How ETH Zurich is enabling new knowledge through research infrastructures
Investing in the creation of knowledge: From advances in medical research and sustainable construction to the development of quantum technologies, ETH Zurich demonstrates how targeted investment in cutting-edge infrastructure paves the way for groundbreaking scientific discoveries.?
Cutting-edge research requires cutting-edge infrastructure. Modern research facilities are not merely tools for scientific breakthroughs, they often serve as the very foundation for new discoveries by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. The infrastructures themselves are as varied as the research they support.
Europe’s most powerful geotechnical centrifuge is located on ETH Zurich’s H?nggerberg campus. ETH civil engineers use this facility to simulate earthquakes and ground movements on scaled models of buildings, bridges and tunnels. The insights gained contribute to safer and more sustainable construction practices. The centrifuge also exemplifies how existing research infrastructure can be refurbished and repurposed for cutting-edge science – after all, it was originally deployed in Germany’s Ruhr region before being brought to ETH (see ETH News, 19 April 2021).
Many research infrastructures expand the horizons of human perception, granting access to the hidden realm of the tiniest particles. The high-resolution light and electron microscopes of ETH Zurich’s technology platform ScopeM, for instance, enable visualisation of the atomic structure of biological and chemical molecules. The resulting 3D images are essential for the development of new materials, pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
The NEXUS technology platform, meanwhile, provides cutting-edge analytical methods for biomedicine. Using high-throughput techniques, researchers examine proteins, cells, and active substances – making a crucial contribution to the advancement of personalised medicine.
Infrastructure opens windows to new knowledge
To ensure that the results of quantum research are reliable, laboratories must be completely shielded from external influences. ETH Zurich is addressing this need with the construction of the new HPQ research building, which extends 30 metres below ground. This highly insulated environment will support future experiments in quantum physics, paving the way for quantum computers and ultra-precise quantum sensors.
ETH Zurich is also setting new standards in digital construction. The Tor Alva in Mulegns is the world’s tallest 3D-printed building, showcasing how digital technologies and sustainability can be successfully combined. This architectural innovation was made possible through targeted investments in advanced 3D printing and robotics.
"Investments in research infrastructure are a prerequisite for future scientific breakthroughs and practical innovations," says Annette Oxenius, ETH Vice President for Research.
Cooperation and organisation reduce infrastructure costs
In the long term, research infrastructures are worthwhile investments. ETH Zurich places a strong emphasis on ensuring that infrastructures are used efficiently, financed with cost awareness, and meaningfully integrated into technology platforms. These platforms are available to ETH members as well as external users. In addition, ETH Zurich has established various instruments to support its researchers in acquiring the infrastructure required for scientific work.
One such instrument is the Scientific Equipment Programme (SEP), which facilitates the renewal or new procurement of scientific and technological equipment that exceeds the financial scope of individual professorships or institutes. This programme promotes excellence in research, with a strong focus on shared use and collaborative benefit.
The concept of technology platforms plays a key role in the efficient and innovation-oriented procurement and utilisation of infrastructure. ETH Zurich distinguishes between international, national or ETH Domain-wide platforms, ETH-wide platforms, departmental platforms and institute-specific platforms.
Technology Platforms: A key to efficient use of research infrastructure
ETH-wide technology platforms are organised by thematic area and report directly to the Vice President for Research. Their specialised staff support researchers in making optimal use of the facilities. Procurement and operations are centrally handled by ETH Zurich. A key requirement for ETH-wide platforms is that the infrastructure is used by multiple research groups across disciplines, providing rapid access to emerging technologies that are critical in global scientific competition.
The Guide for ETH-wide Technology Platforms provides a framework for the development and operation of these platforms. It also offers researchers a clear overview of their strategic focus and available services.
Cooperation on national infrastructures
For large-scale research infrastructures, ETH Zurich collaborates with other universities and research institutions to jointly procure and operate facilities. A prime example is the Swiss National Ultrahigh-Field Solution NMR Facility, a research platform co-sponsored by the Universities of Basel and Zurich, together with ETH Zurich. This facility enables the study of complex molecules, thereby providing an understanding of how biomolecules function in the body.
For research infrastructures of national significance, ETH Zurich coordinates closely with the ETH Board – with the aim of having these infrastructures included in the Swiss Roadmap for Research Infrastructures. While the roadmap itself is not an investment plan, it serves as a prerequisite for the Federal Government’s Dispatch on the Promotion of Education, Research and Innovation (ERI Dispatch). This, in turn, defines the financial framework for ERI funding over a four-year period.
Research infrastructures are therefore far more than a cost factor. They rather form the essential foundation upon which new knowledge grows, and innovation thrives.
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