Instrumental Chemical Analysis for Advanced Materials

The research unit is located at the Empa (Federal Laboratories for Materials & Technology) and develops analytical methods and/or devices for the chemical characterization of advanced materials. Under “advanced materials” we comprise all compounds with a specific activity in the “technosphere”, e.g. chemical or particulate emissions from ground or air mobility, components and processes of energy technologies, chemicals in the environment, etc. For instance, a “science case” with particular relevance for the industry & society is related to quality-screening of materials used in construction or manufacturing, such as steels, flame retardants or ceramics, for which we predict the technical performance based on their chemical fingerprint. Besides traditional analytical instrumentation, such as mass spectrometry and/or optical or electron probes, we also develop “bottom-up” prototype spectroscopies that will hopefully transfer to the market in 10-15 years.