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What is a digital twin, what can it do, and what requirements does it have to meet to be of practical use in the machine industry? ETH researchers and three companies investigated these questions and came up with some surprising results. 

Computer tomography (CT) is indispensable in modern medicine, but CT scanners could achieve so much more with better imaging and less X-ray exposure. In a project with industrial partner ams International AG, ETH researchers are testing new materials for the promising photon counting method.

Companies process dozens of customer orders, order confirmations, delivery notes, and invoices every day. ETH spin-off BLP Digital is revolutionising resource planning with an application that saves costs and reduces the potential for errors. Their collaboration with ETH brought the young company a significant step forward.

Mechanical ventilation in intensive care causes degeneration of the breathing muscle. STIMIT AG and ETH Zurich pursue a pioneering approach with non-invasive stimulators.

A new drug developed by the company TOPADUR Pharma AG brings hope to millions of patients with chronic non-healing wounds. The cooperation with ETH is now taking the product a significant step forward.

Agriculture is a very labour-intensive business and finding the workforce is increasingly difficult. Wouldn’t it be great to let a robot do the work? 

When it comes to a surgical operation, everyone wants optimally prepared surgeons. But training today mainly takes place by observing operations on real patients. Now, a large consortium of Swiss hospitals, universities and companies has joined forces to digitally transform surgical training.

Insects enrich the diet of laying hens and bring fun to the chicken farm. ETH spin-off SmartBreed has developed a technology that enables insect breeding on the farm and provides far more than just protein snacks.

The dangerous Laseyer windstorm often forces the railway company Appenzeller Bahnen to switch to bus services upon the slightest signs of a storm. In cooperation with ETH Zurich and MeteoSchweiz, a new warning algorithm has been developed which, thanks to machine learning, enables forecasts even for small, narrow valleys.

Variety is what makes food enjoyable. ETH Spin-off Planted joined forces with the ETH Product Development Group to customise the extrusion process of plant-based meat by using additive manufacturing.

The grinding of railway tracks extends their lifetime and reduces driving noises. Scheuchzer started a collaboration with inspire and ETH Zurich in order to investigate and optimize the grinding process.

SACAC, a manufacturer of concrete pillars, aims to apply digital fabrication methods to reduce production times and increase flexibility. Their collaboration with ETH Zurich delivered remarkable results.

The grinding process of high-precision cutting tools typically requires supervision and manual intervention. ETH Zurich, inspire and manufacturer Agathon have now achieved a breakthrough in autonomous grinding.

Easy-to-use automated drilling equipment with increased productivity – that is Hilti’s dream. Prof. Melanie Zeilinger and her team make this dream come true.

Clamping workpieces efficiently in machines is challenging and will become even more difficult with increasing automation and additive manufacturing of free-form surfaces. In cooperation with inspire and ETH Zurich, the Gressel company has found an innovative solution with some surprising benefits.

Timber construction is one of the most promising approaches to sustainable building. ETH Zurich and Henkel are joining forces to optimize the fire safety of laminated timber structures. In their research labs, it gets hot, as you can see in the video.