Science

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How mountain ranges get their shape
Tectonic processes and the climate form the topography of our earth. A new study raises now the question whether tectonic processes were so far overestimated. Simone Ulmer, 14.02.12
Ordered planar polymers created for the first time
Scientists under the direction of ETH Zurich have created a minor sensation in synthetic chemistry. They succeeded in producing two-dimensional polymers for the first time. Simone Ulmer, 13.02.12
Molecule prevents fat combustion
ETH Zurich researchers have found a new role for a well-known signalling molecule, Hif1: the molecule suppresses the burning of fat, which may possibly promote obesity in humans. Peter Rüegg, 10.02.12
New family of composite structures
Material scientists at ETH-Zürich are working on composite materials that mimic the structure of seashells. Such complex structures are produced using tiny magnetic particles which guide the composites' stiffer elements into place. This technique enables new technologies from durable coatings to stronger and lighter materials. Randall Erb, 12.01.12
Unexpected ice-formation mechanism
Extremely hydrophobic materials cause water to roll right off objects that have been coated with them. Up to now, it was assumed that aircraft or wind turbines coated in such a way did not ice up as easily. However, researchers from ETH Zurich have now shown that, under certain conditions, the surface materials do not influence ice formation. Simone Ulmer, 12.01.12
An ocean short of oxygen
As average global temperatures rise, larger parts of the world's oceans could become anoxic dead zones. This is shown by an analysis of the oxygen conditions during the past 20,000 years. Peter Rüegg, 12.01.12
Infrared detector unmasks cocaine addicts
A research group at ETH Zurich is currently developing an infrared measuring technique to enable the detection of cocaine and its metabolites in saliva. The initial steps towards a portable measuring device have been successful. Peter Rüegg, 06.01.12
Mobile microvortex holds on to bacteria
Researchers at ETH Zurich have used nanowires to create minuscule vortices with which they were able to capture individual microscopic objects such as bacteria and move them precisely across a surface. The new method ends a 90-year search. Peter Rüegg, 21.12.11
Starving cancer
Researchers of ETH Zurich have developed a new strategy to fight cancer. Blood vessels in the environment of tumours are killed with a new molecule which leads to the „starvation” of the tumour. This strategy has a series of advantages. Fabio Bergamin, 19.12.11
Eliminating errors in quantum computing
Quantum computers, should they be realized one day, will inevitably make errors. Therefore, they need special error correcting mechanisms. The most important part of it, a so-called Toffoli gate, has now been realized by ETH scientists with superconducting circuits. Simone Ulmer, 15.12.11
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