Empa — Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology

Aerogel Research Institute. Empa — Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology — is a leading public-sector materials research institution based in Dübendorf, Switzerland. Its Building Energy Materials and Concrete & Asphalt laboratories have published extensively on silica aerogel-based insulating plasters, aerogel-enhanced concrete, and aerogel blanket systems for building envelope retrofitting. Empa researchers have contributed to the development and performance evaluation of aerogel-based thermal insulation across the full value chain, from material synthesis and characterization to building physics simulation and real-world demonstration projects. The institution also operates NEST, a modular research and innovation building, where aerogel insulation products have been tested under realistic conditions. Empa’s aerogel-related work is relevant for researchers, manufacturers, and building professionals seeking expertise in advanced porous insulation materials, thermal performance testing, and building integration.