Melanin is more valuable than gold. Researchers at Empa recently succeeded in extracting large quantities of the pigment from the honey fungus. One of the intended applications of this versatile substance is to restore antique wind instruments.

Cement production is responsible for 9 percent of carbon emissions in Switzerland. Researchers at Empa believe that this can be changed. Even cement production methods that absorb more CO₂ than they emit are on the horizon.