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Life Sciences - Environment - 14.09.2021
Environment - Economics / Business - 09.09.2021
Environment - Campus - 08.09.2021 
A heating plant that combines renewable energy sources
EPFL has recently brought an innovative heating plant online and will soon connect it to a large data center.
Environment - Materials Science - 07.09.2021 
21.4% record efficiency for flexible solar cells
A new efficiency record of 21.4% for flexible CIGS solar cell on polymer film has been achieved by scientists at Empa. Solar cells of this type are especially suited for applications on roofs, transport vehicles or mobile devices. A group of scientists at Empa has pushed the efficiency of flexible solar cells to a new limit.
Electroengineering - Environment - 06.09.2021 
Flexibility will be key to a large-scale rollout of solar power
The successful deployment of solar power will depend on many factors, including how well grid operators are able to balance supply and demand in order to incorporate renewable energy into their low-voltage grids.
Innovation - Environment - 03.09.2021
Environment - 03.09.2021
Environment - Innovation - 01.09.2021 
A carbon-neutral response to rising electricity demand
Many everyday activities rely on electricity. As we look to 2050, this dependence is set to increase, with demand for electricity in Switzerland likely to rise to 50 percent. The increased demand can only be met by transforming the energy system. Switzerland has set itself the goal of ending its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Environment - Earth Sciences - 01.09.2021
Environment - Politics - 31.08.2021 
Curious, committed, inspiring - a thoroughbred researcher retires
In official circles, he is known as Alfred Wüest. But his fellow researchers and colleagues, simply call him Johny.
Environment - Media - 27.08.2021 
Uncertainty spurs scientific progress
SUMMER SERIES: HOW SCIENCE WORKS - Citizens and scientists have two very different ways of reasoning. While citizens find comfort in certainty, scientists need to continually challenge the facts. Is it possible for these two groups to find common ground? Research is by nature a dynamic process. Scientists start with an observation, make a hypothesis, test the hypothesis through experiments, analyze the results, and form a conclusion.
Environment - 26.08.2021
Environment - Life Sciences - 26.08.2021 
’LéXPLORE brings together researchers from different disciplines - that’s fantastic’
There has been a floating laboratory on Lake Geneva called LéXPLORE since 2019.
Environment - Earth Sciences - 24.08.2021 
Helping engineers better predict clay landslides
Norway experiences dangerous landslides due to its clay-rich soil. For her Master's thesis in civil engineering at EPFL, Mathilde Metral outlined steps that the country's geotechnical engineers can take to improve the predictive computer model they're currently developing. The heavy rains that sweep across Europe with growing frequency can be particularly damaging in Norway, where the clay-rich soil is susceptible to landslides.
Environment - Architecture - 24.08.2021 
First sort, then refurbish
Switzerland's building stock is quite impressive. There are around 1.8 million buildings in the country, but only one percent of this building stock is renovated each year.
Agronomy / Food Science - Environment - 23.08.2021 
Fresh herbs from factory halls and bunkers
From the factory hall and not the field: ETH spin-off YASAI should soon be harvesting 20 tonnes of herbs a year from an indoor facility.
Environment - Career - 19.08.2021
Environment - Campus - 13.08.2021
Environment - Physics - 12.08.2021 
Living in the crystal ball
Alain Aerni is trying to look into the future: His "Crystalball" energy control system combines photovoltaics, heat pumps and charging stations and uses weather reports to predict energy requirements.
Environment - 10.08.2021
Environment - 09.08.2021
Environment - Computer Science - 06.08.2021 
New high-resolution models merge weather and climate
Torrential rain and flooding have dominated the weather over the past few weeks.
Environment - 06.08.2021 
Why do we need sharper weather and climate models?
We know that CO2 is warming the planet. But if we want to understand its consequences and avert risks, more accurate weather and climate models are crucial, says Nicolas Gruber.
Transport - Environment - 05.08.2021 
EPFL gets its first fast-charging station for electric vehicles
A team of EPFL engineers, in association with local businesses and authorities, are testing novel algorithms for the deployment of greener EV fast-charging stations.
