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In recent years, significant breakthroughs have been achieved in using glucagon-like peptide-1
(GLP-1) drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy in tackling diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The
preferred method of administering GLP-1 related medication currently is through weekly
subcutaneous injections. In this project, we seek to understand how GLP-1 is naturally secreted
upon exposure to mechanical stimuli. Based on this understanding, we hope to build a device
exploiting mechanical stimuli to regulate GLP-1 production in the human body. In doing so, we
hope to offer patients a less invasive treatment option with less side effects. - Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
- Master Thesis
| Topologically interlocked structures (TIS) represent a new class of innovative designs inspired by the mechanics of puzzles. Constructed from individual building blocks that interlock without the use of adhesives, these structures exhibit remarkable mechanical properties, relying solely on contact and frictional forces for their integrity. Experimental observations have revealed sudden failures and sharp load drops in TIS, indicating that frictional slip instabilities play a significant role in their structural response. This project aims to explore the influence of stick-slip frictional instabilities and interfacial heterogeneity on the failure mechanisms of TIS. Using the level-set discrete element modeling framework, the student will investigate the dynamic behavior of these systems under various conditions. The project offers an opportunity to delve into the unique mechanical behavior of TIS and gain experience with modern computational tools in structural engineering. - Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| The fault gouge, a layer of cohesionless material formed by fragmentation of parent rock, plays a key role in the macroscopic frictional behavior of faults, including their stability and energy release. This material exhibits complex behavior influenced by mechanical deformation, thermal effects and pore fluid flow. In this project, we utilize a combination of discrete and continuum simulations to investigate gouge rheology. In particular, the student will explore the effect of material heterogeneity and grain-scale characteristics on the macroscopic behavior, including the influence of particle fracture. Additionally, phenomena arising from hydromechanical and thermomechanical coupling will be studied. The findings from the project aim to provide new insight into earthquake mechanics. - Civil Engineering, Earth Sciences, Materials Engineering, Physics
- Master Thesis
| Recently, physics-informed neural operators (PINOs) have been introduced as a new approach for solving complex problems in engineering, by combining data with knowledge of the underlying governing equations. The concept is an extension of previously successful purely data-driven deep neural operators. In this project, the student will explore the application of PINOs on solid mechanics problems, with the goal of simulating the behavior of materials under various loading conditions. Applications will be considered in the context of geotechnical or structural engineering. The generalization capabilities of the method will be evaluated, and its accuracy will be compared to conventional numerical solutions. The findings aim to advance computational tools for engineering design and analysis, bridging the gap between traditional numerical methods and scientific machine learning. - Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Segregation in granular flows is an important phenomenon influencing various natural and industrial processes, from landslides to pharmaceutical manufacturing. This project investigates the role of particle shape in segregation dynamics within granular flows. Using numerical simulations, the student will analyze how particles of varying shapes and sizes segregate under shear and gravity-driven conditions, by analyzing the forces developed between particles. The final goal is to provide insights into the continuum modeling of segregation phenomena in different scenarios. - Civil Engineering, Earth Sciences, Physics
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Context: boiling is a phase-change phenomenon with broad applications, especially important for thermal management and power generation.
Scientific challenge: simultaneously improving boiling efficiency and maximum heat flux
Approach: understanding boiling enhancement mechanisms and manipulating bubble behaviors with well-defined surface nanostructures fabricated using clean room technologies
Knowledge required: background in heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and mechanical design. Hands-on experience with experiments/FEM modeling software will be a plus.
Skills that you will acquire: design of boiling setup; high-speed imaging; use and design of resistive temperature detectors; scientific communication through reports and presentation - Fluidization and Fluid Mechanics, Heat and Mass Transfer Operations, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Nanotechnology
- Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Predicting the failure mechanisms of low-density cellular solids, from random fiber networks to periodic
architected materials (or metamaterials), remains a challenge for computational mechanics. One fundamental
distinction between beam-based architected materials and classical homogeneous solids lies in
the nature of their failure. Unlike classical materials, beam-based architected materials fail through the
discrete breaking of individual beams. This results in complex patterns of crack initiation and propagation,
that are significantly different from those observed in classical materials.
As computational models for large-scale, manufacturable metamaterials often involve millions or even
billions of unknowns, we are developing an open-source C++ library for scalable finite element simulations.
Currently, this library leverages distributed computing on CPUs via Open MPI, utilizing ETH
Zurich’s Euler cluster. The goal of this project is to improve simulation performance for predicting failure
in large-scale beam networks. A key focus will be integrating Nvidia’s GPU accelerators to achieve
significantly enhanced computational efficiency beyond what distributed CPU computing alone can provide.
Throughout this project, the student will contribute to an open-source project, conduct in-depth
performance studies, and utilize the developed software to predict fracture behavior in novel materials
with different (multi-)material properties, including both linear elastic and plastic regimes. - Mechanical Engineering, Numerical Analysis
- ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis, Semester Project
| Developing AI models to create natural-sounding, expressive speech synthesis systems for healthcare applications. This project focuses on improving synthetic voices to capture emotion, tone, and non-verbal cues, enabling effective communication for individuals with speech impairments. - Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, Engineering and Technology
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
| In this project you will learn how to model and design an inverter and how to design a Matlab tool using object-oriented programming. Therefore, you will first familiarize yourself with the given design procedure and with object-oriented programming. You will then implement the design procedure, including a GUI. Finally you will apply the tool to identify the optimal design of an switching cell for a test study. - Electrical Engineering
- Semester Project
| Low-level outlets (LLO) are key safety structures of reservoir dams. Recent research at VAW have investigated the influence of hydraulic and geometrical parameters on LLO flow behaviour, but further research is needed to validate the results at prototype scale. The aim of this work is to complement the measurements taken in the LLO of Spitallamm dam, Switzerland, quantitatively evaluating scale effects and contributing to the development of safer design guidelines for LLO. - Water and Sanitary Engineering
- Master Thesis, Semester Project
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