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Environment - 16.07.2019
Environment - 16.07.2019
Environment - 10.07.2019 
Shared e-cargo bikes: boom and barriers in Basel
Sustainable means of mobility are becoming ever more popular. In Switzerland, around 15,000 people have registered with the online platform carvelo2go, which hires out electric cargo bikes.
Environment - 08.07.2019
Environment - Materials Science - 08.07.2019 
Ways into the future of energy
A new Empa study shows how much work still lies ahead of us if Switzerland is to do without fossil fuels in the future. There are two possible solutions: storing large amounts of energy in summer and limiting our demand in winter, or generating energy in the "sunny south" or "windy north" of the world and transporting it here.
Materials Science - Environment - 05.07.2019
Materials Science - Environment - 04.07.2019 
New record for flexible thin-film solar cells
Never before has such an efficient flexible CIGS solar cell been built. Empa researchers achieve an efficiency of 20.8% - breaking their own record.
Environment - Astronomy / Space Science - 26.06.2019
Environment - Business / Economics - 26.06.2019
Environment - 26.06.2019
Agronomy / Food Science - Environment - 25.06.2019
Physics - Environment - 17.06.2019 
Google funds EPFL research on nuclear phenomena
EPFL's Laboratory for Ultrafast Microscopy and Electron Scattering has received a grant from Google to use shaped electron beams in the cutting-edge field of Nuclear Excitation by Electron Capture (NEEC). Dr Fabrizio Carbone's Laboratory for Ultrafast Microscopy and Electron Scattering (LUMES) today announced that Google has funded a 4-year research project in the lab.
Environment - 06.06.2019 
Four scientific institutions will monitor Switzerland from space
UNEP/GRID-Geneva, the universities of Geneva and Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research join forces for the continuous monitoring of Switzerland from space using the Swiss Data Cube.
Environment - Health - 30.05.2019 
European Scientists Call for Climate Action
A new report highlights an alarming range of health risks in Europe due to climate change and the benefits of a rapid phase out of fossil fuels. The report entitled "The imperative of climate action to protect human health in Europe" was published yesterday by the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC).
Environment - 29.05.2019
Innovation / Technology - Environment - 27.05.2019
Environment - 24.05.2019 
Website provides real-time forecasts for Swiss lakes
A new website, www.meteolakes.ch , provides up-to-date information - such as water temperature, current speed, the chances of a storm and the presence of algae and whirlpools - on Switzerland's main lakes.
Earth Sciences - Environment - 24.05.2019
Environment - 17.05.2019
Environment - Innovation / Technology - 13.05.2019 
Turning wastewater sludge into energy and mineral salts
A system developed by EPFL spin-off TreaTech can turn sludge from wastewater treatment plants into mineral salts - which could be used in fertilizer, for example - and biogas.
Environment - 10.05.2019
Environment - 26.04.2019
Environment - 24.04.2019
Materials Science - Environment - 15.04.2019
Innovation / Technology - Environment - 10.04.2019 
Leveraging technologies to address major societal challenges
Tech4Impact, founded in 2017, is EPFL's pioneering multi-stakeholder platform where students, researchers, large enterprises, NGOs and startups come together to enhance the university's social and environmental impact in the areas of education, research and innovation.
Environment - Administration - 03.04.2019
Transport - Environment - 26.03.2019 
Gaps in the law cause pollution
Diesel vans are dirtier in winter than many know: Where there are still gaps in emissions legislation, soot particles and nitrogen oxides (NOx) continue to be produced.
Environment - 25.03.2019
Environment - Social Sciences - 22.03.2019 
World Water Day: What access to clean water really means
"No one may be left behind," writes Unesco in its World Water Report. Today, three out of ten people have no access to safe drinking water and even less to sanitation facilities, often because they are discriminated against for various reasons.
Environment - Politics - 19.03.2019 
Center to protect the Red Sea ecosystem
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), announced on Tuesday Switzerland's support for EPFL's project to create a "Transnational Red Sea Research Center".
Environment - 15.03.2019 
Cable cars could reshape urban landscapes
For his thesis at EPFL, Fernando Simas studied how cable cars could be an appealing transportation option for city commuters, and how they could be incorporated into tomorrow's urban landscapes.
