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Summer quiz: ETH and the environment

Whether it be sustainable proteins, artificial reefs or carbon-neutral fuels: ETH Zurich has been working on key topics related to sustainability for decades, and is now a leader in energy, environment and nutrition research.

by Gertrud Lindner

Would you have believed it? In the summer quiz series, we take you on a tour of discovery through remarkable, peculiar and fun facts from ETH Zurich’s research and teaching. This issue addresses research in connection with sustainability.

Summer quiz: ETH and the environment

  1. Question 1 of 8
    Lukas Böni

    1. Gourmet and researcher Lukas Böni wants to produce meat that isn't derived from animals. What is his "planted chicken" made from?

    • ✓ Correct Planted chicken is a plant-based imitation chicken made from pea proteins that comes amazingly close to the real thing in appearance, texture and taste. The product should be more ecological, more animal-friendly and cheaper in the long term than chicken meat, too. Further information (Image: Planted / ETH Zürich)

    • ✘ False Planted chicken is a plant-based imitation chicken made from pea proteins that comes amazingly close to the real thing in appearance, texture and taste. The product should be more ecological, more animal-friendly and cheaper in the long term than chicken meat, too. Further information (Image: Planted / ETH Zürich)

  2. Question 2 of 8
    Structure

    2. Entwined and interwoven: what does this picture show?

      • ✓ Correct Coral reefs are suffering because of climate change. ETH researcher Ulrike Pfreundt aims to use ecologically sound 3D printed structures to create artificial reefs that provide new habitats for more resistant corals. Strategically planted artificial reefs can develop into self-supporting habitats over time and protect coastlines. Further information (Image: ETH Zürich / Peter Rüegg)

      • ✘ False Coral reefs are suffering because of climate change. ETH researcher Ulrike Pfreundt aims to use ecologically sound 3D printed structures to create artificial reefs that provide new habitats for more resistant corals. Strategically planted artificial reefs can develop into self-supporting habitats over time and protect coastlines. Further information (Image: ETH Zürich / Peter Rüegg)

    • Question 3 of 8
      Sewage treatment plant

      3. Clean waters uncontaminated by sensitive substances: how can compounds from cosmetics, medications, contraceptive pills and plant fertilisers be made 'safe'?

        • ✓ Correct Researchers at ETH's Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems have succeeded in inducing the destruction of chemical residues in contaminated water using multiferroic nanoparticles. Here, the nanoparticles are not directly involved in the chemical reaction but rather act as a catalyst, speeding up the conversion of the substances into harmless compounds. Further information (Image: Shutterstock)

        • ✘ False Researchers at ETH's Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems have succeeded in inducing the destruction of chemical residues in contaminated water using multiferroic nanoparticles. Here, the nanoparticles are not directly involved in the chemical reaction but rather act as a catalyst, speeding up the conversion of the substances into harmless compounds. Further information (Image: Shutterstock)

      • Question 4 of 8
        Dimpora Team

        4. Breathable and environmentally friendly: what did an ETH Master's student use to develop sustainable membranes for rain jackets?

          • ✓ Correct The membranes developed for outdoor clothing by Mario Stucki as part of his Master's project are based on the principle of nanoporous materials. They are free of fluorine compounds that can be damaging to health and the environment. Further information (Image: ETH Zürich / Peter Rüegg)

          • ✘ False The membranes developed for outdoor clothing by Mario Stucki as part of his Master's project are based on the principle of nanoporous materials. They are free of fluorine compounds that can be damaging to health and the environment. Further information (Image: ETH Zürich / Peter Rüegg)

        • Question 5 of 8
          Solar panel

          5. Clean energy from local producers: would households buy solar energy from their neighbours if they could determine the price themselves based on supply and demand?

            • ✓ Correct Yes, that would work. As the preliminary results from the research project 'Quartierstrom' (district energy) show, over 80 percent of the solar power generated was consumed within the local district. The year-long Quartierstrom research project in Walenstadt is investigating how energy markets might operate in the future. Thirty-seven households have joined forces to create a local energy market and can sell self-generated, clean energy to their neighbours. Further information (Image: Water and Electricity Works Walenstadt)

            • ✘ False Yes, that would work. As the preliminary results from the research project 'Quartierstrom' (district energy) show, over 80 percent of the solar power generated was consumed within the local district. The year-long Quartierstrom research project in Walenstadt is investigating how energy markets might operate in the future. Thirty-seven households have joined forces to create a local energy market and can sell self-generated, clean energy to their neighbours. Further information (Image: Water and Electricity Works Walenstadt)

          • Question 6 of 8

            6. Sustainable mobility for the future: what have ETH researchers produced carbon-neutral fuel from?

              • ✓ Correct Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a technology that produces liquid fuels from sunlight and air. In a miniature solar refinery on the roof of ETH Zurich's Machine Laboratory building they demonstrated the entire thermochemical process chain under real field conditions for the first time worldwide. The next goal is to scale the technology for industrial implementation and make it economically competitive. Further information

              • ✘ False Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a technology that produces liquid fuels from sunlight and air. In a miniature solar refinery on the roof of ETH Zurich's Machine Laboratory building they demonstrated the entire thermochemical process chain under real field conditions for the first time worldwide. The next goal is to scale the technology for industrial implementation and make it economically competitive. Further information

            • Question 7 of 8
              PET bottles

              7. PEF instead of PET: what are bioplastics made from?

                • ✓ Correct Bioplastics consist of biobased polymers, which are produced from plant-based raw materials instead of crude oil. ETH researchers have developed a method that is essentially more time and energy-efficient which could enable a commercial breakthrough for PEF. Due to its good material properties, PEF could possibly also replace multilayer materials that are difficult to recycle in addition to PET. Some bioplastics are also biodegradable and enable better composting. Further information (Image: iStock)

                • ✘ False Bioplastics consist of biobased polymers, which are produced from plant-based raw materials instead of crude oil. ETH researchers have developed a method that is essentially more time and energy-efficient which could enable a commercial breakthrough for PEF. Due to its good material properties, PEF could possibly also replace multilayer materials that are difficult to recycle in addition to PET. Some bioplastics are also biodegradable and enable better composting. Further information (Image: iStock)

              • Question 8 of 8
                Campus Hönggerberg

                8. Committed and environmentally conscious: how have ETH staff and students contributed to helping the environment?

                  • Correctly answered questions:

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