days” in

Warsaw in mid-January 2010. The 2-day gath-

ering started with keynote lectures, introduc-

ing the research landscape of the respective

countries in the five call areas: nanotechnol-

ogy, energy, environment, health and ICT. In

parallel focus sessions with short presenta-

tions from Swiss and Polish researchers, fol-

lowed by a poster session, participants could

meet, discuss and sketch out project ideas

with potential partners. The call for JRPs

was published in April 2010.

Contact

The poster sessions of the ”Swiss-Polish SciTec Days” in Warsaw attracted substantial interest and allowed the participants to actively discuss joint Swiss-Polish research projects.

Prof. Dr Jolanta [email protected]



Facts and figures


Facts and figures

The work of Empa staff members was recog-

nized through 30 prizes and awards.


Scientific Output

Alongside qualitative outputs which provide

an indication of the manifold and extremely

interesting results of Empa’s research activi-

ties, quantitative data delivers an important

yardstick by which the institution’s perform-

ance can be measured. The number of ISI

publications has been continually rising over

recent years, and increased markedly in 2009

from 406 to 472 (+16%). Similarly encour-

aging was the number of successful submis-

sions for new projects to organizations offer-

ing research funding. The number of CTI-

Empa Academy events (incl. longer than one day)

Prizes and awards

supported projects rose from 68 to 74 over

the past year, and SNSF funded projects from

58 to 69. At 51, EU financed project numbers

remained practically stable at a satisfactorily

high level (2008: 53).

Scientific contributions by Empa staff to na-

tional and international conferences once

again rose slightly from 1067 to 1099 (of which

456 were as “invited” or “key note speaker”).

The institution acted as organizing or co-or-

ganizing body for 90 conferences in 2009.

SCIENTIFIC OUTPUT

2008 2009

ISI publications 406 472

of which SCI publications 348 399

Conference contributions 1067 1099

Doctorates completed 31 34

Initial patent applications 11 20

License agreements 9 12

Spin-offs and start-ups 4 3

Teaching activities (in hours) 2921 3349

83 103

23 30

Dissemination of Knowledge / Technology Transfer

As ever, over the past year too the institution’s

activities in the areas of teaching, dissemina-

tion of knowledge and technology transfer

represented an important focal point. The

number of teaching appointments rose from

138 to 143, and in parallel the number of

teaching hours given by staff increased from

2921 to 3349 of which about half were at the

ETH Zurich. Holding over 100 further edu-

cation and information events (+24%) the

Empa Academy provided a lively platform for

knowledge transfer and communication with

specialists from science and the economy as

well as interested members of the public. In

addition to this the institution participated

actively in a number of external events such

as the Research Night and the Swiss Innova-

tion Forum.

Cooperative work with industry once again

proved to be very successful. Empa’s Tech-

nology Transfer office was responsible for a

total of 271 agreements with third parties (up

14% compared to last year). 20 patent appli-

cations were made (up 82%) and 12 licens-

ing, option or sale of patent contracts were

signed (an increase of 33%).

The progress of the “glaTec” technology cen-

ter, established in autumn 2008, has been

cause for great satisfaction. The combined ac-

tivities of a new spin-off and the young com-

panies already in residence generated 20 new

workplaces in 2009 and in addition during

this period two more start-ups, which enjoy

very close working relations to Empa, moved

in to the glaTec premises.


The institution has always held the view that

an efficient way of transferring scientific and

technical know-how is by passing on to com-

petent industrial partners technically ad-

vanced and established services which have

reached an adequate level of maturity and

are therefore market ready. One such exam-

(including studentsnot employed by Empa)

Empa’s routine services in the fields of met-

allography, fractography and damage analy-

sis of metallic materials and components to

the ASIT Swiss Association for Technical In-

spections. In taking over the entire know-how

(including the Empa team responsible) the

ASIT has been able to complement its exist-

f technical

anner.

bering in total 352 (321), of which 264 (250)

ple is the transfer in November 2009 of ing services portfolio in the field o

safety monitoring in an optimal m

0

50

100

150

300

200

250

400

350

450

Completed doctoratesDoctorates in progress Publications:

