27May2026
13:00 – 17:00 Empa Akademie, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf

Materials IQ – Workshop Materials & surfaces for space – future technologies & challenges

NTN Innovative Surfaces

Space technology is highly dependent on protective surfaces and innovative materials. In addition to light metals, materials that are resistant to radia-tionand temperature, as well as fati-gue, abrasion and corrosion, are in particular demand. Space technology is a source of innovation because it sets requirements that are almost always much higher than in any terrestrial application. The event connects forward-looking research with Swiss industry, renowned for its precision technology and innovative surface engineering.

Participants discuss new ideas for highly demanding environments.

The event is aimed at scientific institutions, industry & technology providers and policymakers, as well as platform operators with future-oriented material concepts and surface technologies for space applications.

Registration until 21 May 2026, using this link

Program/Schedule

12:45 UhrWelcome coffee

13:00 Uhr

 

 

 

13.10 Uhr

 

 

13.25 Uhr

 

13.35 Uhr

 

 

14.10 Uhr

 

 

14.30 Uhr

 

 

14.50 Uhr

Welcome & introduction

Patrik Hoffmann, Empa / EPF Lausanne

Markus Schölmerich, ESA Phi-Lab, Paul Scherrer Institut PSI

 

Space activities @ Empa

Lorenz Herrmann, Empa

 

Keynote Surprise Speaker

 

Innovative materials for sustainable space application

Ugo Lafont, European Space Research & Technology Centre ESTEC

 

Space environment effects on optical instrumentation

Nicolas Thomas, University of Bern

 

4D Printing for shape morphing and passive, adaptive structures

Kristina Shea, ETH Zurich

 

Tailoring MXenes for durable friction control in extreme environments

Manel Rodriguez Ripoll, AC2T research GmbH

15:10 UhrCoffee Break

15:40 Uhr

 

 

16.00 Uhr

 

 

16.20 Uhr

 

 

16.40 Uhr

R⁴: Radiation-Hard Refractory Robust Rotation

Max Erick Busse-Grawitz, maxon international Ltd.

 

What goes up must come down

Stephan Hellmich, EPF Lausanne

 

High entropy oxide for extreme environments

Rishabh Hellmich, Laboratory of Astrophysiscs EPF Lausanne

 

From Earth to Space, small to large : technology bricks for space exploration

Eleonore Poli, CSEM SA

17:00 UhrClosing remarks & network-apéro

Location

Empa Akademie
Ueberlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Schweiz

Map location

Empa Akademie
Überlandstrasse 129
8600 Dübendorf
Schweiz

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