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Energy transition: Bodies of water in conflict between protection and use
The looming energy crisis has increased the pressure to push ahead with the energy transition in Switzerland.
The looming energy crisis has increased the pressure to push ahead with the energy transition in Switzerland.
No climate neutrality without critical raw materials
Europe's energy transition will not succeed without access to essential metals like rare earths, says security researcher Julian Kamasa.
Europe's energy transition will not succeed without access to essential metals like rare earths, says security researcher Julian Kamasa.
Prizes for biomedical research in the Lake Geneva region
Three scientific prizes will be awarded this year by the Leenaards Foundation, including two for research carried out in partnership with EPFL.
Three scientific prizes will be awarded this year by the Leenaards Foundation, including two for research carried out in partnership with EPFL.
When researchers join forces in the fight against cancer
Since 2016, the Swiss Cancer Center Léman provides a space for scientists and clinicians from across the Lake Geneva region to pool their efforts, share insights and work together on innovative cancer treatments.
Since 2016, the Swiss Cancer Center Léman provides a space for scientists and clinicians from across the Lake Geneva region to pool their efforts, share insights and work together on innovative cancer treatments.
Making urban space more supportive of mental health
A participatory research project aimed at making the city more conducive to the recovery of people living with a diagnosis of psychosis starts on March 1. The project is led by the Department of Psychiatry of the CHUV, in collaboration with the Institute of Geography of the University of Neuchâtel (UniNE) and the Haute Ecole de santé La Source.
A participatory research project aimed at making the city more conducive to the recovery of people living with a diagnosis of psychosis starts on March 1. The project is led by the Department of Psychiatry of the CHUV, in collaboration with the Institute of Geography of the University of Neuchâtel (UniNE) and the Haute Ecole de santé La Source.
Producing bioplastics from wastewater
Wastewater treatment plants can do more than just wastewater treatment. In the future, they should also recover resources. One approach that researchers at Eawag are pursuing is the conversion of the organic carbon contained in wastewater into bioplastics with the help of bacteria. The treatment of wastewater to protect human health and water bodies remains the primary task of wastewater treatment plants.
Wastewater treatment plants can do more than just wastewater treatment. In the future, they should also recover resources. One approach that researchers at Eawag are pursuing is the conversion of the organic carbon contained in wastewater into bioplastics with the help of bacteria. The treatment of wastewater to protect human health and water bodies remains the primary task of wastewater treatment plants.
A greener alternative for aviation fuel
The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and the Swiss start-up Metafuels are developing a new process for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). They are now collaborating on the construction and operation of the first pilot plant on the PSI campus to validate the technology and prepare it for large-scale commercial deployment in the near future.
The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and the Swiss start-up Metafuels are developing a new process for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). They are now collaborating on the construction and operation of the first pilot plant on the PSI campus to validate the technology and prepare it for large-scale commercial deployment in the near future.
New technology revolutionizes the analysis of old ice
Ice cores are a unique climate archive. Thanks to a new method developed by researchers at the University of Bern and Empa, greenhouse gas concentrations in 1.5 million year old ice can be measured even more accurately. The EU project "Beyond EPICA" with the participation of the University of Bern aims to recover such old ice in Antarctica.
Ice cores are a unique climate archive. Thanks to a new method developed by researchers at the University of Bern and Empa, greenhouse gas concentrations in 1.5 million year old ice can be measured even more accurately. The EU project "Beyond EPICA" with the participation of the University of Bern aims to recover such old ice in Antarctica.
Unlocking the data treasure chest
The LOOP Zurich research centre is creating a central platform for the exchange of health data between the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and the four university hospitals. This will allow data to be utilised quickly and easily to the benefit of patients. When a patient is in intensive care, there are numerous instruments to monitor their state of health.
The LOOP Zurich research centre is creating a central platform for the exchange of health data between the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich and the four university hospitals. This will allow data to be utilised quickly and easily to the benefit of patients. When a patient is in intensive care, there are numerous instruments to monitor their state of health.
An atmospheric researcher with his feet firmly on the ground
Atmospheric chemist Thomas Peter retired at the end of January. A profile of a man who taught us about the properties and processes of suspended particles and helped shape the second-largest department at ETH Zurich.
Atmospheric chemist Thomas Peter retired at the end of January. A profile of a man who taught us about the properties and processes of suspended particles and helped shape the second-largest department at ETH Zurich.
Congratulations to our 2022 fellows
FMI researchers are awarded competitive grants and fellowship throughout the year, which speaks for the quality and potential of their work.
FMI researchers are awarded competitive grants and fellowship throughout the year, which speaks for the quality and potential of their work.