16

67

30

67

120132

271 275

153

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

371

2007 2008

191

9990

162

406

154

2009

472

166

DEVELOPMENT IN NUMBERS OF

DOCTORAL STUDENTS AND SCI/E PUBLICATIONS

SCI/SSCISCIE

60 | 61

Personnel

At the end of 2009 Empa employed 943 staff

(2008: 915). Taking into account the large

number of part-time positions, this is equiv-

alent to 868 full-time workers, representing

once again an increase on the previous year’s

figure. The proportion of scientifically quali-

fied staff has once again been increased, as a

consequence of the expansion in the institu-

tion’s research activities, from 501 to 515 per-

sons. Of these 22 (20) hold professorial posts

at a technical university. Over the past year

34 (31) doctoral dissertations were completed

and at the end of this period the number of

doctoral students employed by Empa rose

slightly from 110 to 115. There was a marked

increase in the number of post-docs, from 64

to 75. Institution staff supervised 105 (106)

undergraduate students working on their fi-

nal-year projects and offered practical posi-

tions to a further 77 (86) young persons. With

the wide range of occupational learning facil-

ities it offers, Empa took responsibility for

training 37 (38) apprentices. Once again in

2009 all its apprentices passed their final ex-

aminations. The number of technical and ad-

ministrative personnel (including appren-

tices and those doing practical training) rose

to 428 from 414.

At 27.5% (2008: 27%), the proportion of fe-

male employees rose slightly. The number of

women holding managerial positions also in-

creased from 17 to 20. Non-Swiss staff repre-

sent 37% (35%) of Empa employees, num-

originate from EU countries.

contributions from private funding sources happily remained practi-

Facts and figures

which apprentices 38 37


More limited term positions were made available during the year for

post-docs, doctoral students, undergraduates and students engaged

in practical projects, primarily due to the expansion in scientific work.

As a result the number of limited term employees rose to 459 from

428. The average contract duration remains unchanged, being deter-

mined by the usual agreements governing the employment of doctoral

students and postdoctoral staff.

In addition to the wide range of training and further education courses

offered, in 2009 Empa once again placed emphasis on leadership train-

ing. This management training, which is strategy-based and structured

in a modular fashion, and includes proven leadership techniques and

tools has been resolutely continued and provided to a wide section of

staff. The annual management day event was devoted to the topic of

Finance and Controlling.

Empa is the holder of the “Family UND Profession” signet, awarded

by the “UND – Family and Profession for Men and Women” specialist

center. This signet is simultaneously an obligation and an encourage-

ment to the institution to act in a family-friendly way and foster equal

opportunities, and also to take a leading role in the future in these ar-

eas. Regardless of their gender, nationality, language, location, profes-

sion, age or position in the organizational hierarchy, all Empa employ -

ees enjoy identical esteem and appreciation, and are offered

optimal opportunities for further self-development. Diversity

– in other words variety and plurality in society – is recognized

as an important precondition for successfully overcoming

complex challenges requiring new ways of thinking. In 2009

this idea was integrated into the institution’s personnel policy

as a new foundation stone and a plan of concrete measure to

encourage diversity and equal opportunities was developed.

This includes factors such as conditions of employment, equal

opportunity measures, the integration of foreign staff and staff

training and development at all levels. Several of these meas-

ures, including the introduction of teleworking, the expansion

of child-minding facilities and various steps to raise the pro-

STAF

CATEG

Scien

of

of

of

Techn

of

portion of female staff holding responsible positions, have al-

ready been implemented.

Total

Finances

In 2009 total revenues accrued amounted to CHF 150.9 million. This

was made up as follows: CHF 91.8 million in federal funding contri-

butions (CHF 87.8 million in the previous year), additional federal

economic stabilization funds totaling CHF 7.8 million, income from

third party funding, services rendered and miscellaneous sources of

CHF 50.8 million (compared to CHF 43 million in 2008), and financial

income of CHF 0.5 million (CHF 0.3 million). Revenues from services

rendered, including miscellaneous revenues, rose by CHF 0.6 million

in 2009 to CHF 13.3 million. Included in the federal funding contri-

bution is income from project-oriented fund allocations made by the

ETH-Domain Competence Centers amounting to a total of CHF 1.7 mil-

lion (CHF 1.3 million).

Income from third party funding for R&D projects was 24.1% up on

the previous year, at CHF 36 million compared to CHF 29 million. Fi-

nancial support from the Swiss National Science Funds (including

NCCR) more than doubled in comparison to 2008, to CHF 5.2 mil-

lion. Funding from the CTI was also significantly higher, rising from

CHF 5.1 million in the previous year to CHF 7.8 million in 2009. De-

spite the difficult economic situation, commercially oriented research

cally unchanged at CHF 8.6 million (CHF 8.8 million in 2008). Fund-

F as of 31.12. 2009

ORIES 2008 2009

tific staff 501 515

which professors 20 22

which doctoral students 110 115

which scientific staff excl. professors & PhD students 371 378

ical and Administrative staff 414 428

(incl. part-time staff) 915 943

2008. The profit and loss account balance amounted to CHF 1.3 mil-

lion (CHF -4.4 million).

