January

How and where does life originate in the universe? How can physical phenomena be measured with the highest precision? How is Switzerland handling increasing climate and weather extremes? Three new National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs), awarded to ETH Zurich and its partner universities, seek to answer these questions.

Researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Basel have succeeded in changing the polarity of a special ferromagnet using a laser beam. In the future, this method could be used to create adaptable electronic circuits with light.? ??

The spin-off?Resilientsy?helps?municipalities and cantons strategically manage and sustainably implement?their spatial development?plans. It also shows politicians?and landowners how?to ask the right questions.??

Three years ago, the institutions of the ETH Domain came together to actively promote decarbonisation in Switzerland through the Speed2zero initiative. The initiative has now?come to an end, and project director Reto Knutti looks back at what was achieved.

Whether in the human body or on surfaces, bacteria protect themselves from outside attackers using biofilms. Physicist Eleonora Secchi is researching how these slime-like protective films are formed, with the aim of making it easier to remove pathogenic bacteria.?

Javier Rando is?undertaking a?PhD at ETH Zurich on the safety of artificial intelligence (AI). At the same time, he?is?working?at a tech company?with the same goal. He?is convinced that if this works, AI could become one of the best technologies ever.??

Overuse of our tendons can cause painful medical conditions for which only limited treatment options exist. Researchers have now deciphered an important molecular mechanism that triggers these problems. Their findings will facilitate the development of new treatments.

A new study?led?by researchers at ETH Zurich and the Paul Scherrer Institute?PSI?in collaboration with African partners?shows that electric vehicles could be economically competitive in many African countries before 2040?¨C?just?as long as?charging infrastructure is?developed and?geared specifically towards?solar powered?off-grid systems.?

Aiming to revolutionise Alzheimer¡¯s research and treatment, ETH spin-off Herencia is working with an international team of scientists to build a village in Colombia that will bring together research, medical care and social programmes for families affected by the disease. The project could become a global blueprint for dealing with Alzheimer¡¯s.

The US has unilaterally imposed tariffs on Switzerland in 2025, under which local businesses are suffering. Hans Gersbach explains why Washington has the upper hand in trade policy and what Bern can do about it in 2026.?