Institute of Energy and Process EngineeringOpen OpportunitiesIn the past few years, there has been significant progress in developing 3D in vitro cancer models. These models serve as a link between 2D cell culture models and in vivo xenograft mouse models, which are considered the gold standard in cancer research and preclinical drug assessment. Various 3D methods have been explored, and among them, spheroids have shown great potential as an alternative to traditional methods. These are often used in a scaffold-free context lacking the physical environment and interactions present in vivo. Therefore, scaffold-based approaches have gained more attention due to their ability to mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is a crucial factor in tumor behavior. By providing a scaffold that mimics the TME, we can gain a better understanding of the influence of TME on tumor spheroid behavior and drug response.
This project aims to establish a 3D scaffold-based spheroid tumor model that mimics the behavior of human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at varying degrees of aggressiveness. The model will be designed to replicate the tumor and its microenvironment using a molecular and biophysical defined system. The ultimate objective is to create optimized models that have a physiological similarity to human SCC, which can enhance overall knowledge and increase the predictive value, enabling preclinical-to-clinical translation. By doing this, we hope to provide a 3D in vitro model that can reduce and potentially replace the use of animal models as whenever possible. - Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Medical and Health Sciences
- Internship, Master Thesis
| To limit climate change and global warming to below 2°C; substantial emission reductions will be needed
to reach net-zero anthropogenic CO2 emissions by 2050 at the latest. Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
will be a key instrument for mitigating hard-to-abate point-source emissions. Another environmental
challenge of this century is the large amounts of waste materials produced by industry, which are often
landfilled or used for low-value applications and have a detrimental environmental impact due to the
leaching of heavy metals. For industrial waste management and small-scale CCS, a solution is offered
by ex-situ mineral carbonation: an accelerated form of natural rock weathering, i.e., the formation of
stable carbonates by the reaction of CO2 with naturally occurring oxides or silicates of magnesium, iron,
and calcium. Many industrial residues have been studied for mineralization, including iron and steel-making
slags, fuel combustion ashes, mine tailings, alkaline paper mill wastes, cement kiln dusts, and recycled
concrete aggregates. Mineralization of these industrial residues has the potential to permanently
store up to 360 Mt of CO2 per year in the form of carbonated minerals and generates value through the
use of the resulting products. One mineralisation pathway involves using a solvent, aqueous ammonium salts,
to accelerate the process. However, for economical and environmental reasons, the solvent must be recycled
multiple times. This aspect is often forgotten or not investigated in the literature. A novel experimental setup has
been developed to perform multiple cycle experiments, and this setup will be used to assess the process
stability and performance over multiple recycling cycles of the solvent. - Environmental Technologies, Mechanical Engineering, Membrane and Separation Technologies
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis
| See attached pdf - Economics, Engineering and Technology, Mathematical Sciences, Policy and Political Science
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis
| The study of small-molecule supramolecular hydrogelators (SMSHs) is of great interest, both fundamental and applicative. Their self-assembly most often leads to the formation of fibrillar structure and can be used as a model for the fibrillation of biologically-relevant entities, also their ability to form gels with tunable mechanical properties suggest many promising materials-related applications. In this context, aminoacid-based SMSHs (AA-SMSHs) have a special relevance because of opportunities offered e.g. in terms of biocompatibility and biomimetics, as well as in terms of variety of molecular design possibilities. Usually, the sol-gel behavior of AA-SMSHs is pH-dependent thanks to the presence of one or more pH-responsive groups, especially carboxylic acid –COOH ones. For these reasons, pH-responsive SMSHs (aminoacid-based and non) have been and still are the subject of intense investigation. Nevertheless, their behavior is far from being completely understood. - Biological and Medical Chemistry, Biomaterials, Materials Engineering, Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules, Supramolecular Chemistry
- Bachelor Thesis, Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Are you interested in designing novel hydrogel materials? We have a project available that focuses on formulating high-performance hydrogels for load-bearing applications. - Chemistry, Engineering and Technology
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| The premise Python library is a comprehensive tool designed for the integration and analysis of emerging tech-nologies (e.g., battery electric vehicles, synthetic fuels) using “futurized” life-cycle inventories (LCIs). The library is now used by hundreds of researchers. As part of our commitment to accuracy, transparency, and usability, we are seeking a Master's student with a passion for sustainability, environmental science, or a related field, to assist in the enhancement of our documentation, the refinement of life-cycle inventory descriptions, and the rig-orous quality assurance of our datasets. This internship presents an opportunity to contribute to a vital resource used by researchers and professionals worldwide to make informed decisions on sustainability - Engineering and Technology
- Internship
| This thesis focuses on fully automating the evaluation of Raman spectra in a self-driven thermodynamics lab to accelerate the development of sustainable chemical processes or novel heat pump concepts. By integrating Machine Learning (ML) with advanced spectral evaluation algorithms, the aim is to achieve complete lab autonomy. The methodology combines data-driven and physically-based approaches, including synthetic spectrum generation for ML training. - Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Physics
- Master Thesis
| Embark on a journey with the Swiss watch industry, renowned for its dedication to handcrafted excellence. Together, we're delving into the realm of advanced materials to enhance the art of watchmaking. Our focus lies in developing a groundbreaking photo-cleavable crosslinker, a key player in the application of resins onto watch dials as temporary masks during surface finishing. Join us in pioneering the fusion of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology! - Organic Chemical Synthesis, Polymers
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis
| Photo-reversible chemistries have opened new possibilities especially in the field of biomedical engineering and our lab has contributed to this process by research on hydrogels based on various dynamic chemistries. We now want to adapt one known and working photo-cleavable linker in a system that is based on organic solvents rather than water. This would allow for the use of the material in a wide range of industrial applications including the digital printing of temporary masks during surface treatments. - Macromolecular Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Polymers, Printing Technology
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| In this project we strive to create an array of new materials as gynaecological implants that give patients an alternative to otherwise highly invasive and destructive surgeries. We aim to do that using material science, nanotechnology, biomedical engineering and chemistry, all in a very interdisciplinary team that strives for innovation and tangible solutions, interacting hand-in-hand with surgeons and doctors.
We are looking for a candidate that can start work as soon as possible, can integrate the lab fast thanks to related prior experience. - Analytical Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Biosensor Technologies, Chemical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Engineering, Macromolecular Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Organic Chemistry
- Internship, Master Thesis
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