July 2024
Uncovering the link between meltwater and groundwater in mountain regions
An international group of experts in mountain hydrology argue that the traditional understanding of the mountain water cycle has largely ignored the role that cryosphere-groundwater interactions play. This oversight could lead to incomplete or inaccurate predictions of water availability in mountain regions, especially in the context of climate change, the authors suggest in a recent Perspective Paper.
How satellite images help to protect forests
Earth seen from space: ETH spin-off askEarth facilitates access to satellite images for environmental and climate monitoring. It supports businesses in combatting deforestation.
How climate change is altering the Earth’s rotation
When the Earth’s ice masses melt, the way the planet rotates also changes. Researchers at ETH Zurich led by Professor Benedikt Soja have now been able to show how climate change is altering the Earth’s axis of rotation and the length of the day. The speed of rotation, which was hitherto mainly influenced by the moon, will now also depend much more on the climate.
Eleni Chatzi promoted to full professor
At its meeting on 11 and 12 July, the ETH Board appointed and promoted several professors at the request of ETH President Joël Mesot, including Professor Eleni Chatzi of the Institute of Structural Engineering.
Awards for excellent doctoral theses
Every year, outstanding doctoral theses are awarded the ETH Medal. In 2024, five young researchers from the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering received this honour. The ETH Medal was presented today by Rector Günther Dissertori at the doctoral ceremony. Congratulations!
New space for innovation: D-BAUG's renovated and expanded HIF building
The HIF building on the Hönggerberg campus has been renovated and extended for the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG). The department's research now benefits from an enlarged construction hall and new laboratories, among other things. The new building was officially opened in mid-June.
Getting together: IfU Scientific Speed Dating
At the end of the semester, the Institute of Environmental Engineering met for its annual Scientific Speed Dating event. The visualisation of poster titles required creativity and team spirit. The subsequent quiz, in which the drawings had to be matched with the titles, allowed the teams to test their dynamics. By comparing the drawings with the actual posters, it was possible to gain a small insight into the research of 11 IfU scientists.