Institute of Energy and Process EngineeringOpen OpportunitiesDo you want to combine your knowledge of process modeling with machine learning and thermodynamic modeling? In this project, you will evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of ML-based adsorption process modeling compared to existing first-principle models. Adsorption separation processes are, e. g., required in the chemical industry or for carbon capture applications. For that, you will integrate adsorption calculations based on classical Density Functional Theory into the ML model. This integration enables the large-scale prediction of separation performance for many materials at the process level. - Chemistry, Engineering and Technology, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences
- Bachelor Thesis, Semester Project
| We aimed to design a biomaterial suitable for 3D, in situ stiffening to mimic changes to the dermis during fibrosis and wound healing. By adapting Methacrylated Hyaluoronic Acid (MeHA), a material previously used for 2D in situ studies, to create a 3D macroporous gel comprised of fibrous microgels, we hypothesize we will be able to dynamically increase matrix stiffness without increasing cell confinement, allowing us to identify new mechanotransduction pathways involved in fibrosis and wound healing, specifically myofibroblast activation and macrophage polarization. - Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Cyclic siloxanes pose a critical risk to cleanroom manufacturing quality; their filtering is thus of utmost importance. - Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis
| Breath analysis is a non-invasive method to detect biomarkers like acetone, which provides an insight into your metabolism. Existing acetone sensors often require high operating temperatures, limiting their integration into compact devices. This project focuses on developing a room-temperature acetone sensor using metal sulfides, a promising material for such applications. The sensor will be fabricated, characterized, tested with breath samples, validated using mass spectrometry, and finally integrated into a device platform for practical use. - Clinical Engineering, Engineering/Technology Instrumentation, Materials Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Medicine-general, Nanotechnology, Preventive Medicine, Sensor (Chemical and Bio-) Technology, Sports Medicine
- Bachelor Thesis, Internship, Lab Practice, Master Thesis, Semester Project, Summer School
| Testing and evaluation of a compact gas sensing platform mounted onto a headset for continuous analysis of breath biomarkers. - Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| The Swiss Energy Strategy 2050 aims to achieve zero net emissions target as of 2050. The four leading Swiss research institutes — Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), and Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG)—are at the forefront of this en-deavour. In the context of the SCENE project, these institutes are collaboratively developing science-based roadmaps that outline the anticipated pathways to attain net-zero emissions before 2040. The tran-sition to net zero requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing technological advancements, con-sumption reductions, and market-based mechanisms for emission compensation and reduction. An es-sential component of this transition is a comprehensive CO2 emission-related cost analysis. This analysis will evaluate the financial implications of shifting energy technologies, reducing consumption, and imple-menting market-based emission compensation and reduction strategies. - Earth Sciences, Economics, Engineering and Technology, Policy and Political Science
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis
| Direct air capture (DAC) is an indispensable technology for meeting the challenges of achieving net-zero emissions [1]. Despite its promise, DAC with CO2 storage (DACCS) faces significant hurdles, primarily due to its (current) high energy intensity and capital expenditures, which are sensitive to design- and location-specific factors. Optimal carbon dioxide removal (CDR) efficiency is reached when powered by low-carbon energy sources [2–4]. This indicates the potential of so-called `off-grid' DACCS designs – i.e., DACCS systems without a connection to the power grid network – since they allow a system fully powered by renewable energy sources, thereby avoiding emissions from currently carbon-intensive power grids. However, off-grid systems rely on intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbines. The intermittency of these sources, the power requirements of DACCS, and the need for heat limit the feasibility of widespread deployment, especially in land-constrained areas. Here, the main goal is to assess the performance of off-grid DACCS with a global scope by extending an earlier geospatial model developed at ETH Zurich.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of energy technologies and energy systems analysis, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment. Familiarity with negative emissions technologies/carbon dioxide removal is an asset. Familiarity and knowledge of Python, geospatial analysis, and linear optimization is a plus. - Engineering and Technology
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis
| Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS) of carbon dioxide (CO2) is a promising technology to combat climate change: DACCS systems remove CO2 directly from the atmosphere and store it permanently, thereby resulting in negative CO2 emissions and a decrease in the atmospheric CO2 concentration. The performance of DACCS systems depends on climate conditions, the price, availability, and greenhouse-gas-intensity of energy sources, and the proximity to CO2 storage sites. Therefore, operational costs and deployment potential of DACCS systems are highly location-specific.
Current literature includes studies that examine the effect of location-specific meteorology on the techno-economic performance of DAC technologies [1], [2], [3]. Notably, Terlouw et al. [3] have determined the geospatial performance of potential grid-connected DAC plants in Europe, considering climate conditions as well as the environmental and economic costs associated with the entire DACCS supply chain. The analyzed supply chain includes the capture step and its energy requirements, CO2 transportation and storage.
In this thesis, you will expand current geospatial models developed at ETH Zurich (among others the one by [3]) to a global scope, assessing additional environmental impact categories beyond climate change to identify potential environmental implications of large-scale DACCS deployment
[1] M. Sendi, M. Bui, N. Mac Dowell, and P. Fennell, “Geospatial analysis of regional climate impacts to accelerate cost-efficient direct air capture deployment,” One Earth, vol. 5, no. 10, pp. 1153–1164, Oct. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2022.09.003.
[2] J. F. Wiegner, A. Grimm, L. Weimann, and M. Gazzani, “Optimal Design and Operation of Solid Sorbent Direct Air Capture Processes at Varying Ambient Conditions,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., vol. 61, no. 34, pp. 12649–12667, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c00681.
[3] T. Terlouw, D. Pokras, V. Becattini, and M. Mazzotti, “Assessment of Potential and Techno-Economic Performance of Solid Sorbent Direct Air Capture with CO2 Storage in Europe,” Environ. Sci. Technol., Jun. 2024, doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10041.
- Engineering and Technology
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis
| Create a next-gen resin that switches from solid to liquid using light! Dive into synthesizing, testing, and refining this unique material with exciting potential in the watch industry and beyond. Ideal for a chemistry or engineering student ready to explore the full journey—from lab synthesis to real-world application. Join us to make light a game-changer in material science! - Chemical Engineering, Organic Chemical Synthesis, Plastics, Polymers, Synthesis of Macromolecules
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis
| In this project, we will use advanced manufacturing to produce drug delivery systems that can be use several clinical challenges such as micronutrients anaemia and type 2 diabetes.
Polymer formulation combined with advanced post-processing approaches will be used to scale up the production of drug delivery systems having specific release profile.
In vitro studies will be performed to characterize the efficiency of the produced drug delivery systems. - Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Clinical Sciences, Macromolecular Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Medical Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Master Thesis, Semester Project, Student Assistant / HiWi
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