Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI)

The Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI) is a renowned interdisciplinary research center at the University of Fribourg in Fribourg, Switzerland, specializing in soft nanoscience and materials research. Founded in 2008 through a major endowment by Swiss entrepreneur Adolphe Merkle, AMI was established to strengthen research and education in advanced nanotechnology and material sciences.

AMI’s core mission is to advance both fundamental and application-oriented research by integrating expertise from chemistry, physics, biology, and materials science. Its research groups focus on areas such as BioNanomaterials, Polymer Chemistry & Materials, Soft Matter Physics, and BioPhysics, tackling challenges ranging from stimuli-responsive polymers and bio-inspired materials to nanostructured devices and energy-related materials.

In addition to research, AMI provides advanced training and education for Master’s and PhD students, and engages in collaborative projects with industry and academic partners worldwide to foster innovation and technology transfer.