Swiss – Swedish Teamwork

In the words of the contract, both research institutions aim to "intensify their cooperative work in various areas of applications-oriented research". These fields include the technical applications of nanoparticles, nanosciences and surface sciences, building materials, fibers and polymers, "smart" materials, and materials related to energy research. Exactly those research areas, in other words, which are at the focus of Empa's own interests. Collaborative research projects are already underway in the fields of photovoltaics and in road and transport infrastructure. The new contract is intended to facilitate the establishment of more innovative collaborative projects and promote the exchange of (guest-) scientists by means of joint workshops and similar events.

The place of study for 15,000 undergraduates and doctoral students: the KTH-Campus in Stockholm.

A successful partner
Empa has chosen a well-established and respected partner in the technology and innovations world. The KTH Stockholm is alma mater to some 13,000 undergraduates and about 1500 doctoral students, and its applications for EU research funding enjoy an extremely high success ratio. In fact in 2009 it was the most successful university in terms of research stipendia awards from the «European Research Council» (ERC) and it also boasts places on two of only three «Knowledge and Innovation Communities» (KICs) which were set up in December 2009 by the «European Institute of Innovation and Technology» (EIT).

The KTH is Sweden's oldest university. It was founded in 1827, making it 28 years older than the ETH.