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Materials Science
Results 1 - 50 of 269.
Bloom Biorenewables develops biomass-based plastics
Thanks to technology developed by start-up Bloom Biorenewables, plant materials can be used as an alternative to petroleum derivatives for producing a wide range of products, including bioplastics, textiles, cosmetics and even perfume.
Thanks to technology developed by start-up Bloom Biorenewables, plant materials can be used as an alternative to petroleum derivatives for producing a wide range of products, including bioplastics, textiles, cosmetics and even perfume.
Digital Bamboo on display
Students at ETH used innovative technology to create an extremely lightweight and filigree pavilion using bamboo.
Students at ETH used innovative technology to create an extremely lightweight and filigree pavilion using bamboo.
Inventions that improve our lives
If innovative projects and achievements in technology transfer stand out, they should be honored accordingly.
If innovative projects and achievements in technology transfer stand out, they should be honored accordingly.
Light, strong, and affordable
Sustainable high-tech materials are expensive. However, this may soon change. Through his ETH Pioneer Fellowship, Christoph Schneeberger is developing a process that enables more efficient production of fibre-reinforced plastics.
Sustainable high-tech materials are expensive. However, this may soon change. Through his ETH Pioneer Fellowship, Christoph Schneeberger is developing a process that enables more efficient production of fibre-reinforced plastics.
New light on cellular hydration
Researchers from EPFL's Institute of Bioengineering and the University of Geneva have teamed up to develop new tools for studying water flow across cell membranes.
Researchers from EPFL's Institute of Bioengineering and the University of Geneva have teamed up to develop new tools for studying water flow across cell membranes.
Turning streetwear into solar power plants
Empa researchers succeeded in developing a material that works like a luminescent solar concentrator and can even be applied to textiles.
Empa researchers succeeded in developing a material that works like a luminescent solar concentrator and can even be applied to textiles.
Drying fruit with ionic wind
If fruit or vegetables are dried with heat, nutrients can be destroyed and flavors can be reduced. This is why non-thermal drying of food - i.e. without heating - is preferred by the industry. Among other things, fans are used for this purpose. A new drying process developed at Empa using ionic wind promises to make the non-thermal drying of food much more energy-efficient, faster and even gentler.
If fruit or vegetables are dried with heat, nutrients can be destroyed and flavors can be reduced. This is why non-thermal drying of food - i.e. without heating - is preferred by the industry. Among other things, fans are used for this purpose. A new drying process developed at Empa using ionic wind promises to make the non-thermal drying of food much more energy-efficient, faster and even gentler.
"Do microplastics belong in our environment? No!"
Process Engineer Adriano Joss from Eawag water research institute has been working for many years on wastewater treatment plants and the removal of micropollutants from water.
Process Engineer Adriano Joss from Eawag water research institute has been working for many years on wastewater treatment plants and the removal of micropollutants from water.
Two Empa researchers receive ERC Starting Grant
Two talented young researchers at Empa will be given the opportunity to develop their own research area over a five-year period with the help of an ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Counc
Two talented young researchers at Empa will be given the opportunity to develop their own research area over a five-year period with the help of an ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Counc
Binding carbon dioxide using broken concrete
Thanks to technology from ETH spin-off Neustark, concrete recycling plants can store carbon dioxide over the long term.
Thanks to technology from ETH spin-off Neustark, concrete recycling plants can store carbon dioxide over the long term.
Fluorine recycling for lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries contain salts rich in fluorine, which decompose in humid air to toxic, highly corrosive hydrogen fluoride. The hazardous nature of this substance makes recycling more difficult and more expensive. A research project entitled "Fluoribat" is now being launched at Empa to solve this problem.
Lithium-ion batteries contain salts rich in fluorine, which decompose in humid air to toxic, highly corrosive hydrogen fluoride. The hazardous nature of this substance makes recycling more difficult and more expensive. A research project entitled "Fluoribat" is now being launched at Empa to solve this problem.
