“Swiss Nobel Prize” for Ursula Keller Research ETH Zurich The physics professor Ursula Keller has received the Swiss Science Prize Marcel Benoist for her pioneering work in ultrafast lasers. Her theoretical models and experimental discoveries have repeatedly tested the boundaries of ultrafast laser physics. Award Physics Further Reading Parliament wants to secure funding for international research ETH Board Empa scientist among winners in Physical sciences Empa Award for the Water Wall Eawag In search of the origins of life ETH Zurich A new rating for space sustainability EPFL Subscribe to our fortnightly newsletter A warm intrusion in the Arctic causes extreme pollution levels Research EPFL PSI During the MOSAiC research expedition, conducted in the Arctic pack ice between 2019 and 2020, EPFL and PSI scientists observed an atmospheric perturbation triggered by the intrusion of a highly polluted warm air-mass. A first study providing further insight into the phenomenon and its potential implications has just been published. Climate Change Pollution Environment Hitting the bull’s eye Research Empa In the FOXIP project, researchers form Empa, EPFL and the Paul Scherrer Institute attempted to print thin-film transistors with metal oxides onto heat-sensitive materials such as paper or PET. The goal was ultimately not achieved, but those involved consider the project a success – because of a new printing ink and a transistor with "memory effect". Advanced Manufacturing Materials Science Innovation How nanoplastics enter the aquatic food web Research Eawag The smallest of all plastic particles have remained largely unexplored until now, because they could not be detected in the environment. Now researchers at Eawag show: Nanoplastics stick to slimy biofilms, which can for example be found on stones in streams or rivers. When freshwater snails feed on the slime, the nanoplastics are taken up. Ecosystem Pollution Environment The ETH Domain strives to strengthen the competitiveness of Switzerland in the long term and contribute to the development of society through excellence in research, teaching and knowledge and technology transfer. What isotopes reveal about climate change Research ETH Board Matthias Saurer is a physicist and heads the WSL isotope laboratory where complex measuring procedures are used to determine plants’ isotope ratios. These provide answers to questions about the nutrient and water balance in forests, for example, and provide important foundations for environmental and climate research.