Transport - Environment - 12.03.2019 
The future of mobility is diverse
Empa is presenting sustainable fuels of the future at the Petroleum Association's stand in Hall 6 of the Geneva Motor Show.
Environment - Innovation / Technology - 11.03.2019 
Tove Larsen explains the toilet revolution
The latest urine-diverting toilet is being "officially" presented today at the ISH sanitation trade fair in Frankfurt.
Environment - 07.03.2019
Environment - Business / Economics - 06.03.2019 
"With complex problems, decisions made from gut instinct can be quite wrong."
Judit Leinert, you're a specialist in good decision making. How can I decide on the perfect place to go on holiday this summer? In my research group, we approach decision making with the help of "Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis", or MCDA.
Environment - 28.02.2019 
Frequent sediment flushing threatens macroinvertebrate diversity in Alpine streams
Alpine streams have been extensively modified by dams and water intakes to permit hydropower exploitation. This leads to changes in flow regimes and sediment dynamics, and thus also in the distribution of animal and plant species. To keep ecological impacts to a minimum, it is important to ensure adequate minimum flows and, in addition, to restore natural sediment dynamics.
Environment - Innovation / Technology - 27.02.2019 
Building digitally, living digitally
DFAB HOUSE has officially opened today on the NEST building of Empa and Eawag in Dübendorf. It is the world's first inhabited "house" that was not only digitally planned, but also ' with the help of robots and 3D printers ' built largely digitally. The construction technologies were developed by ETH Zurich researchers in collaboration with industrial partners.
Innovation / Technology - Environment - 19.02.2019 
New residential solar panels deliver record-breaking efficiency
The solar panels developed by startup Insolight boast an impressive 29% yield - a record for the retail market. These systems, which have now been standardized for mass production, contain lenses that focus sunlight on tiny high-yield photovoltaic cells, employing what is a pioneering approach for the solar-power industry.
Environment - Life Sciences - 19.02.2019 
Fly larvae make biowaste disposal more climate friendly
As the world's population continues to grow, the piles of biowaste also tower higher and higher.
Environment - Politics - 15.02.2019 
Water Diplomacy at the Service of States in West Africa
The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal initiate a discussion for the joint management of a shared aquifer system essential to the economic and socialdevelopment of this region of 24 million people.
Materials Science - Environment - 14.02.2019 
New additive provides fire protection for wood
Together with BRUAG Fire Protection AG, Empa specialists have developed a new flame retardant for wood and wood-based materials.
Materials Science - Environment - 14.02.2019 
New additive provides fire protection for wood-based materials
Together with BRUAG Fire Protection AG, Empa specialists have developed a new flame retardant for wood and wood-based materials.
Environment - Innovation / Technology - 12.02.2019 
Optimizing energy flows
Interdisciplinary, interconnected and oriented towards a sustainable future: These words describe Kristina Orehounig just as aptly as they describe the Empa laboratory "Urban Energy Systems", which she is heading since February 2018. She has chosen an unusual path to her current scientific discipline - but that is precisely what she sees as an advantage in her day-to-day research.
Environment - Life Sciences - 11.02.2019 
"The Arctic atmosphere is key to understanding climate change"
This summer, 40 international scientists will participate in the GLACE expedition around Greenland in order to study the effects of climate change in that region.
Environment - 06.02.2019 
Top of Europe
At the beginning of the 1930s, when European countries were sealing themselves off, Switzerland opened the internationally oriented Jungfraujoch research station.
Environment - Business / Economics - 01.02.2019
Environment - Life Sciences - 30.01.2019 
Urban biodiversity: Remarkable diversity of small animals in Basel gardens
Gardens in urban areas can harbor a remarkable diversity of species. This has been found by researchers from the University of Basel in a field study carried out with the support of private garden owners from the Basel region. Furthermore, the research team shows that nature-friendly garden management and design can largely compensate for the negative effects of urbanization on biodiversity.
Environment - 28.01.2019
Environment - 24.01.2019 
Eawag at the 2019 World Economic Forum
A walk-through exhibition introduces people to innovative projects from various institutes.
Environment - Life Sciences - 24.01.2019
Environment
Results 1 - 50 of 371.
Sustainable means of mobility are becoming ever more popular. In Switzerland, around 15,000 people have registered with the online platform carvelo2go, which hires out electric cargo bikes.
