ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is a world-leading science and technology university which stands on a bedrock of true Swiss values: freedom and individual responsibility, entrepreneurial spirit and open-​mindedness. Situated in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, our students and researchers are pioneering effective solutions to the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

ETH Zurich has more than 15,000 students from approximately 80countries, 3,400 of whom are doctoral candidates. Around 400 professors teach and conduct research in the areas of engineering, architecture, mathematics, natural sciences, system-oriented sciences, and management and social sciences. ETH Zurich regularly appears at the top of international rankings as one of the best universities in the world. 21 Nobel Laureates have studied, taught or conducted research at ETH Zurich, underlining the excellent reputation of the institute.

Transferring its knowledge to the private sector and society at large is one of ETH Zurich’s primary concerns. It has succeeded in this, as borne out 80 new patents awarded each year and the 195 spin-off companies that were created out of the institute between 1996 and 2009. ETH Zurich orients its research strategy around global challenges such as climate change, world food supply and human health issues.

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ETH Zurich News

Record year of spin offs for ETH Zurich

25 spin-offs were founded at ETH Zurich last year – more than ever before in a single year. The new record highlights the benefits of supporting young talent early on and illustrates that ETH’s own support programme is paying off.

Researchers at ETH develop new diagnostics method

The new method is based on Birefringence, the ability of substances to change the polarisation state of light. With this method, doctors around the world can easily, rapidly and reliably detect malaria, Ebola or HIV to name only a few.

ETH Zurich: A new and game-changing magnetoresistance

More than 150 years ago, William Thomson, later Lord Kelvin, discovered the magnetoresistive effect. Today, this finding enables sensors to measure the rotational speed of a car wheel, and is also used in compass navigation and robot control systems. ETH material scientists have now found a new kind of magnetoresistance that promises further insight into basic research and could one day be used for practical applications.

ETH: Zurich Laboratory for sustainable construction

The House of Natural Resources (HoNR) is a flagship project for a hardwood building. Today marked the inauguration of the office building on ETH’s Hönggerberg campus after 18 months of construction. It is an exciting development for researchers at ETH Zurich as the building will serve as a research laboratory for sustainable construction.

ETH Zurich: Bumblebee genome mapped

A research collaboration spearheaded by ETH Zurich has shed light on the genome of two commercially important species of bumblebees. The findings provide unexpected insights into the ecology and evolution of bumblebees and honeybees.

Digital fabrication: totally real

Digital technologies are changing our everyday lives, and research at ETH Zurich is playing a major role in this transformation. Realistic film animation, houses built by robots and implants manufactured using 3D printers: the new issue of Globe showcases the vast range of possible applications.

ETH: An oscilloscope for MRI scanners

Take three driven physics wizards, an innovative business idea and lots of hard work, and what do you get? An ETH spin-off that could further advance both MRI research and medical diagnostics.

ETH Zürich: Fertile ground for innovative spirit

A total of 22 new companies were founded in 2014 by researchers from ETH Zurich. These spin-offs are among the most successful in Switzerland. One of the year's highlights was Covagen, which was acquired for over CHF 200 million. The latest figures also reveal that the university is on the right track with its promotion programmes.

ETH and University of Zurich launch Wyss Translational Center Zurich

ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich are founding a new translational research centre at the interface of medicine, science and engineering: the Wyss Translational Center Zurich. A USD 120 million donation from Dr. h.c. mult. Hansjörg Wyss to the two Zurich universities is making this possible. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the new centre aims to accelerate the development and application of innovative medical therapies and groundbreaking robotic systems.