Minutes, documents and draft resolutions from meetings often contain confidential and liability-relevant information. How can meeting recordings be managed securely? Swiss software provides support here.
Hannes is a fictional character in an industrial company and "Hannes manages" is the title of the associated series of stories. Including subtle satire from and about the management floors...
Fungi are considered a promising source of biodegradable materials. Empa researchers have developed a new material based on a fungal mycelium and its extracellular matrix. This gives the biomaterial particularly advantageous properties.
Sustainably produced, biodegradable materials are an important focus of modern materials research. However, the processing of natural materials such as cellulose, lignin or chitin presents researchers with a compromise. In their pure form, natural materials are biodegradable, but often do not perform well enough. Chemical processing steps can be used to make them stronger, more resistant or more supple - but in doing so, they lose out on sustainability.
Empa researchers from the "Cellulose and Wood Materials" laboratory have now developed a bio-based material that cleverly avoids this compromise. Not only is it completely biodegradable, it is also tear-resistant and has versatile functional properties. All this with minimal processing steps and without any chemicals - you can even eat it. Its secret: it's alive.
As the basis for their novel material, the researchers used the mycelium of the common cleavers, a widespread edible fungus that grows on dead wood. Mycelia are root-like filamentous fungal structures that are already being actively researched as potential sources of material. Normally, the mycelial fibers - known as hyphae - are cleaned and, if necessary, chemically processed, which entails the well-known trade-off between performance and sustainability.
The Empa researchers chose a different approach. Instead of laboriously processing the mycelium, they use it as a whole. When growing, the fungus not only forms hyphae, but also a so-called extracellular matrix: a network of different fiber-like macromolecules, proteins and other biological substances that the living cells secrete. "The fungus uses this extracellular matrix to give itself structure and other functional properties. Why shouldn't we do the same?" explains Empa researcher Ashutosh Sinha. "Nature has already developed an optimized system," adds Gustav Nyström, head of the "Cellulose and Wood Materials" laboratory.
With a little targeted post-optimization, the researchers have given nature a helping hand. From the enormous genetic diversity of the common cleavers, they selected a strain that produces a particularly large amount of two specific macromolecules: the long-chain polysaccharide schizophyllan and the soap-like protein hydrophobin. Due to their structure, hydrophobins collect at interfaces between polar and apolar liquids, for example water and oil. Schizophyllan is a nanofiber: less than a nanometer thick, but more than a thousand times as long. Together, these two biomolecules give the living mycelium material properties that make it suitable for a wide range of applications.
The researchers demonstrated the versatility of their material in the laboratory. In their study, which was recently published in the journal "Advanced Materials", they presented two possible applications for the living material: a plastic-like film and an emulsion. Emulsions are mixtures of two or more liquids that normally cannot be mixed. If you want to see an example, all you have to do is open the fridge: Milk, salad dressing or mayonnaise are all examples. But various cosmetics, paints and varnishes are also available as emulsions.
One challenge is to stabilize such mixtures so that they do not "segregate" back into the individual liquids over time. This is where the living mycelium shows its best side: both the schizophyllan fibers and the hydrophobins act as emulsifiers. And the living fungus is constantly releasing more of these molecules. "This is probably the only type of emulsion that becomes more stable over time," says Sinha. Both the fungal filaments themselves and their auxiliary molecules are completely non-toxic, biologically compatible and even edible - the common split-leaf mushroom is considered an edible mushroom in many parts of the world. "Its use as an emulsifier in the cosmetics and food industry is therefore particularly interesting," says Nyström.
However, the living fungal network is also suitable for classic material applications. In a second experiment, the researchers produced thin films from their mycelium. The extracellular matrix with the long schizophyllan fibers gives the material very good tensile strength, which can be further enhanced by targeted alignment of the fungal and polysaccharide fibers.
"We combine the proven methods for processing fiber-based materials with the emerging field of living materials," explains Nyström. Sinha adds: "Our mycelium is a living fiber composite, so to speak." The researchers can control the properties of this material by changing the conditions under which the fungus grows. It would also be conceivable to use other fungal strains or species that produce other functional macromolecules.
