Summary

Empa researcher Dorina Opris received a "Proof of Concept Grant" from the European Research Council (ERC) worth approximately 150,000 euros. She has developed novel polysiloxane materials that serve as a fluorine-free alternative to PVDF plastics. The silicones can convert electrical energy into movement and are suitable for sensors, artificial muscles, and energy storage. Over the next 18 months, prototypes will be developed to bring the materials to market maturity.

People

  • Dorina Opris (Researcher, Empa Functional Polymers Laboratory)

Topics

  • Materials Science
  • Sustainable Chemistry
  • Technology Transfer
  • PFAS Alternatives

Clarus Lead

The funding addresses a central regulatory issue: increasing restrictions on PFAS substances ("forever chemicals") are forcing industry to search for alternatives. Opris' polysiloxanes offer a more environmentally friendly solution without fluorine-carbon bonds and with complete recyclability. The "Proof of Concept Grant" bridges the critical gap between basic research and industrial scaling – a notorious investment risk for companies.

Detailed Summary

The polysiloxanes developed at Empa differ fundamentally from conventional silicone: they are polar and function as dielectrics – materials that do not conduct electricity but interact with electric fields. When electric voltage is applied, they deform reversibly, converting electrical energy into mechanical movement.

The new material offers concrete advantages over the established PVDF standard. It is significantly more elastic, functions even at lower temperatures, and enables better actuators for outdoor applications. Manufacturing occurs as a printing ink, ensuring simple and scalable processing into thin layers. While production is energy-intensive, the material can be completely recycled – unlike PVDF, whose production involves solvents and ozone-depleting substances.

Opris plans to use the ERC funding to create and characterize in detail prototypes of dielectric thin layers. The goal is to convince industrial partners of the market potential. The fields of application are broad: robotics, automotive industry, batteries, capacitors, and electronic components. A spin-off company for commercialization is being considered as an option.

Key Statements

  • Polysiloxanes do not replace PVDF in all cases, but are better suited for specific applications
  • The "Proof of Concept" funding addresses investment risk during the transition to industrial scaling
  • Fluorine-free materials are becoming a necessity for industry and research due to regulatory pressure

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What electrical and mechanical performance parameters of the new polysiloxanes have already been measured, and how do they compare quantitatively with PVDF standards?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: Which industrial partners are already involved in the development, and could their interests influence the research direction?

  3. Causality/Alternatives: Are there other fluorine-free polymers in the development stage, and why are polysiloxanes the most promising approach?

  4. Feasibility/Risks: How realistic is the scaling of printing ink processes to industrial quantities, and what cost hurdles remain?

  5. Recycling Validity: Which recycling processes for polysiloxanes have already been developed or tested?

  6. Market Acceptance: How willing are manufacturers to replace established PVDF supply chains with new materials?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Empa Press Release – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/mDLk6iLh8NlfqPmr9S_3o

Verification Status: ✓ 11.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 11.06.2026