62 | 63


STATEMENT OF INCOME (in millions of Swiss francs)

2008 2009Revenue

Federal funding contribution 87.8 91.8

Federal economic stabilization funds 0 7.8

Third-party funding 29 36

Income from services rendered 12.7 13.3

Miscellaneous 1.3 1.5

Financial income 0.3 0.5

Released from reserves for projects 1.0 0

Total revenues 132.1 150.9

Expenditure

Personnel costs 91.6 100.6

Holiday allowance adjustment 1.1 1.0

Materials 6.2 6.2

Operating expenses 38.2 40.1

Reserves set aside for future commitments -0.6 -0.9

Reserve increase for current projects 0 2.6

Total expenditure for current activities 136.5 149.6

Balance -4.4 1.3

Investment

Fixed assets 10 11.1

Movable assets 6.9 10.9

Information technology 0.6 0.7

Total Investment 17.5 22.7

ing contributions from European research programs at CHF 6.5 mil-

lion also remained at about last year’s level (CHF 6.3 million). In com-

parison to the previous year, allocations from the departmental re-

search budget rose by CHF 1.2 million (+15.3%) to CHF 7.8 million.

The third party funding contribution of, in total, CHF 50.8 million

covered about 33.9% of total expenditure.

Total expenditure amounted to CHF 149.6 million (CHF 136.5 in 2008),

of which the largest single item by far was personnel costs. Due to

amongst other factors the increase in project staff over the reporting

year (22 more full-time positions) and salary adjustments, this figure

increased by CHF 9 million to CHF 100.6 million. Of the remaining

expenditure a sum of CHF 40.1 million was used for running expens-

es and CHF 6.2 million was used to cover the purchase of materials.

Disbursements of CHF 0.9 million were made from reserve funds.

Investments in building, apparatus and equipment amounted to a to-

tal of CHF 22.7 million in 2009 compared to CHF 17.5 million in 2008.

Building investment costs including a credit transfer from the federal

economic stabilization funds totaled CHF 11.1 million (CHF 10 million).

Investment in moveable assets increased significantly from CHF 6.9

to 10.9 million during the year, while that in Information Technology

rose only slightly to CHF 0.7 million compared to CHF 0.6 million in

Facts and figures

–


Construction & Operations

In addition to numerous small projects, 2009

was notable for the federal economic stabi-

lization fund contributions. These measures

are intended to help ensure that equipment

and buildings are well maintained and that

the on-site energy consumption is optimized.

For these purposes Empa received CHF 7.8

million additional funding, which will be

used on the following large projects (some of

which are planned and others already com-

pleted):

– In the Motor Building various energy con-

servation measures are planned: modifi-

cations to allow a lower supply temper-

ature for the heating system, a new ven-

tilation system with waste heat recovery

facilities which also allows use of the

waste heat from the engine test bed to

warm the building. The pressurized air

system has been refurbished using small-

er, energy saving air compressors. The

heat generated by the air pressurization

process will be used to generate warm

water and to heat the surrounding build-

ings. The plant is now connected to the

site control system “Gams” which pro-

vides permanent monitoring. Parts of the

façades of the Building Hall, the Metal

Hall and the North-East Building will be

refurbished with new windows, doors

and gateways which meet current energy

conservation regulations. Here also the

local heating plant and radiators will be

modified to use lower inlet temperatures

as far as is necessary.

The ageing central heating and cooling

plant on the Empa/Eawag site in Dueben-

dorf must be replaced within the next few

years. Last year a competition was held

for a replacement heating and cooling

plant which also included further meas-

ures to reduce energy consumption. The

target set by the management of the two

institutions was to reduce CO2 emissions

by 70% by the year 2030 following a de-

fined series of measures. In 2009 Empa

und Eawag decided on a project to gasify

waste wood to generate electrical power

and heat. In summer the waste heat will

be used to supply an absorption refriger-

ation system to supply a part of the cool-

ing requirements of the site. According to

calculations the CO2 emissions reduction

due to this project will reach over 70%

by the year 2012, a saving of 4500 tons

annually. Further measures are planned

to reduce the final overall CO2 balance by

a total of 80% by 2030. The reference

value dates from 1990 with 6735 tons of

CO2 emissions per year.