Environment - Life Sciences - 05.08.2021 
The challenges of forecasting algae blooms
Blue-green algae and other phytoplankton are very important for the proper functioning of aquatic ecosystems.
Campus - Environment - 22.07.2021
Environment - 19.07.2021 
Is a ’green populist’ movement emerging in Switzerland?
According to two scientists, Switzerland's right-wing populist parties have adopted some ideas from green parties in order to attract more voters. In a recent shift in messaging, the populists claim that increased urbanization and growing population density are being fueled in part by immigration, and could wipe out natural areas and expand Switzerland's carbon footprint. When Spanish sociologist Ander Audikana moved to Switzerland in February 2014, he never thought he'd be witness to an event that would shake up the country.
Environment - 16.07.2021
Campus - Environment - 15.07.2021
Environment - 08.07.2021
Health - Environment - 07.07.2021 
Citizen scientists to the rescue
Summer series: How science works From data collection to environmental and public-health advocacy, amateur scientists make a valuable contribution to scientific research. It's 6:30pm on Tuesday, 29 June. From the couch in my Geneva apartment, I'm working on a project for EPFL's Digital Epidemiology Lab - even though I know nothing about epidemiology and nobody at the lab even knows I'm taking part.
Innovation - Environment - 06.07.2021 
A next step towards climate-friendly fuels
Synhelion and Empa are conducting a joint research project, co-funded by the Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse, to further develop a high-temperature energy storage solution that is a key component in the production of climate-friendly solar fuels. The project will enable the cost-effective and scalable storage of high-temperature solar heat at over 1'000°C for the first time.
Environment - 06.07.2021
Environment - Career - 05.07.2021
Environment - Campus - 02.07.2021 
Testing on the Limmat to combat plastic in the oceans
This summer, students from ETH Zurich will test various technologies on the Limmat for the automatic removal of waste. The Autonomous River Cleanup project is starting with rivers to tackle the global problem of marine pollution. Millions of tonnes of waste end up in the world's oceans every year. Plastics account for the largest share, decaying very slowly and threatening not only marine life and ecosystems, but also our health.
Environment - 02.07.2021
Career - Environment - 01.07.2021
Environment - Music - 01.07.2021 
Composing new energy systems
Modern, decentralized energy systems are a highly complex matter. Planning them in an optimal and cost-efficient way is a major challenge for energy planners.
Astronomy / Space Science - Environment - 25.06.2021 
’A universal definition of space sustainability is hard to find’
Under a new rating system, it will soon be possible to assess the social, economic and environmental impact of space missions. The consortium behind the initiative, which includes the World Economic Forum (WEF), has tasked EPFL's Space Center (eSpace) with finalizing the assessment criteria and implementing the system in this fast-changing field.
Agronomy / Food Science - Environment - 25.06.2021
Physics - Environment - 24.06.2021
Environment - Architecture - 23.06.2021
Environment - Campus - 22.06.2021 
New connector for sustainable structures on Earth and in space
As part of his Master's degree in civil engineering, an EPFL student developed a connector for use in building sustainable structures.
Environment - 18.06.2021 
Juggling with constant change
A cultural landscape reflects the combined activity of nature and humans. Where has the equilibrium of this union been lost? And how can we restore the balance? Putting on the VR headset, Maya finds herself immersed in a landscape where a dozen wind turbines are busy generating electricity. Whenever she moves, this immediately triggers sounds linked to the virtual image.
Environment - Life Sciences - 17.06.2021 
Protection and promotion of native crayfish
Formerly widespread, native crayfish in Switzerland are now highly endangered. With support from Eawag, experts are doing everything they can to preserve the secretive river dwellers.
Agronomy / Food Science - Environment - 16.06.2021 
Updating the self-sufficiency ratio
The level of self-sufficiency indicates the extent to which agricultural performance ensures food security.
Environment - Economics / Business - 15.06.2021
Environment - Economics / Business - 11.06.2021
Environment - 11.06.2021
Innovation - Environment - 10.06.2021
Environment
Results 1 - 50 of 683.
