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Flying wind power plants to generate energy at great heights

At high altitudes the wind is much stronger. Empa researchers want to harness the energy slumbering in the wind with the aid of kites. The technology would be particularly suitable for generating electricity in remote areas.

The power resides in its skin

Lamborghini is famous for its full-throated, powerful gasoline engines. But this Italian maker of super sports cars wants to be ready for a future that will be electric. Lamborghini engineers teamed up with researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to develop the concept car Terzo Millennio, an all-electric super sports car that runs entirely without batteries.

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Improved carbon footprint thanks to the utilization of surplus electricity

Power-to-X processes could play a key role in reducing Switzerland’s CO₂ emissions. These processes convert excess electricity generated using renewable sources into liquid or gaseous energy carriers. A group of researchers recently explored the potential of power-to-X for Switzerland.

Irrationality with a clear conscience

even a modicum of irrationality. So in this respect, too, the Taycan is a genuine Porsche – electric drive or not. e-power electric car hypercar porsche taycan supercar Share this article E-mail Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Lukas

Researchers unveil energy storage concept using a sand cable car

Researchers have come up with the vision of a pumped storage power plant of a special kind. Their idea involves a type of cable car that can be used to transport sand or gravel up mountains in order to generate electricity when required by transporting it down the mountain again.

Study: Reducing the carbon footprint of houses and cars also saves money

It is possible to reduce the carbon footprint attributable to driving and housing while saving money at the same time. This has been determined by researchers from the “Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies” (BEST) competence center in Wieselburg, Austria.

Brain-machine interfaces for the mass-market

The factory of the future: Humans use brain-machine interfaces to control production processes through the power of their minds. This vision was presented to the public on the campus of the EPFL Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne within the framework of the “Mental Work” project. At the same time, a unique data set was collected.

ETH builds ultrafast chip of the future

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) have discovered what the computer industry has been looking for since 20 years: A method of combining light and electronics on an ultrafast chip. Their plasmonic chip is more powerful, smaller, and cheaper to produce than any previous technology.

The enchantress of numbers

The first algorithm was devised a century before the invention of the computer. It was developed by Ada Lovelace. Born into British aristocracy, her visionary ideas foreshadowed the digital age.

New propulsion systems on the test bench

Fossil fuels are a thing of the past, the future of mobility is sustainable. Which propulsion systems live up to this claim and also have what it takes to win through on the mass market? An overview.

University of Zurich teaches drones tricks

Thanks to a navigation algorithm, drones are learning to autonomously perform acrobatic maneuvers. Using simulations, the autonomous aircraft are trained to become faster, more agile, and more efficient.

Netflix junkies are harming the environment

Not so long ago, a home movie night was always preceded by a visit to the video rental store. Nowadays, all it takes to stream movies and TV shows on our screens are a few mouse clicks. Streaming services are booming. But the convenience of streaming is harming the environment.

German researchers develop skin for robots

The aim of this is to enable robots to perceive their surroundings more effectively and even to balance on one leg. For the very first time, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany report that they have fully equipped a human-sized robot with an artificial skin.

Swissloop is hovering on a wave of success

With its second place in the Hyperloop contest in the United States, the Swiss engineering collective Swissloop has caused quite a stir. Now they are ready to take the next step.

Crash-proof drone

Researchers in Zurich have developed a drone that does not crash – even if one of its rotors fails.

An end to flight shame

Will we ever be able to fly with a clean conscience again? The good news: Technologies for zero-carbon aviation are already available today. The bad: It will take years to bring them to market.

ETH mathematicians facilitate rescue at sea

Researchers have developed a method of calculation that speeds up the search for people in distress at sea. Their new algorithm can be used to predict where objects or people are likely to drift to on the sea surface.

Fiber optic cables reveal the inner workings of glaciers

Fiber optic cables offer seismologists new possibilities to investigate the interior of glaciers. One day, this method may even make it possible to predict glacial collapse.

Researchers at the University of Zurich develop extremely agile drones

Researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH) have developed a system that enables flying robots to be very agile. A new type of camera allows autonomous drones to respond much faster than if they were controlled by a human pilot.