Press information
EAER Press releases
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.
Quantum material under pressure
Under high pressure, a quantum material can become superconducting at a significantly higher temperature than without pressure. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have now investigated this using muons. Their study provides new insights into the emergence of unconventional superconductivity. This could contribute to the search for superconductors that function at temperatures suitable for practical applications: an important prerequisite for the development of energy-efficient technologies.
Mapping Switzerland’s characteristic landscapes
From moors to settlements to forests – Switzerland’s characteristic landscapes are changing because of climate change, construction activities and afforestation. A new method developed by researchers at the WSL could make this visible in the future. By allowing characteristic landscape types to be recorded across Switzerland, it can thus serve as a basis for targeted landscape development.
Sanctions: Ordinance imposing Measures connected with the Situation in Ukraine
On 30 June 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (EAER) has updated the document “Interpretative aid for sanction measures”. The modifications are visible in track changes mode.
An electrifying prospect: Retrofitting diesel buses instead of replacing them
An Empa study shows that retrofitting existing diesel buses for electric operation would allow the entire European bus fleet to be electrified about 15 years earlier. This would benefit not only the environment but also bus operators. With the cost savings, they could expand public transportation services – without a significant need for additional infrastructure.
US tariffs: Federal Council reaffirms commitment to Switzerland–US joint statement
On 14 November 2025, Switzerland and the United States signed a joint statement aimed at stabilising bilateral trade relations. The Federal Council is determined to honour its commitments under that agreement. To this end, on 29 June it published a declaration setting out how it intends to implement certain further elements of the joint statement. In return, it expects the United States to fulfil its corresponding commitments. A comprehensive trade agreement remains the Federal Council's overarching aim.
State Secretary Martina Hirayama uses 2026 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting to foster international dialogue on education, research and innovation
On the sidelines of the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting on 28 and 29 June, Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, held talks with several of her counterparts, including Dorothee Bär, German Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space.
Four in five graduates change jobs after completing professional education
Of those who obtained a professional qualification in 2020, 58% changed companies or started their own business and 20% changed roles within their company in the four years following their examination. These are the results of the second Survey on Professional Education by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
First meeting of the international coalition for science, research and innovation in Ukraine
On 26 June, the first high-level meeting of the international coalition for science, research and innovation in Ukraine took place in Gdańsk on the fringes of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC). A joint declaration is intended to send a message of international solidarity in support of the reconstruction of Ukraine’s research and innovation system.
New insights into human vision
The retina of the human eye contains six to seven million cone cells. These cells contain light-sensitive proteins known as cone opsins. They enable us to perceive our surroundings in detail in daylight. In a new study, researchers led by Polina Isaikina from the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have now, for the first time, determined the three-dimensional molecular structure of human cone opsins in their dark state, that is, before they are activated by light.