Press information
EAER Press releases
Prevention rather than cure: A toolbox for safe chemicals
Researchers and authorities from across Europe are collaborating on the major EU project PARC to further develop the risk assessment of chemicals. Researchers at Empa in St. Gallen are participating in the sub-task Safe and Sustainable by Design and are developing methods that can be used to assess the safety and sustainability of new chemicals right from their initial development stages.
Newly discovered protein conformation offers a potential target for cancer drugs
Several types of cancer are triggered by mutations in a protein called BRAF. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have resolved a previously unknown conformation adopted by this protein during cell proliferation. Their study, which has now been published in the journal Molecular Cell, opens new avenues for cancer treatment.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama attends informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for research and innovation
On 21 July, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, travelled to Dublin to attend the informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for research and innovation. Held under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the meeting focused on how Europe can optimally leverage research and innovation to improve European competitiveness.
Sanctions: Ordinance on measures against the Democratic Republic of Congo
The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly. On 4 March 2016 the Federal Council has adopted the Ordinance on the automatic application of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists. Hence, the amendments of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists enter into force in Switzerland without delay.
Ministerial meeting of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership: A joint commitment to rules-based global trade
On 17 July 2026, the second ministerial meeting of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT Partnership) convened in Auckland, New Zealand. Switzerland was represented by SECO State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda. The small and medium-sized economies that form the FIT Partnership reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based trading system.
Fertiliser from the neighbourhood – where local ammonia plants make economic sense
Small-scale plants could produce ammonia directly where it is needed. A global analysis involving the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI shows at which locations and under what conditions such mini-plants could operate in a low-carbon and economical manner. Ammonia is indispensable for fertiliser and could, in the future, also serve as fuel for ships.
10 new professors appointed at ETH Zurich and EPFL
At its meeting of 15/16 July 2026 and upon application of the President of ETH Zurich, Professor Joël Mesot, and the President of EPFL, Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, the ETH Board appointed a total of seven women and three men as professors and awarded the title of professor to one individual and the title of Professor of Practice to one individual. It also took note of the resignation of one professor and thanked him for his services. In the last 12 months, the ETH Board has made a total of 21 new appointments for women and 26 for men; the proportion of women among these new appointments thus amounts to 45%.
Why the actual fuel consumption of plug-in hybrids is often higher
Plug-in hybrids often consume more than officially stated. An Empa study now shows the reasons for this: Whether the vehicles can actually exploit their environmental advantage in everyday use depends heavily on usage, ambient temperatures, and vehicle design. Regular charging, individual driving behavior, and vehicle characteristics such as weight play a decisive role.
Desert dust in Europe is increasing
Airborne particulate matter from the deserts of North Africa is reaching Europe in ever-increasing quantities. This has implications for health and for solar energy installations. A comprehensive study led by the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI published in Nature shows that this type of pollution is on the rise – a trend that could be further exacerbated by climate change.
A world-first lens brings neutrons into sharper focus
Researchers at Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have developed the world’s first achromatic lens for neutron imaging. The lens overcomes a longstanding obstacle in the field: focusing neutrons of different wavelengths well enough to form a sharp, magnified image. With the lens, researchers can now image thick samples and follow processes inside bulky equipment such as furnaces, cryostats or pressure cells.
The COMCO Secretariat is investigating Google
The Secretariat of the Competition Commission (COMCO) has opened a preliminary investigation to examine Google’s removal of the “Choice Screen” feature on Android devices in Switzerland.
Switzerland and the United Kingdom conclude negotiations on a modernised free trade agreement
At their meeting in Bern on 13 July, President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin and the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, announced that negotiations had concluded on a modernised free trade agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK).
Sustainability Robotics as a new field of research: The foundations of a new scientific discipline
Climate change, resource consumption, and the energy crisis pose major challenges for our society. Robotics could make a significant contribution to addressing these challenges – but researchers believe this will require a shift in thinking. In a manifesto published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence, they propose a new scientific discipline: Sustainability Robotics. In future, robots should not only become more efficient and intelligent but also be specifically designed and deployed to contribute to environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
SECO: Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran
On 10.07.2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER updated the notification and authorisation forms for money transfers pursuant to Art. 21 of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. From August onwards, only the new forms will be accepted. The new forms can be accessed here.
Sanctions: Regulation on Measures Against Certain Individuals, Groups, Companies, and Organizations Associated with ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda
The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly. On 4 March 2016 the Federal Council adopted the Ordinance on the automatic application of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists. Hence, the amendments of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists enter into force in Switzerland without delay.
Consumer sentiment lower than a year ago
In June 2026 the consumer sentiment index stood at –36 points. This is 4 points lower than in June 2025. The following sub-indices are lower than in June 2025: economic outlook, past financial situation, financial outlook and moment to make major purchases.
Nano-insights into bone stability
Fractures of the femoral neck are not simply due to insufficient bone density. Also significant is their nanostructure – the orientation of the collagen fibres that make up bones. This is suggested by research conducted by scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI using a new X-ray technique.
Producing essential chemicals in a climate-neutral way: EU project pursues electrochemical CO₂ conversion from industrial waste
Platform chemicals such as ethylene are most often made from fossil source materials and generate considerable CO₂ emissions. The EU-funded project REACT, in which Empa is one of the partners, aims to instead produce ethylene from industrial CO₂ waste, thus closing the carbon loop. The consortium is developing a functional electrolysis system for the conversion of CO₂ to ethylene.
President Parmelin and Mexico's President Sheinbaum strengthen bilateral trade relations
During his visit to Mexico on Wednesday, 8 July, President Guy Parmelin met with President Claudia Sheinbaum and ministers from the Mexican government. The talks focused on bilateral relations, trade policy and the geopolitical situation. President Parmelin was accompanied on his visit by a business delegation.
Thomas Gass elected chair of the OECD Development Assistance Committee
On 8 July, the members of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC) elected Ambassador Thomas Gass as their next chair. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) supported his candidacy and welcome his election.