ETH Domain researchers developed an #AI model that fills #ClimateData gaps, reconstructs satellite images and maps weather-land-water links.
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The new AI model, called the Earth System Foundation Model, has learned the fundamental relationships between the atmosphere, the land surface and the water cycle.
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The AI model can fill in missing data and flexibly handle a wide range of data types and research questions in weather and environmental science.
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By understanding how air, land and water interact, it helps improve insight into extreme weather events such as storms or droughts.
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The new AI model, called the Earth System Foundation Model, was developed within the Swiss AI Initiative and has learned the fundamental relationships between the atmosphere, the land surface and the water cycle.
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Read the whole article on ethz.ch (link in bio)
Why do we get stuck in traffic? A study of 30 cities shows how urban design and use drive congestion—and could reshape future transport planning.
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Researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA) have correlated geoinformation data from 30 major cities worldwide with data on traffic congestion.
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Deploying a newly developed method, they have succeeded in establishing causal relationships between spatiotemporal changes in a city and its traffic flows.
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If the findings are combined with detailed studies of cities, they could contribute to better urban and transport planning in the medium term.
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Read the full article on ethz.ch
The ETH course “Digital Creativity for Circular Construction” combines architecture, engineering and computer science. Teams work on real-life projects for actual users. 🏗
The course was developed by Professor Catherine De Wolf and is open not only to students from engineering but also from disciplines such as architecture and computer science.👩🏫
With the aid of digital tools, such as laser scanning, AI and extended reality, students design new structures using old materials. 🏘
The students’ work has been showcased at the Kunsthalle Zürich, the Art Genève fair and the Venice Architecture Biennale. 🖼
Who kept your city running during lockdown?
Bus drivers. Cleaners. Retail workers. Caregivers.
“systemrelevant!” is a research project sharing their experiences through an interactive tool. Drawing on interviews with 37 essential workers in the city of Zurich, four fictional characters were developed: Ivana (retail), Sarah (daycare), Silvina (cleaning), and Peter (public transport). Through the tool one can follow these workers in their everyday lives in Zurich and learn about their work, families, friendships, and housing situations during the COVID-19 pandemic by listening to their stories in chats.
“systemrelevant!” highlights voices that are often overlooked, yet vital to urban life. It was developed as part of the NRP80 Covid-19 in Society programme within the project “Urban Essential Workers”. Contributors included Carole Ammann and David Kaufmann from the ETH Zurich Spatial Development and Urban Policy - SPUR) group, as well as Mirko Winkel and Carolin Schurr from the mLAB at the Institute of Geography at the University of Bern.
Explore the tool: www.system-relevant.ch
@ethzurich@universitaetbern@swissnationalsciencefoundation
#Covid19 #EssentialWorkers #SystemRelevant #UrbanStudies
Next Wednesday, 22 April 2026, Professor Paola Passalacqua will give her inaugural lecture at ETH Zurich. Please join us for this special occasion.
She is Professor of Hydrology and River System Science @ethzurich and @eawag_aquaticresearch
“Networked Waters: Complexity, Connection, and Change”
🕰 Time: 17:15–18:30
📍 Venue: HG F 30, ETH Zürich Zentrum, Rämistrasse 101
🎥 Live stream available on baug.ethz.ch
From broken bones to earthquakes – failure is easy to ignore… until it happens.
For David Kammer, recently promoted to Associate Professor of Solid Mechanics at @ethzurich , understanding failure is at the heart of his research.
He studies how materials fracture across scales, from microscopic damage in biological tissue to ruptures along tectonic faults. By combining simulations and laboratory experiments, his work explores why failure is so difficult to predict and what it would take to better anticipate it.
Beyond research, he is deeply engaged in teaching, favouring interactive, collaborative formats that mirror real scientific practice. Looking ahead, he sees interdisciplinary work as essential for tackling the many open questions in failure mechanics.
Read full article on baug.ethz.ch
#MaterialsScience #SolidMechanics #FractureMechanics #Engineering
Cities can’t build their way out of traffic anymore – they need smarter systems.
At ETH Zurich, Grace Kagho is building a digital twin of her hometown Lagos. As a researcher and founder of the spin-off Urban Echo, she is working to make her data-driven approach to sustainable urban planning available to cities worldwide, supported by an ETH Social Impact Pioneer Fellowship by @eth4development .
Read full article on baug.ethz.ch
#UrbanMobility #SmartCities #DigitalTwin #ResilientCities #Lagos
🎉 A great honour for Nora Lüthen, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering @ethzurich : She has received an Early Career Prize from the US Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics for her mathematical research on the acceleration of computer simulations.
Read full article on baug.ethz.ch
In his own words, Lucas Gobatti, a doctoral student in Environmental Engineering @ethzurich and @eawag_aquaticresearch , shares his deeply inspiring experience of attending the Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore. From meeting Nobel laureates to a Night Safari, he reflects on what made it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Lucas' research focuses on the importance of water in cooling cities to help achieve Thermal Justice.
Read full article on baug.ethz.ch
@g0batti@gyss_sg@meetethz
🙌 The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering @ethzurich ranks fourth worldwide in Civil & Structural Engineering, according to the QS World University Rankings 2026 published today.
Read full article on baug.ethz.ch
#civilengineering #sustainability #structuralengineering #qsranking
🔥Fire-resistant, recyclable sawdust? Yes!
Researchers from the Chair of Wood Materials Science @ethzurich and @empa_materials_science together have developed a fireproof material from sawdust and mineral which can be utilised for internal partitions. Initial assessments indicate that the material can reach the same fire protection classification as conventional cement-bonded particleboards. In addition, the components of this composite can be reused.
Read full article on baug.ethz.ch
#sawdust #flameretardant #woodscience #recyclable
Glaciers need our attention more than ever.
On World Day for Glaciers (21 March 2026), we invite you to ETH Zurich for a special programme exploring glaciers at the intersection of research, art, and immersive technologies.
Discover the exhibition “Deglaciation – Surveying the Ice”, join curator-led tours, contribute to climate research, and experience virtual reality installations. Researchers from ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, and the University of Fribourg will share insights into glacier retreat and its wider climate impacts. The programme also includes film screenings and interactive formats.
📍 ETH Zurich, HG E 45
🕙 10:00–17:00 | Free admission
(All events in German)
Check out the link in our story for more information.
We look forward to welcoming you.
@eth_library@ethzurich
