Developing next-generation separation technologies that use less energy and are more sustainable, particularly for gas and liquid purification for application in energy and environment.
Research topics
1
Energy-efficient CO₂ capture: We develop innovative membranes that can selectively capture carbon dioxide using much less energy than conventional methods.
2
Nanomaterials for clean separations: Our team designs atom-thin nanoporous materials that enable precise separation of gases and liquids at the molecular scale.
3
Scalable and sustainable membrane technologies: We work to translate our discoveries into practical, industrial-scale solutions that support cleaner and more sustainable chemical processes.
Our key projects
Graphene CO₂ Capture
CO₂ Capture with Atom-thin graphene MembranesDeveloping graphene (a Nobel prize winning material) based membranes that can selectively capture carbon dioxide with minimal energy use, supporting efforts to mitigate climate change.
GAZNAT, Shell, Academic collaborators at EPFL and other Universities
Ultrathin MOF Membranes
Ultrathin Crystalline Nanoporous Materials (MOFs) for Gas SeparationDesigning innovative thin films of MOFs (a Nobel prize winning material) that can distinguish between gas molecules at the atomic scale, offering breakthroughs for hydrogen purification and clean energy.
Academic collaborators at EPFL and other Universities
Scalable Membrane Fabrication
Translating lab discoveries into industrial prototypes. A highlight is capture of CO2 from Enevi waste incineration plant at the rate of 1 ton CO2 per day by scaling porous graphene membrane, under a CCUS project funded by EPFL (Solutions4Sustainability, funding of 9 million CHF). Website: https://s4s-ccus.epfl.ch
GAZNAT, Enevi, Divea, Academic collaborators at EPFL and other Universities
Our results and highlights
1
The lab achieved major advances in creating ultrathin membranes — only a few atoms thick — that can efficiently separate gases such as CO₂ and hydrogen.
2
Prof. Agrawal received several international distinctions, including an ERC Starting Grant, NAMS Young membrane Scientist Award (2018), the AIChE FRI/John G. Kunesh Award (2021), recognizing his pioneering work in separation science.
3
LAS participates in national and European collaborations focused on sustainable energy and carbon-capture technologies, including partnerships with the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and ERC projects.
4
The laboratory spinoff Divea (incorporated in 2024) is active in commercializing the low-cost carbon capture membranes. Laboratory has filed 10 patent application. Several are granted. 7 of these have been licensed by Divea.
5
LAS’s work has led to high-impact publications, global collaborations, and growing recognition for advancing clean-technology solutions that can reduce emissions and energy costs. Divea is carrying field trials of graphene membranes. The research group has developed pilot-plant demonstrators in collaboration with Valais, SFOE, and GAZNAT.
Team & talents
Lab team size
The LAS currently brings together around 20 researchers, including PhD students, postdocs, and engineers from more than ten countries.
Introducing a specific team member
We would like to highlight Dr. Jian Hao, a senior scientist at LAS, who plays a key role in developing next-generation membranes for CO₂ capture and gas separation. His expertise in nanomaterials and thin-film fabrication is central to transforming laboratory discoveries into scalable technologies.
Skills developed by the scientific team
Team members gain expertise in advanced materials synthesis, nanofabrication, and energy-efficient separation technologies, as well as project management and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Other
The lab strongly promotes diversity, mentoring, and an inclusive working culture that encourages creativity and innovation.
Regional and social impacts
1
Our research supports the global transition to low-carbon technologies by making CO₂ capture and purification processes more energy-efficient and affordable.
2
Based in Sion, the LAS strengthens the local innovation ecosystem, attracts international talent, and contributes to positioning Valais as a hub for clean-technology research.
3
By developing scalable and cost-effective separation technologies, the lab helps industries reduce energy use and emissions while improving their competitiveness and sustainability.
Perspectives and challenges
Main opportunities
LAS aims to expand the application of its advanced membrane technologies to large-scale CO₂ capture and clean hydrogen production. There are strong opportunities to strengthen links with industry and contribute to Switzerland’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Main challenges
The main challenge is to scale up these materials from lab prototypes to industrial systems while keeping production cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Bridging the gap between research and real-world implementation remains a key focus.
Future Partnerships
The lab seeks to collaborate with energy and manufacturing companies, as well as public institutions, to accelerate technology transfer and demonstrate the impact of advanced separations in sustainable industrial processes.
Laboratory of Materials for Renewable Energy (LMER)
Prof. Andreas Züttel
Laboratory of Materials for Renewable Energy (LMER)
The research spans from fundamental science to applied research in the domaine of renewable energy storage by means of hydrogen and its derivatives. Investigation of reaction mechanism especially for hydrogen interacting with metals and carbon as well as analysis of energy systems in order to substitute fossil fuels with renewable energy. Search for new creative and innovative solutions and working beyond the obvious.
