Their names are Marianne Liebi Adrian Wanner. Two young researchers who make the nanostructure of macroscopic samples, such as bones or brain tissue, visible in three dimensions using high-resolution images.

Empa researchers have developed novel materials made of carbon that exploit quantum effects to exhibit previously unattainable electronic and magnetic properties.

Professor of number theory Maryna Viazovska has solved a mathematical problem that has stumped researchers for centuries. This achievement brought her recognition with the Fields Medal, which is something like a “Nobel Prize for Mathematics”.

The institutions of the ETH Domain produce around 60 spin-offs each year. Among them, five are valued at over one billion dollars. Here is an introduction to these five “unicorns”.

The Swiss energy system is expected to be climate-neutral by 2050. The key to this is science: CO2 can be converted by electrolysis into raw materials for chemicals or synthetic fuels and the cost of a fossil-free energy system can be calculated using modelling.

Matthias Saurer is a physicist and heads the WSL isotope laboratory where complex measuring procedures are used to determine plants’ isotope ratios. These provide answers to questions about the nutrient and water balance in forests, for example, and provide important foundations for environmental and climate research.

Anna Kiesenhofer has a doctorate in mathematics and was doing research as a postdoc at EPFL on partial differential equations when she qualified for the cycling road race at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and won the gold medal in sensational fashion. She sees parallels between mathematics and cycling which were instrumental in her success.   

Cyanobacteria are ancient organisms. The most varied types of shells without a core, which, at high density in warm waters, can secrete complex substances and also toxins. Some are toxic to both humans and animals. Elisabeth Janssen is on the trail of these natural toxins: applied research, the results of which can be incorporated into water protection or water management.

Quantum physics has a long tradition at ETH Zurich. Now it is further expanding its teaching and research activities. Around 150 students are completing the novel Master’s degree programme in Quantum Engineering, there is a “Quantum Center” and quantum computers are to be built in the ETHZ-PSI Quantum Computing Hub.

Failing to perform an experiment, considering the wrong hypothesis, having a paper rejected: failure is not only normal in science, it is also essential for cutting-edge research. What is the experience of researchers in the ETH Domain with this sensitive topic?

A pan-European initiative launched at the behest of the Swiss and British research communities calls for the two countries to be rapidly reintegrated into European science.

What are the institutions of the ETH Domain doing to reduce the CO2 emissions of their buildings? An overview shows: quite a lot, from anergy and waste heat to district heating and photovoltaics.

Key figures

Highlights from the ETH Domain in 2025

“We want to serve Switzerland as best we can”

Image: Aurel Märki

Blue-green infrastructure

In Zurich-Oerlikon, a dog-like robot from the ETH Zurich spin-off Rivr delivers food, while ANYmal inspects refineries and chemical plants and reports leaks or irregularities to the control centre. The research behind these developments comes from the Center for Roboticsat ETH Zurich, led by Marco Hutter. And the robotics researcher is thinking further – into space.

How a sanitary towel detects diseases

Eawag

Review 2025

Area monitoring by Swiss Forest Protection

Within the scope of its obligation to report annually to the Confederation, the ETH Board illuminates various aspects of the development of the ETH Domain. The annual report is a critical self-assessment of the ETH Domain conducted by the ETH Board, combined with a report on how the annual federal financial contribution is used. This report is based on the Federal Council’s strategic objectives and is submitted to the Federal Council. However, it is also directed to the Federal Parliament and the interested public.

Both universities' strong showing in the rankings

Annual Report 2025

List of public contracts in 2024 (only in German)

Consultation on the results of the Switzerland-EU negotiation

Strategy for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion 2025–2028

Spin-offs: Common licensing principles within the ETH Domain

List of public contracts in 2023 (only in German)

ETH Domain Factsheet on the ERI Message (in German)

University rankings 2023/2024

Financial Report 2023

Annual Report 2023

Strategic Plan 2025–2028

Report of the Expert Committee