A new Empa study shows how much work still lies ahead of us if Switzerland is to do without fossil fuels in the future. There are two possible solutions: storing large amounts of energy in summer and limiting our demand in winter, or generating energy in the "sunny south" or "windy north" of the world and transporting it here.
How to make Switzerland CO2-free
Switzerland is about to undergo a comprehensive transformation of its energy system if it plans to drastically curb its CO2 emissions.
Switzerland is about to undergo a comprehensive transformation of its energy system if it plans to drastically curb its CO2 emissions.
Never before has such an efficient flexible CIGS solar cell been built. Empa researchers achieve an efficiency of 20.8% - breaking their own record.
Lunar mission deep in Zermatt's ice
On 17 June, students from EPFL and 12 other European universities headed to Zermatt as part of the IGLUNA project.
On 17 June, students from EPFL and 12 other European universities headed to Zermatt as part of the IGLUNA project.
Federal Council discusses sustainable finance and sets out next steps
During its meeting on 26 June 2019, the Federal Council held a discussion on a sustainable Swiss financial centre.
During its meeting on 26 June 2019, the Federal Council held a discussion on a sustainable Swiss financial centre.
Lack of knowledge and experience are slowing implementation of Energy Strategy 2050
The National Research Programmes "Energy Turnaround" (NRP 70) and "Managing Energy Consumption" (NRP 71) have investigated the key factors influencing society's willingness to accept technology and behavioural change and distilled them into specific recommendations.
The National Research Programmes "Energy Turnaround" (NRP 70) and "Managing Energy Consumption" (NRP 71) have investigated the key factors influencing society's willingness to accept technology and behavioural change and distilled them into specific recommendations.
Grassland Researchers Meet in Zurich
Switzerland is a grassland. The climate and soil provide ideal conditions for grass production, and thus for sustainable milk and meat production, whilst natural conditions are often unfavourable for arable farming. However, grass production too is facing new challenges. Despite extreme weather such as drought, the agricultural sector aims to produce top-quality forage, so that concentrate use can be reduced as much as possible.
Switzerland is a grassland. The climate and soil provide ideal conditions for grass production, and thus for sustainable milk and meat production, whilst natural conditions are often unfavourable for arable farming. However, grass production too is facing new challenges. Despite extreme weather such as drought, the agricultural sector aims to produce top-quality forage, so that concentrate use can be reduced as much as possible.
EPFL's Laboratory for Ultrafast Microscopy and Electron Scattering has received a grant from Google to use shaped electron beams in the cutting-edge field of Nuclear Excitation by Electron Capture (NEEC). Dr Fabrizio Carbone's Laboratory for Ultrafast Microscopy and Electron Scattering (LUMES) today announced that Google has funded a 4-year research project in the lab.
UNEP/GRID-Geneva, the universities of Geneva and Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research join forces for the continuous monitoring of Switzerland from space using the Swiss Data Cube.
A new report highlights an alarming range of health risks in Europe due to climate change and the benefits of a rapid phase out of fossil fuels. The report entitled "The imperative of climate action to protect human health in Europe" was published yesterday by the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC).
ReMaP - Key to the energy systems of the future
Our energy system is changing: The permanent availability of energy in the right place at the right time is becoming more demanding. At the same time, digitalization offers us new tools for better controlling energy flows. A new joint energy research platform of ETH Zurich, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and Empa - ReMaP - aims at contributing to a better understanding of interconnected future energy systems.
Our energy system is changing: The permanent availability of energy in the right place at the right time is becoming more demanding. At the same time, digitalization offers us new tools for better controlling energy flows. A new joint energy research platform of ETH Zurich, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) and Empa - ReMaP - aims at contributing to a better understanding of interconnected future energy systems.
A new website, www.meteolakes.ch , provides up-to-date information - such as water temperature, current speed, the chances of a storm and the presence of algae and whirlpools - on Switzerland's main lakes.
A system developed by EPFL spin-off TreaTech can turn sludge from wastewater treatment plants into mineral salts - which could be used in fertilizer, for example - and biogas.
Schadenfreude: Your Pain Is My Gain
If someone in the workplace is mistreated, their colleagues may respond with empathy - or with schadenfreude.
If someone in the workplace is mistreated, their colleagues may respond with empathy - or with schadenfreude.
