October 2018

Palm oil is a highly controversial product. However, replacing it with other vegetable oils could endanger land and water resources, argues Gabriele Manoli.

ETH Zurich is opening dismissal proceedings against a professor at the former Institute for Astronomy. This decision is based on the comprehensive administrative investigation commissioned by the ETH Executive Board a year ago.

Although computing power and data are rising exponentially, this doesn’t mean that digitisation will solve the world’s problems in an instant, says Roland Siegwart.

Scientists have developed a very small magnetic steerable catheter for minimally invasive surgery. Thanks to its variable stiffness, surgeons can perform more complex movements inside the body with a lower risk of injury to the patient.

In mid-2017, the European Commission launched a flagship project in the field of quantum technology. After the Human Brain Project and the Graphene Flagship, the Quantum Flagship is the EU’s third major research programme dedicated to promoting particularly forward-looking technologies in Europe (Future and Emerging Technologies). Among the sub-projects that have now been selected are six that involve ETH researchers.

With just the press of a button, ETH researchers knit a textile that serves as the primary shaping element for curved concrete shells. Now they have used the new technology to create a five-tonne concrete structure for an exhibition in Mexico City.

Programming workshops with over 600 school pupils, inspiring lectures and lab tours on the topic of digitalisation in medicine, and two attractive exhibits as part of the exhibition in Zurich’s main station – these were ETH’s highlights from the second Digital Day.

Lothar Thiele believes drastic precautions against hackers will reverse advantages of digital transformation. A better way would be to create a secure internet infrastructure.

Switzerland’s Federal Council has appointed Joël Mesot, Director of the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), as the new President of ETH Zurich. On 1 January 2019 Joël Mesot will take over from the current President, Lino Guzzella, who has continued to build the university’s formidable international reputation over the past four years.

Swiss Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann invited the economics ministers of Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein to attend the traditional quadripartite meeting in Switzerland yesterday. ETH Zurich hosted the event. During a podium discussion in the run-up to the main meeting, ETH students exchanged viewpoints with the ministers on the challenges presented by digitalisation.