Crystalline light catchers
Three institutes in the ETH Domain are conducting research on so-called perovskite-based optoelectronics, such as solar cells, photodetectors, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In a project called AMYS, labs of EPFL, ETH Zurich and Empa have now joined forces for four years to explore new chemical compositions, but also simple and scalable low cost production methods.
Three institutes in the ETH Domain are conducting research on so-called perovskite-based optoelectronics, such as solar cells, photodetectors, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In a project called AMYS, labs of EPFL, ETH Zurich and Empa have now joined forces for four years to explore new chemical compositions, but also simple and scalable low cost production methods.
Patchwork of issues limits solar expansion
Whether rooftop solar panels are worth the cost is largely dependent in Switzer-land on local compensation rates for solar power and on electricity prices in gen-eral - these are the findings of a study by researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Bern.
Whether rooftop solar panels are worth the cost is largely dependent in Switzer-land on local compensation rates for solar power and on electricity prices in gen-eral - these are the findings of a study by researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Bern.
Seven new species of whitefish described in Central Switzerland
Biologists at Eawag have identified ten species of whitefish in the lakes of the Reuss river system. Of these, seven have been described as distinct species for the first time - although in two cases this required inspection of specimens from historical collections, since eutrophication of lakes in the 20th century also led to the extinction of fish species in Central Switzerland.
Biologists at Eawag have identified ten species of whitefish in the lakes of the Reuss river system. Of these, seven have been described as distinct species for the first time - although in two cases this required inspection of specimens from historical collections, since eutrophication of lakes in the 20th century also led to the extinction of fish species in Central Switzerland.
With nanoeffects towards new joining processes
Electronic components are becoming smaller, more complex and more powerful - this calls for new solutions for joining them. An Empa team is developing nanostructured joining materials for the next generation of microelectronics and other demanding applications. Gordon Moore was right. In April 1965, the US engineer and later co-founder of Intel predicted that the number of transistors on a chip would double about every two years.
Electronic components are becoming smaller, more complex and more powerful - this calls for new solutions for joining them. An Empa team is developing nanostructured joining materials for the next generation of microelectronics and other demanding applications. Gordon Moore was right. In April 1965, the US engineer and later co-founder of Intel predicted that the number of transistors on a chip would double about every two years.
The EPFL Spacecraft Team is launching EPFL back into space
On January 31, the EPFL Spacecraft Team's onboard computer Bunny was launched in California, USA, hosted on a D'Orbit spacecraft as part of Starlink's 2-6 mission.
On January 31, the EPFL Spacecraft Team's onboard computer Bunny was launched in California, USA, hosted on a D'Orbit spacecraft as part of Starlink's 2-6 mission.
Restoring nature equitably
Efforts to restore degraded ecosystems have so far fallen short of meeting global targets. Sound restoration must better incorporate social processes promoting equity in order to effectively benefit people, climate and biodiversity, says Sara Löfqvist. The United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Montreal closed this past December with an unprecedented agreement to place 30 percent of global degraded landscapes under protection by 2030, especially emphasizing the need to respect indigenous and local communities rights in the process.
Efforts to restore degraded ecosystems have so far fallen short of meeting global targets. Sound restoration must better incorporate social processes promoting equity in order to effectively benefit people, climate and biodiversity, says Sara Löfqvist. The United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Montreal closed this past December with an unprecedented agreement to place 30 percent of global degraded landscapes under protection by 2030, especially emphasizing the need to respect indigenous and local communities rights in the process.
Could the lack of snow signal drought in 2023?
The snowfall level is rising, and the amount of snow falling - if any - is less than usual. As a result, summer and autumn droughts are becoming more frequent.
The snowfall level is rising, and the amount of snow falling - if any - is less than usual. As a result, summer and autumn droughts are becoming more frequent.
An action plan to prevent Alzheimer’s disease
As the population ages, the number of people with Alzheimer's disease in Europe will double by 2050.
As the population ages, the number of people with Alzheimer's disease in Europe will double by 2050.
Researching, learning and adapting
One of the greatest unknowns in climate change is the question of how particulate matter affects clouds. Yu Wang is using machine learning and satellite data to investigate the surprising role of these tiny particles in the atmosphere. In autumn 2014, Iceland's Holuhraun volcano erupted, spewing daily about 120,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide into the air at its peak.
One of the greatest unknowns in climate change is the question of how particulate matter affects clouds. Yu Wang is using machine learning and satellite data to investigate the surprising role of these tiny particles in the atmosphere. In autumn 2014, Iceland's Holuhraun volcano erupted, spewing daily about 120,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide into the air at its peak.
Decontamination of Josefwiese due to elevated dioxin levels
Researchers have analyzed soil samples from the Josefwiese on behalf of the city of Zurich and detected elevated dioxin levels.
Researchers have analyzed soil samples from the Josefwiese on behalf of the city of Zurich and detected elevated dioxin levels.