“Our goal is a circular economy free from CO2”
You held a leading research position at IBM in the USA before you became Director of Empa in 2009. What motivated you to return to Zurich?
I had a very exciting time in the USA in an international environment. I was thrilled by the opportunity to take over the management of Empa. The chance to initiate new technologies based on strong fundamental research and therefore give Swiss business an international boost presented a fascinating challenge for me.
Empa was founded in 1880 as a Swiss federal material testing institute. Over the last few decades, it has rapidly developed into a modern research institute. What does Empa do today?
Progress in science and technology is essential for a sustainable economy and a future that is worth living. Empa focuses on five research areas. We look for solutions to the burning question of sustainable and secure energy supply. Other priorities are global climate change, protecting the environment and the shortage of natural resources, as well as updating our existing infrastructure such as buildings, streets, bridges and tunnels. And last but not least, the topic of health and well-being, which is becoming more important in the era of increasing life expectancy. The starting point of our research is often a basic understanding of nano-structured materials on an atomic and molecular level.
He is a professor at ETH Zurich and Lausanne and former Director of Empa: physicist Gian-Luca Bona. Here he reveals which world record by Empa researchers he is particularly pleased about.
Around 40 percent of all activities at Empa relate to new energy technologies. What is Empa concerned with here?
A closed, CO2-free circular economy is one of the most important goals in the energy sector. That's why renewable energy technologies are central to our work. Buildings and mobility account for more than three quarters of energy consumption in Switzerland. It is precisely in these areas that we are focusing our research and developing new concepts - such as seasonal storage systems to enable us to use solar energy that we harvest in summer in winter. In our research and demonstration platforms NEST for building technology and move for mobility, we test innovations under real conditions and develop them further. We also work closely with numerous industrial partners to transform our research findings into marketable products as quickly as possible.
Are there any recent successes, which you are particularly proud of?
In 2012, Empa researchers succeeded in printing a solar cell on a flexible plastic substrate in an energy-efficient process. They set a new world record in energy conversion efficiency for this technology. I was very impressed, because it was a real alternative to silicon cells. I am particularly pleased that, thanks to national and international investors, a production plant for these new solar cells has now been successfully set up near Zurich.
How international is Empa?
In research, we are in a global competition for the best talent. Thanks to its reputation, Empa can count on excellent scientists from all over the world knocking on our doors. We currently have employees from almost 60 countries, most of them from EU member states. We are also in lively and constant exchange with research laboratories on all continents.
Professionally, you are committed to environmentally friendly high-tech solutions. What do you particularly appreciate about nature in the Zurich recreational area?
As I'm more of an exercise person, jogging and mountain biking are an important balance for me. The local recreation area around Zurich, with its diverse possibilities, is therefore ideal for me to relax outdoors.
