Follow-up workshop: materials & surfaces for space – future technologies & challenges

26.11.2026 till 26.11.2026 | Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare, Parkstrasse 1, 5234 Villigen

The next era of space exploration will be shaped by technologies that bridge the gap between research and indus-trial application. The focus will be on transformative developments in space medicine, the transfer of terrestrial expertise to the most demanding space environments, and advanced solutions for cleanliness in future missions. Building on the momentum of our event in May, we will look be-yond today’s boundaries to explore emerging opportunities in industrial space exploration, next-generation metallic materials and manufacturing technologies, and self-healing com-posites. At the heart of the discussion is one key question: How can break-through innovation move from the laboratory into real-world space applications?

26 November 2026, from 1.00 to 5.00 p.m. at Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare, Parkstrasse 1, 5234 Villigen

In cooperation with:   

Download the Preliminary program and further information here

12.45	Welcome coffee
13.00	Welcome & introduction Patrik Hofmann, Empa/EPF Lausanne / Markus Schölmerich, ESA Phi-Lab, Paul Scherrer Institut PSI
	Challenges in Space Medicine Research Jaap Swanenburg, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, University of Zurich
	Space needs what you know – how terrestrial expertise can become space-relevant Jennifer Ngo-Anh, ESA Directorate of Human & Robotic Exploration
	SpaHuman Space Operations and Biofilms Roland Stocker, ESA USOC BIOTESC, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU)
	Analytical Spheres – Tracking Particles & Identifying CleaningLimits Janine-Melanie Potreck, Cosa Group GmbH
14.50	Coffee break
15.20	How the Space Revolution Changes our Industry Tobias Gerngross, Beyond Gravity Schweiz AG
	Engineering Metals for Space – From Alloy Design to Advanced Manufacturing Christian Leinenbach, Empa
	Healable Composites for Space Applications: Bridging Technology Readiness and Implementation Amaël Cohades, CompPair Technologies Ltd.
	Title tbd Mirko Meier, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW)
17.00	Closing remarks & network-apéro

Workshop fees:
– NTN Innovative Surfaces members CHF 50.- (excl. VAT)
– Non-members CHF 120.- (excl. VAT)
Cancellation policy: Administrative fee CHF 50.- (excl. VAT), Substitutes are accepted.