Research topics
1
Interaction of hydrogen with metals, hydrogen intercallation and structure of hydrides.
2
Reduction of CO2 and carbon hydrates with hydrogen, synthetic hydrocarbons as sustainable fuels for the future renewable energy economy.
3
Analysis of the technical requirements and economic impacts of renewable energy systems.
Our key projects
Metal hydride storage
In collaboraion with several Korean groups and GRZ Technologies a energy storage system is developed consisting of an electrolyzer from Korea and a metal hydride storage system from Switzerland. New hydrides based on bcc alloys allow to almost double the hydrogen storage density.
1 MW methanation reactor demonstration
In collaboration with Gaznat a new type of methanation reactor was developed that allows to convert 99.6% of CO2 to methane in one step. A new high performance catalyst was developed, analyzed and optimized.
Feasibilty study for SAF
The potential production pathways for sustainable aviation fuels have been analyzed in detail for the determination ofthe four most important citeria, i.e. the efficiency, the space requirement, the investment cost and the cost of the fuel.
Our results and highlights
1
Publications on hydrides are the most cited in the field. Significant contributions hydrogen interaction with nanomaterials, metals and carbon.
2
Watt d’Or award, Hydrogen and Energy award
3
Long term international collaborations with leading groups in China, Japan, Korea, USA, and several European countries that led to many publications.
4
A series of patents on hydrides, catalysts, analytical techniques and applications are used in industry.
Team & talents
Lab team size
The team consists of 4 post docs, 9 PhD students and 2 to 5 internship students
Introducing a specific team member
Several former group members are now professors e.g. Wen LUO at Shanghai University or Emanuele MOIOLI at Poletechnico in Milano. Several group members have successfully created companies e.g. Noris GALLANDAT GRZ Technologis SA and Cedric KOOLEN SCIDENTIFY SA.
Skills developed by the scientific team
The learn to work not only on scientific interesting research topics but also to work on relevant scintific challenges and to produce valuable results beyond measurements.
Regional and social impacts
1
Renewable energy storage is the key technology needed in order to substitute the fossil fuels with renewables. The development of new new materials and technologies as well as the science directly serve the society.
2
The increasing contribution of renewable energy to the energy mix is a key topic in Valais. New technologies create new activities, work and prosperity.
3
The energy transition to renewables is also a transition of the energy market. The economy profits from the knowledge created about the future technologies.
Perspectives and challenges
Priority 1
Hydrogen in metals and the properties of hydrides
Priority 2
Sustainable aviation fuels from biological oil
Priority 3
Riority 3: Hydrogen conversion technologies
Main challenges
Focus on the promotion of natural intelligence to avoid substitution with artificial intelligence and spend time for the most relevant topics.
Future Partnerships
Increase the collaboration with China and concentrate on the best Chinese research groups to profit from the synergies and create mutual success.
We advance materials discovery by uniting molecular simulation, data science, and AI. Through rigorous modeling, high-quality data, and holistic digital platforms, we accelerate breakthroughs in reticular chemistry and carbon capture, creating tools with real-world impact.
Research topics
1
We use advanced computer simulations to understand how new materials work at the atomic level. This helps us predict important properties—such as how they hold heat, absorb gases, or move water—before we make them in the lab.
2
We combine large datasets with modern AI methods to identify which materials are most promising for a given job. Instead of testing thousands of materials experimentally, we let AI narrow the search to the most useful ones.
3
We synthesize and characterize new materials—such as bright, tunable luminescent compounds—to explore their properties experimentally and connect them to our simulations and AI models.
Our key projects
A unified platform linking material properties, process design, TEA and LCA to identify optimal CO₂-capture sorbents for real source–sink pairs.Used across >60 global case studies for system-level decisions.
Heriot-Watt University, ETHZ, UC Berkeley, ENS Paris
Using data-driven MOF screening, we identified robust CO₂-binding “adsorbaphores” resistant to humidity. Led to synthesis of Al-PMOF and Al-PyrMOF, which outperform commercial sorbents under wet conditions.
Heriot-Watt University, UC Berkeley
Fine-tuning large language models enables accurate prediction of materials properties and even inverse design with minimal data. Demonstrated across molecules, alloys and MOFs; surprisingly outperforms specialized ML in low-data regimes.
Our results and highlights
1
2 articles in Nature
2
Highly Cited Researcher in the field of Cross-Field – 2025
3
SNFS Advanced grant
4
DePOLY is a spin off from LSMO
Team & talents
Lab team size
16-18 people
Skills developed by the scientific team
AI, molecular simulation, MOF synthesis
Regional and social impacts
1
Fundamental research
Perspectives and challenges
Main opportunities
Develop AI-drivent materials design
Future Partnerships
Heriot-Watt Univeristy
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