Breathtaking roofs and new students

Digital fabrication techniques for buildings and breathtaking concrete roofs, a heart made of silicone, and a new degree programme in medicine; in 2017, teaching and research at ETH Zurich were characterised by new ventures and a pioneering spirit.

22.12.2017 by Claudia Naegeli

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January

At the start of the year, geologists were able to use a unique dataset to document the dramatic changes affecting the Aletsch glacier, where the ice has retreated at such a pace that an adjoining slope has also started to move rapidly. The researchers demonstrated a direct connection beteween the ice loss of the Aletsch glacier and the slippage of the Moosfluh slope.

February

In February, ETH Zurich's Collection of Prints and Drawings celebrated is 150th anniversary, marking the occasion by displaying selected treasures from its collection of 160,000 works. These include 110 pieces by Pablo Picasso alone. Over the course of its 150-year history, it has collected countless works by other prominent artists such as Rembrandt, Goya, Andy Warhol and Fischli/Weiss.

March

Scientists from the Institute of Environmental Engineering demonstrated how marine phytoplankton cope with turbulence. They were able to show that certain microscopically small algae are not helplessly adrift in the ocean but rather perceive and actively respond to cues that indicate turbulence. The researchers described these sophisticated mechanisms in a publication in the journal Nature.

April

Chained salmonella — Image: ETH Zurich / Emma Slack, ScopeM

Researchers clarified how vaccinations can combat bacterial intestinal diseases such as salmonella: vaccine-induced antibodies in the intestine chain up pathogens as they grow in the intestine, which prevents disease and surprisingly also hinders the spread of antibiotic resistance.

May

In May, scientists from the Computer Vision Lab made headlines with a three-dimensional, living model of a city. The model is based on millions of photos and videos of the city of Zurich, which the researchers were able to combine using the VarCity technology platform that they had developed. The new technology has many possible applications – for example, it can analyse where and when pedestrians are on the move and where parking spaces become free.

June

In early summer, there was huge public interest in the DFAB HOUSE, which is being built at the Empa and Eawag NEST building in Dübendorf. It is the first house in the world to be designed, planned and built using predominantly digital processes. Eight ETH Zurich professors are collaborating with various partners to build the house.

July

ETH researchers from the Functional Materials Laboratory developed a silicone heart that beats almost like a human heart. In collaboration with colleagues from the Product Development Group Zurich, they demonstrated that it actually works. The researchers still need to improve the device’s longevity.

August

James Bond action scene — Image: Keystone / Allpix Press / Cineliz

An ETH doctoral student from the Advanced Interactive Technologies Lab developed an algorithm allowing drones to film dynamic scenes independently in the way intended by directors and cinematographers. Thanks to an intuitive control system, it will be possible to produce spectacular action scenes much more cheaply in future.

September

Training on bananas — Image: Kantonsspital Baden / Pat Wettstein

In September, 20,000 students began the autumn semester at ETH Zurich. For the first time in the university’s history, 100 medical students also began their studies at ETH. The new degree programme was designed from the ground up by ETH and its partner institutions and integrates modern learning and teaching methods.

October

Researchers led by Philippe Block from the Department of Architecture built a prototype of an ultra-thin, curved concrete roof using innovative digital design and fabrication methods. The tested novel formwork system is to be used in an actual construction project for the first time next year. The spectacular concrete roof forms the top of a building unit at the Empa and Eawag NEST building.

November

Lino Guzzella and Johann Schneider-Ammann at the Digitaltag — Image: ETH Zurich / Giulia Marthaler

Swizerland's first Digitaltag event was held on 21 November. ETH Zurich was also present and involved with numerous projects. A programming workshop organised by ETH Professor Juraj Hromkovič of the Department of Computer Science was attended by 180 primary school pupils. The workshop also received a visit from Swiss Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann.

December

As the year drew to a close, scientists from the Laboratory for Complex Materials had some surprising news up their sleeves: they had developed a biocompatible ink for 3D printing using living bacteria. This makes it possible to produce biological materials capable of breaking down toxic substances or producing high-purity cellulose for biomedical applications.