Adolphe Merkle Institute Information

The Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI) is an independent competence center at the University of Fribourg that focuses on research and education in the domain of soft nanomaterials. We owe our existence to Dr. Adolphe Merkle, a successful local entrepreneur, who established the Foundation bearing his name with the goal of strengthening research and teaching at the University of Fribourg. This in turn led to the constitution of AMI. His CHF 100 million endowment remains one of the most important private donations in Switzerland in favor of academic research. Founded in 2008, AMI is in many aspects unique in the landscape of Switzerland’s research institutions. Our focus on soft nanomaterials is unmatched in Switzerland and beyond. Our research combines fundamental and application-oriented aspects in a multidisciplinary setting. Through collaborations with industrial partners, AMI aims to stimulate innovation, foster industrial competitiveness, and more generally, improve the quality of life. Our researchers are currently organized in four research groups that offer complementary expertise and interests in strategically important areas: BioNanomaterials, Polymer Chemistry & Materials, Soft Matter Physics, and BioPhysics. Interdisciplinary collaborations between our researchers are the basis for the successful and efficient execution of complex research projects that transcend the boundaries of traditional scientific disciplines. This environment and our world-class research facilities make AMI a desirable destination for master’s and PhD students, postdocs, and established researchers.