We are less sceptical of genetic engineering than assumed
We often hear that Swiss consumers want their agriculture to be free from genetic engineering. But consumer acceptance of genetically modified crops is likely to be higher than the media leads us to believe, Angela Bearth says. The ban on growing genetically modified crops in Switzerland is set to expire at the end of this year.
We often hear that Swiss consumers want their agriculture to be free from genetic engineering. But consumer acceptance of genetically modified crops is likely to be higher than the media leads us to believe, Angela Bearth says. The ban on growing genetically modified crops in Switzerland is set to expire at the end of this year.
EPFL has recently brought an innovative heating plant online and will soon connect it to a large data center.
A new efficiency record of 21.4% for flexible CIGS solar cell on polymer film has been achieved by scientists at Empa. Solar cells of this type are especially suited for applications on roofs, transport vehicles or mobile devices. A group of scientists at Empa has pushed the efficiency of flexible solar cells to a new limit.
The successful deployment of solar power will depend on many factors, including how well grid operators are able to balance supply and demand in order to incorporate renewable energy into their low-voltage grids.
Many everyday activities rely on electricity. As we look to 2050, this dependence is set to increase, with demand for electricity in Switzerland likely to rise to 50 percent. The increased demand can only be met by transforming the energy system. Switzerland has set itself the goal of ending its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
New report details Switzerland's geo-energy potential
Switzerland has considerable capacity for carbon storage and a bright future in shallow geothermal energy. These are the two main findings presented in Innosuisse's final report on the 2013-2020 Energy Funding Programme, in the chapter on geo-energy. Lyesse Laloui, a full professor in civil engineering at EPFL, is the chapter's author and the head of a research group on this topic.
Switzerland has considerable capacity for carbon storage and a bright future in shallow geothermal energy. These are the two main findings presented in Innosuisse's final report on the 2013-2020 Energy Funding Programme, in the chapter on geo-energy. Lyesse Laloui, a full professor in civil engineering at EPFL, is the chapter's author and the head of a research group on this topic.
In official circles, he is known as Alfred Wüest. But his fellow researchers and colleagues, simply call him Johny.
SUMMER SERIES: HOW SCIENCE WORKS - Citizens and scientists have two very different ways of reasoning. While citizens find comfort in certainty, scientists need to continually challenge the facts. Is it possible for these two groups to find common ground? Research is by nature a dynamic process. Scientists start with an observation, make a hypothesis, test the hypothesis through experiments, analyze the results, and form a conclusion.
There has been a floating laboratory on Lake Geneva called LéXPLORE since 2019.
Norway experiences dangerous landslides due to its clay-rich soil. For her Master's thesis in civil engineering at EPFL, Mathilde Metral outlined steps that the country's geotechnical engineers can take to improve the predictive computer model they're currently developing. The heavy rains that sweep across Europe with growing frequency can be particularly damaging in Norway, where the clay-rich soil is susceptible to landslides.
Switzerland's building stock is quite impressive. There are around 1.8 million buildings in the country, but only one percent of this building stock is renovated each year.
From the factory hall and not the field: ETH spin-off YASAI should soon be harvesting 20 tonnes of herbs a year from an indoor facility.
Alain Aerni is trying to look into the future: His "Crystalball" energy control system combines photovoltaics, heat pumps and charging stations and uses weather reports to predict energy requirements.
Climate change is happening here and now
Climate researcher Sonia Seneviratne contributed to the latest assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Climate researcher Sonia Seneviratne contributed to the latest assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Torrential rain and flooding have dominated the weather over the past few weeks.
We know that CO2 is warming the planet. But if we want to understand its consequences and avert risks, more accurate weather and climate models are crucial, says Nicolas Gruber.
A team of EPFL engineers, in association with local businesses and authorities, are testing novel algorithms for the deployment of greener EV fast-charging stations.
Blue-green algae and other phytoplankton are very important for the proper functioning of aquatic ecosystems.
