Home: zhaw-impact

Natural and artificial

It seems to be part of human nature to constantly want to improve ourselves and our environment. This ambition has made our lives more comfortable in many ways. At times, however, we overshoot the mark and conclude that it is time to return to our roots.

Read this article

- Opinion
Planetary Health – episode 2: New thinking for new food

While spent grain was once considered a waste product, resourceful breweries are now using it to make pizzas or biscuits. This means that more of the valuable substances produced during the brewing (...)
Gisela and Tilo Hühn
28.03.2023
- Main Topic
Helping ideas for a circular economy to take off

The ZHAW conducts research into circular products and business models and supports companies in implementing their ideas. The Institute of Product Development and Production Technologies places a (...)
Interview by Patricia Faller
28.03.2023
- Main Topic
New degree programme: the circular economy in all its facets

Completely new, holistic business models will be needed if we are to become truly climate-neutral. However, companies still lack the skilled workers they need to turn this vision into reality. This is (...)
Ümit Yoker
28.03.2023
- People
She conducts research on volunteering and volunteers herself to help prison inmates

Changing roles during everyday life is something that comes naturally to Sigrid Haunberger: the ZHAW researcher is not only a university lecturer, but also offers support to prison inmates and works (...)
Elena Ibello
28.03.2023
- Study
How chatbots and the like are influencing student and university life

While artificial intelligence tools can enhance student life, they also come fraught with risks. Universities need to explore new avenues in how they conduct their teaching and research activities. (...)
Johanna Seiwald
28.03.2023
- Main Topic
Despite landscape protection and preservation orders: the great potential of the sun

While expectations for solar energy are rising, the sense of nervousness is also on the increase. Politicians now want to launch a solar expansion offensive. This calls for a critical evaluation. ZHAW (...)
Thomas Müller
16.12.2022
- Opinion
Planetary Health: why food chains have to become food networks

After the most recent climate summit, we are left with no choice but to ask ourselves once more whether our planet can still be saved. And if it can, how? These are the questions addressed in the new (...)
Gisela and Tilo Hühn
16.12.2022
- Main Topic
A 90 percent power saving thanks to smart lighting

Patrik Deuss has developed intelligent luminaires that work very efficiently. What started with a Bachelor’s thesis at the ZHAW has transformed into a start-up with 42 employees five years later. By (...)
Seraina Sattler
16.12.2022
- Main Topic
Electric cars are not the perfect answer

Electric cars represent a key step forward towards more sustainable mobility for the future – all the more so, since their batteries can be put to use as buffer storage for renewable energies. A (...)
Ümit Yoker
16.12.2022
- Main Topic
Innovation attuned to the population

Developments like the energy transition can trigger concern and resistance within society. Through a novel approach to citizen engagement, ZHAW is supporting the municipality of Thalwil in gaining (...)
Stéphanie Hegelbach
16.12.2022
- Main Topic
Storing summer heat in a salt solution

ZHAW researcher Thomas Bergmann doesn’t consider it a good idea to use electricity for heating. His alternative concept makes use of thermochemical networks that can transport and store heat with (...)
Mathias Plüss
16.12.2022
- Main Topic
A unique look at the power grid

Power shortages, blackouts – what lies in store for us this winter? Petr Korba and his team simulate the European power grid in real time and identify disruption and blackout scenarios that could (...)
Christa Rosatzin
16.12.2022
- Main Topic
Storage technologies: how surplus power can be used sensibly

Surplus power can be stored temporarily in batteries or used to generate gas. In this way, fluctuations in production can be balanced out in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner, as (...)
Von Mathias Plüss
16.12.2022
- Main Topic
CO₂ is not only a climate killer, but also a raw material

The greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) is not only a climate killer, but also a raw material from which chemical precursors and fuels can be produced. By recovering CO₂ from the atmosphere using (...)
David Bäuerle
16.12.2022
- Main Topic
Is hydrogen the new natural gas?

The expansion of renewable energy is resulting in weather-related fluctuations in power production. To date, it has not been possible to reliably compensate for this volatility. Alternative fuels such (...)
David Bäuerle
16.12.2022