Impact Enabler

Subjects (field_subjects)
a city covered in fog

Drinking water from fog: researchers capture clean water from polluted air

A specially coated metal mesh can extract water from fog and remove environmental pollutants at the same time. With the technology developed in Zurich, drinking water can be extracted from the air even in regions with heavy air pollution.
A child running through a maize maze (symbol image)

New tracking system makes food aid more transparent

Until now, food aid operations have been a black box. A new MIT technology is shedding light on the issue, with unique IDs for each individual product.
A scientist holding the patch developed by Empa

Swiss patch warns of leaks in the stomach after operations

A patch developed by Swiss researchers provides early warning of leaks at sutures in the gastrointestinal tract. The novel patch should significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening complications after abdominal surgery.
FEATURE STORY
Wilfried Liegard with green steel

Green Steel Revolution

Steel production is responsible for eight percent of CO2 emissions worldwide. Alternative manufacturing processes exist, but the investments are high and the road is long. Two experts provide insights.
Pictured are the hydrogel discs swollen in water

Salty gel could extract water from desert air

MIT engineers have developed a super-absorbent material that can soak up a record amount of moisture from the air - even in desert-like conditions.
A symbolic image of a laboratory session in the inselspital berne

Mini-tumours from the laboratory should improve cancer therapy

A swiss research team has grown artificial mini bladder tumours in the laboratory, on which drugs can be tested. According to the researchers, this could play an important role in the development of personalised therapies.
The antibacterial coating can be applied on doctors' coats

New coating against bacteria

An international research team led by the University of Fribourg has developed a new antibacterial coating. On coated surfaces, the bacterial population is reduced by up to 10,000 times within five minutes.
Smart bandage on the skin

Smart plasters monitor wounds

Smart bandages with embedded electronics and medicines are designed to help chronic wounds heal better.
A building site with large amounts of rubble

Recipe for greener concrete

Concrete has a huge carbon footprint. Researchers at MIT in the USA have now developed a method to make its production more climate-friendly. The secret ingredient: baking powder.
The robotic system is shown in an experimental hive

A high-tech honeycomb for bees

A new high-tech honeycomb makes it possible to study bee colonies. The hive robot developed by EPFL researchers should provide new insights into the survival of pollinators.
Subscribe to all feature stories as RSS feed Subscribe to all short news as RSS feed