Environmental Management An integral part of every building project is

to determine how resource friendly ideas and

procedures can be optimally implemented, for

example by the use of sustainably produced

building materials manufactured with mini-

mum energy consumption, by implementing

waste energy recovery concepts in heating and

cooling systems and by the installation of en-

ergy saving equipment and plant.

Based on the electrical power usage analysis

carried out in 2007, various measures were

put into place in 2009. In Duebendorf the old

emergency power generator, the uninterrupt -

ible power supply (UPS) and the air compres-

sor have been replaced and the circulating

pump for the HVAC system renewed. These

measures will result in savings of 160000 kWh

annually. In St.Gall the site power consump-

tion has been reduced by even more, around

180000 kWh per year through improved sys-

tem regulation, optimization of air flows in

the chemistry laboratories and by the de-

commissioning of a transformer. In parallel

to these measures the aromatic consumption

monitoring system has been extended, al-

lowing the power usage of individual build-

ings to be directly viewed online via the ETH

program “Silo”.

Contact

Roland Knechtle
[email protected]

64 | 65


ETH CouncilThe ETH Council has overall responsibility

for the management of the ETH Domain,

which incorporates the two Federal Insti-

tutes of Technology (ETHZ, EPFL) and the

four federal research institutes (PSI, WSL,

Eawag and Empa).

Chairman

Fritz Schiesser

Dr iur., Haslen GL

Vice-Chairman

Paul L. Herrling

Prof. Dr, Novartis, Basel

Members

Patrick Aebischer

Prof. Dr, EPF Lausanne

Ralph Eichler

Prof. Dr, ETH Zurich

Barbara Haering

Dr, Econcept AG, Zurich

Janet Hering

Prof. Dr, Eawag, Duebendorf

Hans Hess

Dipl. Ing. ETH, Hamesco AG, Pfäffikon SZ

Beth Krasna

Dipl. Ing. ETH, EPF Lausanne

Thierry Lombard

lic. rer. pol., Lombard Odier, Geneva

Markus Stauffacher

Organs of Empa

Dr, ETH Zurich

Advisory Commission A body of leading personalities which advis-

es the Empa management on fundamental

concerns.

Chairman

Norman Blank

Dr, Sika, Zurich

Members

Kurt Baltensperger

Dr, ETH-Rat, Zurich

Crispino Bergamaschi

Prof. Dr, UAS Central Switzerland, Horw

Peter Chen


Andreas Hafner

Dr, BASF, Basel

Rita Hoffmann

Dr, Ilford, Marly

Jan-Anders Manson

Prof. Dr, EPF Lausanne

Markus Oldani

Dr, ALSTOM, Baden

Andreas Schreiner

Dr, Novartis, Basel

Eugen Voit

Dr, Leica Geosystems, Heerbrugg

Rolf Wohlgemuth

Dr, Siemens, Zug

Research CommissionThe Commission advises Empa’s Board of Di-

rectors on questions of research, the choice of

R&D spectrum and the evaluation of internal

R&D projects. In addition to selected Empa

senior staff, it consists of the following persons:

David Grainger

Dr, University of Utah, USA

Bengt Kasemo

Prof. Dr, Chalmers University of

Technology, Sweden

Erkki Leppävuori

Prof. Dr, VTT, Finland

Jaques Marchand

Prof. Dr, Laval University, Canada

Klaus Müllen

Prof. Dr, MPI, Germany

Claudia Stürmer

Prof. Dr, University of Constance, Germany

Eberhard Umbach

Prof. Dr, KIT, Germany

Sukekatsu Ushioda

Prof. Dr, NIMS, Japan

Alex Dommann

Dr, CSEM, Zurich

Thomas Egli

Prof. Dr, Eawag, Duebendorf

Karl Knop

Dr, Zurich

Dimos Poulikakos


Viola Vogel


Alexander Wokaun

Prof. Dr, PSI, Villigen

Facts and figures

International PhD ProgramSwitzerland – PolandProf. Dr Jolanta Janczak

Empa Academy Dr Anne Satir

Master’s Program in Micro- and Nanotechnology (MNT)Dr Dirk Hegemann

Programs for Education and Continuous Training

Director general Deputy Prof. Dr Gian-Luca Bona Dr Peter Hofer

Mechanical Systems Engineering Dr Giovanni Terrasi

Mechanics for Modelling and Simulation Prof. Dr Edoardo Mazza

Structural Engineering Prof. Dr Masoud Motavalli

Road Engineering/Sealing Components Prof. Dr Manfred Partl

Wood Dr Klaus Richter

Building Science and Technology Prof. Dr Jan Carmeliet

Concrete/Construction Chemistry Dr Pietro Lura

High Performance Ceramics Prof. Dr Thomas Graule

Electron Microscopy Center Dr Rolf Erni

Functional Polymers Dr Frank Nüesch

Thin Films and Photovoltaics Prof. Dr Ayodhya N. Tiwari

nanotech@surfaces Dr Pierangelo Gröning

Nanoscale Materials Science Prof. Dr Hans Josef Hug

Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures Dr Johann Michler

Advanced Materials Processing Prof. Dr Patrik Hoffmann

Joining and Interface Technology Dr Manfred Roth

Corrosion and Materials Integrity Dr Patrik Schmutz a.i.

Advanced Materials and Surfaces Dr Pierangelo Gröning

Civil and Mechanical EngineeringDr Peter Richner

Materials meet LifeProf. Dr Harald Krug

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

DEPARTMENTS

Protection and Physiology Dr René Rossi

Advanced Fibers Dr Manfred Heuberger

Materials-Biology Interactions Prof. Dr Harald Krug

Biomaterials Dr Linda Thöny-Meyer

LABORATORIES

LABORATORIES LABORATORIES

Organizational [email protected] +41 44 823 44 44www.empa.ch/portal



http://www.empa.ch/portal

66 | 67

tebo – Technology Centerin St.Gallen Peter Frischknecht

Center for Synergetic StructuresEmpa – FestoDr Rolf Luchsinger

Reliability NetworkDr Urs Sennhauser

glaTec – Technology Centerin DübendorfMario Jenni

Public-private Partnerships

Sustainable Built EnvironmentDr Peter Richner

Health and PerformanceProf. Dr Harald Krug

Natural Resources and PollutantsDr Peter Hofer

Materials for Energy TechnologiesDr Xaver Edelmann

Technology and Society Prof. Dr Lorenz Hilty

Media Technology Prof. Dr Klaus Simon

Electronics/Metrology/Reliability Dr Urs Sennhauser

Acoustics/Noise Control Kurt Eggenschwiler

Internal Combustion Engines Christian Bach

Air Pollution/Environmental Technology Dr Brigitte Buchmann

Analytical Chemistry Dr Heinz Vonmont

Communication Dr Michael Hagmann

Human Resources André Schmid

Informatics Dr Christoph Bucher

Finances/Controlling/Purchasing Heidi Leutwyler

Mechanical Engineering/Workshop Stefan Hösli

Logistics and Infrastructure Paul-André Dupuis

Construction 3 Research Institutes Daniel Beerle

Marketing, Knowledge and Technology Transfer Gabriele Dobenecker

Solid State Chemistry and Catalysis Prof. Dr Anke Weidenkaff

Hydrogen and Energy Prof. Dr Andreas Züttel

Information, Reliability andSimulation TechnologyDr Xaver Edelmann

Mobility, Energy and EnvironmentDr Peter Hofer

SupportRoland Knechtle

LABORATORIES LABORATORIES SECTIONS

Research Focal Areas

Nanostructured MaterialsDr Pierangelo Gröning


ISSN 1424-2176 Annual Report Empa© Empa 2010

IMPRINT

Publisher

Empa

CH-8600 Dübendorf

CH-9014 St.Gallen

CH-3602 Thun

Editors

Communication, Empa

Design/Layout

Graphics Group, Empa

Printing

Sonderegger Druck AG, Weinfelden

SC2010051007Printed climate neutral


4ForewordTop notch research and innovative applications create added value

6Research programs

8 Nanotechnology10Adaptive Material Systems12Natural Resources and Pollutants14Materials for Energy Technologies16Materials for Health and Performance

The technical-scientific report

“Empa Activities 2009/2010”,

previous Annual Reports

and further documentation are

available directly from:

Empa

Communication

Überlandstrasse 129

CH-8600 Dübendorf

[email protected]

Content



Empa

CH-8600 DübendorfÜberlandstrasse 129

Phone +41 44 823 55 11Fax +41 44 821 62 44

CH-9014 St.GallenLerchenfeldstrasse 5

Phone +41 71 274 74 74Fax +41 71 274 74 99

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Phone +41 33 228 46 26Fax +41 33 228 44 90

www.empa.ch

Annual Report2009


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Documents

Empa Annual Report 2009