Win-win for home and grid
Solar systems on the roofs of residential buildings often produce energy precisely when the tenants can't actually use it. Stationary batteries enable this energy to be utilized in the evening, at night or on a rainy day. A research project at Empa is investigating whether the use of stationary batteries makes economic sense for the consumer while at the same time offering advantages for energy suppliers.
Solar systems on the roofs of residential buildings often produce energy precisely when the tenants can't actually use it. Stationary batteries enable this energy to be utilized in the evening, at night or on a rainy day. A research project at Empa is investigating whether the use of stationary batteries makes economic sense for the consumer while at the same time offering advantages for energy suppliers.
Tech4Impact, founded in 2017, is EPFL's pioneering multi-stakeholder platform where students, researchers, large enterprises, NGOs and startups come together to enhance the university's social and environmental impact in the areas of education, research and innovation.
Diesel vans are dirtier in winter than many know: Where there are still gaps in emissions legislation, soot particles and nitrogen oxides (NOx) continue to be produced.
"No one may be left behind," writes Unesco in its World Water Report. Today, three out of ten people have no access to safe drinking water and even less to sanitation facilities, often because they are discriminated against for various reasons.
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), announced on Tuesday Switzerland's support for EPFL's project to create a "Transnational Red Sea Research Center".
For his thesis at EPFL, Fernando Simas studied how cable cars could be an appealing transportation option for city commuters, and how they could be incorporated into tomorrow's urban landscapes.
Empa is presenting sustainable fuels of the future at the Petroleum Association's stand in Hall 6 of the Geneva Motor Show.
The latest urine-diverting toilet is being "officially" presented today at the ISH sanitation trade fair in Frankfurt.
Judit Leinert, you're a specialist in good decision making. How can I decide on the perfect place to go on holiday this summer? In my research group, we approach decision making with the help of "Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis", or MCDA.
Alpine streams have been extensively modified by dams and water intakes to permit hydropower exploitation. This leads to changes in flow regimes and sediment dynamics, and thus also in the distribution of animal and plant species. To keep ecological impacts to a minimum, it is important to ensure adequate minimum flows and, in addition, to restore natural sediment dynamics.
DFAB HOUSE has officially opened today on the NEST building of Empa and Eawag in Dübendorf. It is the world's first inhabited "house" that was not only digitally planned, but also ' with the help of robots and 3D printers ' built largely digitally. The construction technologies were developed by ETH Zurich researchers in collaboration with industrial partners.
The solar panels developed by startup Insolight boast an impressive 29% yield - a record for the retail market. These systems, which have now been standardized for mass production, contain lenses that focus sunlight on tiny high-yield photovoltaic cells, employing what is a pioneering approach for the solar-power industry.
As the world's population continues to grow, the piles of biowaste also tower higher and higher.
The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania and Senegal initiate a discussion for the joint management of a shared aquifer system essential to the economic and socialdevelopment of this region of 24 million people.
Together with BRUAG Fire Protection AG, Empa specialists have developed a new flame retardant for wood and wood-based materials.
Together with BRUAG Fire Protection AG, Empa specialists have developed a new flame retardant for wood and wood-based materials.
Interdisciplinary, interconnected and oriented towards a sustainable future: These words describe Kristina Orehounig just as aptly as they describe the Empa laboratory "Urban Energy Systems", which she is heading since February 2018. She has chosen an unusual path to her current scientific discipline - but that is precisely what she sees as an advantage in her day-to-day research.
This summer, 40 international scientists will participate in the GLACE expedition around Greenland in order to study the effects of climate change in that region.
At the beginning of the 1930s, when European countries were sealing themselves off, Switzerland opened the internationally oriented Jungfraujoch research station.
Solar energy for a circular economy
A sustainable alternative to the fossil-based, energy-intensive production of fuels and basic products of the chemical industry, based solely on solar energy and universally available resources: This
A sustainable alternative to the fossil-based, energy-intensive production of fuels and basic products of the chemical industry, based solely on solar energy and universally available resources: This
Gardens in urban areas can harbor a remarkable diversity of species. This has been found by researchers from the University of Basel in a field study carried out with the support of private garden owners from the Basel region. Furthermore, the research team shows that nature-friendly garden management and design can largely compensate for the negative effects of urbanization on biodiversity.
A walk-through exhibition introduces people to innovative projects from various institutes.
