All projects from the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management
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Evaluation of benefits and risk of assisted migration in Fagus species
Risk and benefits of assisted introduction of drought-resistant Fagus species in Europe European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is one of the economically most important broadleaved trees in Europe. Its natural geographical diffusion area is however expected to experience a major shift as a consequence of global warming. ...
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ChitinOMix – A multidisciplinary project to understand the effect of chitin soil amendment on the plant response, natural microbial community and the fate of human pathogenic bacteria
The consumption of fruit and vegetables are considered as important for a healthy and balanced diet and recognized as a significant source of vitamins and fibre. Authorities encourage the consumption of fresh plant produce, but food safety of fresh fruits and vegetables continues to be a major concern. By now it is ...
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KEF Strip - Preliminary Study on development of an "AgriStrip" for the Spotted Wing Drosophila, SWD
In cooperation with Bioreba AG, it is to be clarified whether it is possible to develop an "AgriStrip" (lateral flow device, such as pregnancy test) for the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii. This requires literature research and preliminary laboratory tests.
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SFOE mandate for the "Energy from biogas" working group of the International Energy Agency (2019-2021)
Urs Baier is the SFOE's mandate holder for the triennium 2019 - 2021 in the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Task 37 working group "Energy from Biogas". The aim of Task 37 is to exchange information and disseminate knowledge on the production of biogas and its use in energy production. The mandate represents an ...
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WWF Standards Evaluations
In 2015, the NGOs PUSCH, WWF and others published a comparison of food standards on the Swiss market in order to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. This comparison is based on a multi-dimensional evaluation through indicators in environmental, social and governance aspects (Herrmann et al., 2015). ...
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Bioprinting of biofilms
Biofilm formation by microorganisms on surfaces is a natural phenomenon, but can also cause major problems in various fields of application. To evaluate measures for or against biofilm development, specifically developed test systems are often used. The reproducible production of biofilms is essential. By means of ...
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Campus Challenge Sustainability Exchange
It is undisputed that every human being must make his or her contribution if global warming is to be limited to less than 1.5 degrees. However, neither research nor practice is clear about which behavioral patterns are best for each individual. It is also unclear how people are ultimately to get involved. The ...
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DeMo. Urban Ecosystems Design and Modelling: A spatial based approach to integrate habitats in constructed ecosystems
The project aims at developing a method bridging design and ecology to integrate semi-natural habitats in the built environment (constructed ecosystems). We seek to implement this method by using computational tools able to manage biotic and abiotic complex datasets in the form of 2D and 3D maps to generate ...
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Density and Quality - potentials of outdoor spaces
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Ecological Engineering Living Lab
In Ecological Engineering, the processes in nature serve as a model for developing new technologies. As in a natural ecosystem, where nutrients and water circulate, the researchers at ZHAW are developing closed-loop systems that function according to the same principle. The aim is to save resources and minimize the ...
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Food Waste Indicators and Data Monitoring Concept
The Sustainable Development Goals require halving food waste by 2030. The goal of this project is to develop indicators and a data monitoring concept for food waste in Switzerland. The goal is to measure food waste amounts annd environmental impacts periodically in order to evaluate if the reduction target is being ...
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Inspectorate for composting and fermentation plants
The Environmental Biotechnology Unit is a member of the Inspectorate Commission for Composting and Fermentation Plants and carries out plant inspections on a regular basis.
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Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA)
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Preventing capsular contracture by coating of silicone implants with bioglass
Due to its inertness, low toxicity and anti-adhesive properties, silicone is one of the most frequently used materials for medical implants. Amongst silicone materials typically transplanted to patients one finds silicone implants used for breast augmentations in plastic surgery. According to the “International ...
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Resource-Efficient and Sustainable Cultivation Equipment for MicroAlgae Manufacture
With focus on high-value-added applications (Food, Pharma, Cosmetics), this project aims at establishing resource-efficient reactor technology for the cultivation of microalgae. Photobioreactors, in current close-system design, are not fully optimized with regard to energy usage. Several other aspects, such as light ...
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Social and socio-spatial qualities in the Kartoni-Quarters in Glarus
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Sun-Oxygen-System: Energy efficient fishpond aeration enhancing integrated small-scale farming in Cambodia
In this project a solarpowered system, called Sun-Oxygen-System, for the aeration of aquaculture pond systems, will be developed and tested. The system should improve the usage of naturally occuring dissolved oxygen in aquaculture pond systems and through that, allow the operation of off-grid systems. Accompanied by ...
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Virtual Summer School - tackling climate change through global learning
Global challenges require international cooperation at eye level and innovative solution strategies. The ZHAW's virtual summer school "Tackling Climate Change through Global Learning" with partners in Brazil and India aims to train students to become global change makers. Global learning, intercultural communication ...
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Mikafi - Roast Intelligence
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Structural Stable Soils for Zurich
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PiaBreed: Machine Learning for automated ovulation and birth monitoring in horses
The project comprises the tasks of a comprehensive data collection (Piavita/ University of Bern) and the development of a mobile, non-invasive system (Piavita/ZHAW) for veterinarians and breeders. The goal is to collect important vital data and to develop a new algorithm scheme with which - ovulation in mares can ...
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Mission B - Development of Research Lab on Roof
As part of the "Mission B" project of the Swiss Radio and Television SRF, an innovative research laboratory is to be installed on a roof area in Leutschenbach in Zurich, where different types of substrate (ricoter, wool, vegetable charcoal, etc.) and vegetation methods are to be studied. This experimental area will ...
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Power yields of an alpine photovoltaic pilot plant
With the photovoltaic test facility in Davos-Totalp, the influence of the alpine region (altitude, snow cover of the surrounding area, snow cover of the modules, etc.) on the photovoltaic yield in the mountains is being investigated. During the several years of operation, different configurations (module technology, ...
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Using data analysis techniques for the interpretation of stable isotope labelling incorporation from real-time PTR-ToF-MS data
Proton transfer reaction-time of flight-mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) technology gives real time high resolution data of processes and reactions. While trends can be determined with the data the mechanistic pathway of the reactions cannot be conclusively determined. The most powerful way of elucidating these ...
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Analysis of Lipid Oxydation in Food
Oxidation aldehydes and ketones. Setup fast GC PTRMS.