19.01.21

Self-disinfecting mask gives active virus protection at the touch of a button

ZHAW researchers, together with the Swiss company Osmotex AG, are developing a self-disinfecting mask that makes viruses inactive at the touch of a button. The prototype of the mask made from electrochemical textiles, which is like no other…

14.10.20

ZHAW researchers train enzyme that breaks down plastic

The “PETase” enzyme can break down plastic, but it is not very productive. ZHAW researchers are therefore applying “directed evolution” to train the enzyme so that it can be used in future for treating drinking water or biorecycling. Machine learning…

19.12.18

Youth’s purchases of mobile phones worse for the environment than their use

If young people in Switzerland were to use their phones one year longer, this would reduce the impact on the environment by 25 per cent. ZHAW researchers have calculated that the production of a mobile phone accounts for 77 per cent of the…

02.05.18

Gold, silver or bronze for outstanding extra virgin olive oils

Six extra virgin olive oils were awarded ‘gold’ at the Olive Oil Award 2018 (OOA). Spain once again dominated the competition, claiming five gold awards. Only Portugal was able to match this standard as they also received ‘gold’ for an olive oil with…

20.09.17

A high-tech camera trap to detect weasels

ZHAW engineers have developed a novel camera trap tube for small mammals. With this method, endangered species, such as least weasels, can be documented more easily and with the help of non-specialists. Previous methods have been very complicated and…

15.06.17

Decaffeinating tea without using chemical additives

For the first time, ZHAW researchers have succeeded in decaffeinating high-quality tea naturally without using any added chemicals. In collaboration with tea producer Infré SA, they have developed a prototype system that works entirely without…