Towards closed loops
The circular economy is gaining a foothold in more and more areas: Some have already established business models, in others it is only visible in visionary pioneering projects.
The circular economy is gaining a foothold in more and more areas: Some have already established business models, in others it is only visible in visionary pioneering projects.
Graphene with sodium could make better batteries
Graphene doped with sodium can be a key player in making cheap batteries and spintronic devices, EPFL scientists discover.
Graphene doped with sodium can be a key player in making cheap batteries and spintronic devices, EPFL scientists discover.
Europe’s Response to Elon Musk
Over the next four years, five research institutes and six industrial companies from seven European countries will work together to find solutions for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries.
Over the next four years, five research institutes and six industrial companies from seven European countries will work together to find solutions for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries.
Fresh Breeze for Ecology and Economy
The Solar Impulse Foundation is looking for 1000 solutions that will boost the economy - and protect the environment at the same time.
The Solar Impulse Foundation is looking for 1000 solutions that will boost the economy - and protect the environment at the same time.
Wanted: The best Storage Battery
The demand for batteries to store renewable energy will grow drastically in the coming years. Could we develop more sustainable technologies to save precious natural resources, besides the familiar lithium-ion batteries?
The demand for batteries to store renewable energy will grow drastically in the coming years. Could we develop more sustainable technologies to save precious natural resources, besides the familiar lithium-ion batteries?
Manipulated Empa reports in circulation
No sooner had Empa recently developed technologies and quality standards for textile "community masks" together with the Swiss textile industry and other partners within the framework of the national COVID 19 Science Task Force than the first attempts at fraud popped up: Using manipulated Empa reports dubious suppliers promote masks of possibly inferior quality.
No sooner had Empa recently developed technologies and quality standards for textile "community masks" together with the Swiss textile industry and other partners within the framework of the national COVID 19 Science Task Force than the first attempts at fraud popped up: Using manipulated Empa reports dubious suppliers promote masks of possibly inferior quality.
Stuttgart light rail bridge hangs on Swiss carbon ropes
Another milestone for an extremely versatile material with Swiss roots: On May 3, a 127-meter-long railway bridge will be pushed over the A8 motorway near Stuttgart, its 72 suspension cables consisting entirely of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP).
Another milestone for an extremely versatile material with Swiss roots: On May 3, a 127-meter-long railway bridge will be pushed over the A8 motorway near Stuttgart, its 72 suspension cables consisting entirely of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP).
Joining forces against the mask shortage
During the Corona crisis, protective masks have become a rare commodity. In order to equip Switzerland with sufficient protective equipment during future pandemics, Empa researchers are working together with a national consortium of researchers, health care experts and partners from industry on the "ReMask" project: New types of masks and technologies for reusing existing protective equipment are being developed - for now, but also for future pandemics.
During the Corona crisis, protective masks have become a rare commodity. In order to equip Switzerland with sufficient protective equipment during future pandemics, Empa researchers are working together with a national consortium of researchers, health care experts and partners from industry on the "ReMask" project: New types of masks and technologies for reusing existing protective equipment are being developed - for now, but also for future pandemics.
Cost-effective Oxygen Concentrators
People suffering from COVID-19 need air enriched with oxygen, as the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus attacks the lungs.
People suffering from COVID-19 need air enriched with oxygen, as the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus attacks the lungs.
3D printing silicone for breathing apparatus
Right now, the 3D printers at the ETH spin-off Spectroplast are working at full capacity as never before: the young company has started producing silicone attachments for breathing masks on behalf of medical companies.
Right now, the 3D printers at the ETH spin-off Spectroplast are working at full capacity as never before: the young company has started producing silicone attachments for breathing masks on behalf of medical companies.
Antiviral treatment for textiles
An ETH spin-off has developed a new treatment for textiles that reduces viral infectivity on treated surfaces. The technology can be used for face masks and other textile products. Recently, the ETH spin-off HeiQ Materials presented an innovative antiviral and antibacterial treatment for textiles, which has been tested effectively against coronavirus, for example.