However, working with the living material also presents certain challenges. "Biodegradable materials always react to their environment," says Nyström. "We want to find applications where this interaction is not a hindrance - or even an advantage." However, biodegradability is only part of the story for the mycelium. It is also biodegradable: the common cleavers can actively decompose wood and plant materials. Sinha sees a further potential application here: "Instead of compostable plastic bags for kitchen waste, it could be used to make bags that compost the organic waste themselves," says the researcher.
There are also promising applications for the mycelium in the field of sustainable electronics. For example, the fungal material reacts reversibly to moisture and could be used to produce biodegradable moisture sensors. Another application that Nyström's team is currently working on combines the living material with two other research projects from the Cellulose and Wood Materials laboratory: the mushroom battery and the paper battery. "We want to produce a compact, biodegradable battery whose electrodes consist of a living 'mushroom paper'," says Sinha.
Anna Ettlin is a science editor and works in communications at Empa. www.empa.ch
For more than ten years, Leo Martin has been training specialists and managers in leadership, communication in extreme situations and understanding human nature. Previously, his job as an agent with the German domestic secret service was to recruit and lead confidence men in the organized crime milieu.
There are many reasons why companies have to replace individual raw materials or materials with others. The search for alternatives is time-consuming and often ends in failure. A research team from Fraunhofer IPA has now developed an AI-supported tool for material substitution.
Cobalt is used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and therefore plays an important role in the energy transition. However, the silver-grey metal is a critical raw material for several reasons: Cobalt is rare. It makes up just 0.004 percent of the earth's crust. The world's known cobalt reserves are estimated at 7.2 million tons. More than half of these, around four million tons, are located on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Working conditions in the mines of this unstable Central African country are often poor and the environmental damage caused by ore mining is extensive.
Whether it's a lack of security of supply, excessively high prices on the global market, ethical concerns, bans or product innovations with better material properties: There are many reasons for companies to look for alternative materials. "There are databases that product developers can use for research. But they often don't provide any useful results because they don't take into account the exact application in the company," says Charlotte Schmidt from the Sustainability and Material Compliance Management research team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA in Stuttgart.
To make the search easier and achieve more suitable results, Schmidt and two colleagues have developed an AI-supported tool for material substitution. Using an input screen, users first have to enter specific details about the material or raw material they want to replace and then specify the required properties of the alternative material as well as information about the context of the desired material use. This is followed by an AI search, which searches the "Semantic Scholar" database using the specific data and user requirements. By comparing the user input with the information available in the database, the AI identifies suitable alternative materials.
The AI connection for material substitution is just one of several components with which the researchers support companies in their search for alternative raw materials, materials or chemical substances. Once the AI has completed its task, it subjects the proposed substitutes and the source materials to a comprehensive assessment, taking into account legal, ecological and social aspects as well as security of supply. In close consultation with the company in question, the scientists then check how exactly the proposed materials meet the specific requirements. A report is produced at the end of the process. This presents the most suitable substitutes and the assessment of the various criteria. The scientists thus provide companies with a sound basis for decision-making.
One of the alternatives to cobalt suggested by the AI-supported material substitution tool is iron. "It is not a new discovery that lithium iron phosphate can be used for the cathodes of batteries instead of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide," says Schmidt. "But this and other results have shown us that the AI connection is promising in the search for alternative materials."
About the research project
The AI-supported material substitution tool was developed as part of the "Ultra-Efficiency Factory - Deep Dive" research project, which was launched in April 2024 and will run until the end of August 2025. The research project is supported by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector with a total of 1.4 million euros. Other project partners from industry and science are also involved.
Digital communication has become an integral part of everyday working life. It is the game changer par excellence when it comes to the digital presence of managers, as the digital presence becomes part of personal branding. Successful managers influence their stakeholder relationships in this way.
The topic of "Diversity & Inclusion" has somewhat disappeared from the spotlight. However, this does not mean that it has lost its topicality or can simply be considered "done". Marc Maurer, whose company XCulture provides impetus for inclusive corporate cultures, shares this view.
