On September 14, from 10 am to 5 pm, the materials science research institute Empa will open its new Dübendorf campus to the public. Although Empa regularly reports on all the innovations from its laboratories, the people behind the research often remain merely "instruments in the service of progress", to put it somewhat academically. Yet it is precisely these researchers and engineers whose clever ideas pave the path to a sustainable future in the first place.

How much more exciting would it be to be able to watch the innovators at work, to experience research live – instead of only reading in the newspaper or watching news about a new battery technology or CO2-neutral concrete being developed?

A brand new research campus

This is exactly what Empa wants to offer all interested, curious visitors with an Open Lab Day. There is the perfect reason to do so: This summer, the research institute completed and opened its new research campus, co-operate. Ultra-modern and equipped with all kinds of technological innovations, co-operate symbolizes Empa's goal of operating its entire campus in a CO2-neutral way in the mid-term, for example by means of a large field of geothermal probes, which can store heat from the summer for the winter season.

On September 24, Empa will be showcasing around 70 research projects around NEST and, of course, in the new co-operate buildings, as well as all kinds of exciting things to try out and participate in. Thematically, everything will revolve around the major challenges we are currently facing as a society: How can we achieve the energy transition – as quickly as possible? The net zero target is a must for all of us – but is that enough? And what about so-called negative emission technologies? What does a genuine circular economy look like? And how do new materials and technologies enable personalized treatment of different diseases?

Questions to which we urgently need answers. This is what Empa researchers are working on day in, day out. On September 14, visitors can peek over their shoulders and experience research up close and personal. The partner insitute Eawag, one of the world's leading water research institutions, will join Empa in opening its doors on the shared campus and showcase interesting and unexpected things about water.

Plan your visit

The Open Lab Day will take place on Saturday, September 14, in any weather, on the Empa and Eawag campus at Überlandstrasse 129 in Dübendorf. The science fair will be open from 10 am to 5 pm. A number of free lectures, workshops and guided tours are on offer, with reservations required for some of these at: openday.empa.ch. There are activities for all age groups – children are very welcome! Various catering options are available on site.

We recommend traveling by public transport. The campus is readily accessible by tram and bus. There are no parking facilities on site. Parking spaces for cars or motorcycles are available at the Dübendorf airfield, which will be connected to the Empa campus by a shuttle bus.

Further information (in German) on: openday.empa.ch

Open Lab Day at Empa in Dübendorf: Experiencing science first hand