For some time, Empa has settled between university and the market and, together with its industrial partners, endeavored to get new technologies “on the road” – highly successfully, too, as the examples in the current issue of EmpaNews on the topic of technology transfer demonstrate.

And also in this issue: Programmable materials: Phononic crystals – a revolution in mechanical engineering? --- Air cushions can save lives: Insulating gear for extreme conditions. --- Diamonds are poor kissers: A failed experiment as cover story.