According to two scientists, Switzerland's right-wing populist parties have adopted some ideas from green parties in order to attract more voters. In a recent shift in messaging, the populists claim that increased urbanization and growing population density are being fueled in part by immigration, and could wipe out natural areas and expand Switzerland's carbon footprint. When Spanish sociologist Ander Audikana moved to Switzerland in February 2014, he never thought he'd be witness to an event that would shake up the country.
Removing the lead hazard from perovskite solar cells
Although a very promising solution for capturing solar energy, perovskite solar cells contain lead, which is toxic to the environment and a serious health hazard.
Although a very promising solution for capturing solar energy, perovskite solar cells contain lead, which is toxic to the environment and a serious health hazard.
Summer series: How science works From data collection to environmental and public-health advocacy, amateur scientists make a valuable contribution to scientific research. It's 6:30pm on Tuesday, 29 June. From the couch in my Geneva apartment, I'm working on a project for EPFL's Digital Epidemiology Lab - even though I know nothing about epidemiology and nobody at the lab even knows I'm taking part.
Synhelion and Empa are conducting a joint research project, co-funded by the Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse, to further develop a high-temperature energy storage solution that is a key component in the production of climate-friendly solar fuels. The project will enable the cost-effective and scalable storage of high-temperature solar heat at over 1'000°C for the first time.
Some urban commuters have no choice but to take their car
An EPFL study shows that suburban commuters do not necessarily take environmental concerns into account when deciding whether to use their car. Many car commuters - especially those with hectic schedules - feel they have no other choice. That's especially true when it comes to working mothers. Transportation accounts for a third of greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland, and 75% of those emissions come from car travel.
An EPFL study shows that suburban commuters do not necessarily take environmental concerns into account when deciding whether to use their car. Many car commuters - especially those with hectic schedules - feel they have no other choice. That's especially true when it comes to working mothers. Transportation accounts for a third of greenhouse gas emissions in Switzerland, and 75% of those emissions come from car travel.
This summer, students from ETH Zurich will test various technologies on the Limmat for the automatic removal of waste. The Autonomous River Cleanup project is starting with rivers to tackle the global problem of marine pollution. Millions of tonnes of waste end up in the world's oceans every year. Plastics account for the largest share, decaying very slowly and threatening not only marine life and ecosystems, but also our health.
Modern, decentralized energy systems are a highly complex matter. Planning them in an optimal and cost-efficient way is a major challenge for energy planners.
Under a new rating system, it will soon be possible to assess the social, economic and environmental impact of space missions. The consortium behind the initiative, which includes the World Economic Forum (WEF), has tasked EPFL's Space Center (eSpace) with finalizing the assessment criteria and implementing the system in this fast-changing field.
As part of his Master's degree in civil engineering, an EPFL student developed a connector for use in building sustainable structures.
A cultural landscape reflects the combined activity of nature and humans. Where has the equilibrium of this union been lost? And how can we restore the balance? Putting on the VR headset, Maya finds herself immersed in a landscape where a dozen wind turbines are busy generating electricity. Whenever she moves, this immediately triggers sounds linked to the virtual image.
Formerly widespread, native crayfish in Switzerland are now highly endangered. With support from Eawag, experts are doing everything they can to preserve the secretive river dwellers.
The level of self-sufficiency indicates the extent to which agricultural performance ensures food security.
Skewed perceptions in climate policy
The benefits of strict climate policies are often underestimated in public debate, while the costs are generally overestimated, says Lucas Bretschger. Climate protection does not have a negative impact on economic development. Climate policies will permanently affect the structures of our economies.
The benefits of strict climate policies are often underestimated in public debate, while the costs are generally overestimated, says Lucas Bretschger. Climate protection does not have a negative impact on economic development. Climate policies will permanently affect the structures of our economies.
NEST to open its virtual doors
The research and innovation building NEST of Empa and Eawag can now be visited virtually at any time and from anywhere in the world.
The research and innovation building NEST of Empa and Eawag can now be visited virtually at any time and from anywhere in the world.