An ETH spin-off has developed a new treatment for textiles that reduces viral infectivity on treated surfaces. The technology can be used for face masks and other textile products. Recently, the ETH spin-off HeiQ Materials presented an innovative antiviral and antibacterial treatment for textiles, which has been tested effectively against coronavirus, for example.
Establishing a creative space
How is teaching at ETH dealing with the explosion of information in research and technology? Besides developing specialist knowledge, teaching is increasingly concerned with interdisciplinary skills such as critical thinking and the ability to filter, understand and apply relevant information.
How is teaching at ETH dealing with the explosion of information in research and technology? Besides developing specialist knowledge, teaching is increasingly concerned with interdisciplinary skills such as critical thinking and the ability to filter, understand and apply relevant information.
Bedded on roses
To provide laundry with fragrances without the effect disappearing after the first laundering is quite a challenge.
To provide laundry with fragrances without the effect disappearing after the first laundering is quite a challenge.
Vertical take-off
Mirko Kovac is heading the new Materials and Technology Center of Robotics of Empa and Imperial College London.
Mirko Kovac is heading the new Materials and Technology Center of Robotics of Empa and Imperial College London.
Stuttgart light rail bridge hangs on Swiss carbon ropes
Another milestone for an extremely versatile material with Swiss roots: On May 3, a 127-meter-long railway bridge will be pushed over the A8 motorway near Stuttgart, its 72 suspension cables consisting entirely of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP).
Another milestone for an extremely versatile material with Swiss roots: On May 3, a 127-meter-long railway bridge will be pushed over the A8 motorway near Stuttgart, its 72 suspension cables consisting entirely of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP).
A three-year journey to break the world speed sailing record
A team of EPFL alumni and students, working under the name SP80, are developing an innovative sailboat that could reach speeds of 150km/h.
A team of EPFL alumni and students, working under the name SP80, are developing an innovative sailboat that could reach speeds of 150km/h.
With artificial intelligence to a better wood product
Empa scientist Mark Schubert and his team would like to use the many opportunities offered by machine learning for wood technology applications. Together with Swiss Wood Solutions, Schubert will present his latest project at the Swiss Innovation Forum on 21 November in Basel. Wood is a natural material that is lightweight and sustainable, with excellent physical properties, which make it an excellent choice for constructing a wide range of products with high quality requirements - for example for musical instruments and sports equipment.
Empa scientist Mark Schubert and his team would like to use the many opportunities offered by machine learning for wood technology applications. Together with Swiss Wood Solutions, Schubert will present his latest project at the Swiss Innovation Forum on 21 November in Basel. Wood is a natural material that is lightweight and sustainable, with excellent physical properties, which make it an excellent choice for constructing a wide range of products with high quality requirements - for example for musical instruments and sports equipment.
Joining in the nano- and micrometer range
Empa recently founded the NMJ Association together with partner institutions from Japan, Canada, China, the USA and Germany.
Empa recently founded the NMJ Association together with partner institutions from Japan, Canada, China, the USA and Germany.
Closer to the patient
The first national competence centre for translational medicine and entrepreneurship has opened in Bern. As a hub for research and innovation, "sitem-insel" is home to several start-ups, companies and scientists. These include an Empa research team whose projects aim to bring medical innovations from the laboratory directly to patients more quickly.
The first national competence centre for translational medicine and entrepreneurship has opened in Bern. As a hub for research and innovation, "sitem-insel" is home to several start-ups, companies and scientists. These include an Empa research team whose projects aim to bring medical innovations from the laboratory directly to patients more quickly.
From the Walkman to the electric car
Three researchers share this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry. They are being honoured for their respective contributions in research that led to today's rechargeable lithium-ion batteries - and has made our smartphones and electric cars possible in their current form.
Three researchers share this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry. They are being honoured for their respective contributions in research that led to today's rechargeable lithium-ion batteries - and has made our smartphones and electric cars possible in their current form.