Unconscious prejudices, so-called "unconscious biases", shape everyone. Diversity expert and titular professor Gudrun Sander explains how they affect recruitment and promotions, how to become aware of them and how to reduce them.
In summer, photovoltaics provide an abundance of electricity - energy that you would actually like to "save" for the winter. Storing the summer energy surplus for times when demand is higher is a challenge for energy management. A Swiss SME has developed an interesting solution.
Managers need a new self-image and new "intelligences" in order to have the desired impact in a world characterized by rapid change. Barbara Liebermeister is convinced of this. An interview with her.
The "SwissSkills" professional championships will soon be taking place. Young professionals will be showcasing their skills and promoting their profession. We spoke to Bernhard von Mühlenen, Director of the employers' association AM Suisse, about the opportunities and challenges of vocational training.
Traditional customer acquisition costs time, resources and often also budget. But what if a large part of this can now be done in minutes - thanks to AI?
Let's be honest: how often have you resolved to strategically expand your customer portfolio? Develop your marketing strategy further and implement it smartly? And then, once again, day-to-day operations get in the way: The complex trade fair planning, the new tender, the next customer pitch ...
What is already commonplace in corporations is also becoming a real opportunity for SMEs: with the right AI tools, visibility, reach and leads can be scaled from scratch - without additional staff or external agencies. The following eight proven strategies show how artificial intelligence can be used specifically in marketing and sales - without any specialist knowledge, but with measurable results.
Do you have a new service, an exciting event or an attractive reference project? Instead of long agency briefings and coordination loops, the AI only needs a few keywords: what, for whom, with what goal. ChatGPT & Co. use these to create a professional social media post within seconds. GPT 4o or Midjourney provides the appropriate visuals. Result: From concept to publication in 15 minutes instead of 3 hours.
Many medium-sized companies sound interchangeable in their external communication. With AI, you can define your own language, highlight your special features and generate individual marketing messages that make your positioning and brand truly visible. More emotional, more authentic, more effective.
Whether innovative, factual or appreciative: your language is part of your brand. And that's exactly what AI can learn! If you define how your communication sounds (and how it doesn't), it creates texts that fit seamlessly into your customer communication. Our tip: Create a language profile - your "brand voice". This will keep your communication consistent - across all communication channels.
A white paper, a webinar, a customer project? Use AI to develop many formats from it: LinkedIn post, newsletter, website text, event announcement or even a sales script. What used to disappear into a drawer now becomes multichannel content - ensuring more leads and a well-filled funnel.
What topics are currently of interest to your target group? What questions are frequently asked by your customers? AI tools such as Perplexity or Gemini help you to identify relevant trends, keywords and search queries at an early stage - for better content decisions and a real visibility advantage.
Traditional SEO is no longer enough: more and more users are using AI-supported searches. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is needed to ensure that your website remains relevant there. AI helps to create structures and prepare your content in such a way that it can also be found in this new world of search.
Editorial plans, FAQs, sales emails, sales arguments: AI can take over many standard tasks, for example through a digital assistant. This takes the pressure off your teams, saves costs and ensures efficient communication. A real competitive advantage, especially for SMEs with limited capacities.
Success is not created by tools, but by people. Take your team with you: Explain how AI works, let employees try out their own prompts and promote the internal exchange of knowledge. This creates digital sovereignty instead of uncertainty.
Conclusion: AI does not replace strategy - but it makes marketing and sales more agile, faster and more measurable. With the right know-how, you can get the most out of it: from text creation to lead generation and offer generation. But if you want to use AI sensibly in the long term, you need a solid foundation. My tip: Invest specifically in AI training or AI coaching. Learn how prompts are structured, how to avoid typical mistakes and how to make your processes scalable with AI. Because in the end, it's not just what a company achieves that counts - but how visible it is in the process.
More information: https://schubs.com/Ki-Kompetenz/
Sandra Schubert from Rosenheim (Germany) is a long-standing sales expert and certified AI Marketing and Digital Sales Manager. She specializes in developing efficient customer acquisition strategies for companies. Strong synergies between marketing and sales as well as between human and artificial creativity are important to her.
