Projects

This innovation will help manage extreme situations in the power grid without requiring complete power outages.

The Peva Project investigates how patient-centred and gender-sensitive design can improve gynecological examinations. Through the development and evaluation of a novel speculum, the project explores the relationship between autonomy, comfort, and medical device design.

Suture-free approach for immediate wound stability, reduced scarring and pain, and improved clinical efficiency

Nanostructured dental implants made of zirconia

Nano-structured absorbable implants for pediatric neurosurgery

Micro selective laser melting for miniature metallic devices

Free-space optical communication (FSOC) is considered a key enabling technology for future quantum communication networks. To better understand the physical foundations of this technology, the FHNW, in collaboration with GA-Synopta, is developing a mobile drone platform that investigates atmospheric disturbances in the context of quantum communication – cost-efficient, flexible, and practice-oriented.

The Institute of Polymer Nanotechnology FHNW is expanding its equipment and expertise in the field of surface analysis with a brand-new laser microscope.

Future-proof communication systems increasingly rely on quantum communication – for example, through optical links between satellites and ground stations. To test this technology under realistic conditions, FHNW, in collaboration with GA-Synopta, is developing a balloon-based platform that simulates near-Earth orbit conditions. Stratospheric balloons (High-Altitude Platforms, HAPS) offer a unique and cost-efficient alternative to satellite missions.

Testing drug-carrier combinations and quantities to determine their effect on dissolution

Translating the benefits of DBS testing to veterinary medicine

Promising approach using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) requires standardised reference materials and protocols

The 7-week online programme SwissAfricaPayCyber provides practical expertise and fosters international exchange among trainers, business experts, and professionals from Switzerland and South Africa.

Gaming with elderly people

The FHNW Institute for Data Science researches the use of generative deep learning-based language models to create tailored texts.

A newly developed diagnostic tool enables real-time remote monitoring of complex manufacturing systems worldwide.

Building Automation in the Age of the Internet of Things (IoT)

Scalable GenXR—Generative AI for Extended Reality—explores novel methods for transforming one or a few 2D product images into high-quality 3D models for augmented and extended reality. The project aims to enable largely automated, scalable and sustainable 3D content creation for retail and beyond by reducing manual processing and improving energy efficiency.

Photos and floor plans are transformed into realistic 3D models that allow prospective tenants to explore apartments spatially and intuitively.

LiSi brings professional lighting systems to the web: By combining web based system configuration with physically accurate light simulation in real-time, the project enables interactive and lighting design directly in the browser.

An AI-assisted approach to radically simplifying requirements elicitation and the configuration of enablerr, a fully configurable no-code business software platform for orchestrating digital business processes. By combining automated, customer-specific configuration proposals with continuous monitoring and feedback, the approach lays the foundation for faster, smarter, and more scalable customer onboarding.

We are advancing cultural heritage digitization by combining state-of-the-art 3D capture techniques with automated processing, streaming, and real-time rendering — delivering museum-grade visual quality for immersive exploration directly in the browser.

We contribute to the IMPORTANT medical study with a tool-supported method for patient-centred recruitment. The study aims to improve breast cancer treatment for older patients by combining real-world evidence to reduce treatment-related toxicity.

The project develops a digital assistant that helps planning professionals select suitable solutions for structure-borne sound insulation and vibration protection.

This project explores how robotic assistants can be meaningfully integrated into care homes. Together with caregivers, it develops safe and practical solutions that relieve staff and support quality of care.

Ensuring continuity, coordinating the implementation, and shaping the future of Europe’s leading conference on requirements engineering REFSQ.

This AI assistant is designed to support older adults before and after surgery and help detect, prevent and treat cognitive impairments at an early stage.

Turning ordinary homes to smart homes to detect and prevent falls for older adults

Agriculture faces the challenge of controlling weeds efficiently without relying on environmentally harmful pesticides. Particularly in Switzerland, where fields are often small and uneven, existing mechanical weed control equipment reaches its limits. In collaboration with Strebel Maschinen AG, FHNW has developed an innovative solution: an AI-powered hoeing machine that detects weeds in seed rows of varying widths and removes them selectively. This is intended to reduce pesticide use by up to 100%.

To support load management and energy procurement for a distribution network operator, FHNW has developed a practical tool.

A multimodal ethnography on environmental sensing that merges design and anthropological knowledge through a focus on cryosphere science.

How are imaginations of politics and community shaped through digital infrastructure?

Analysis of the causes of resistance and the dynamics of participation, as well as the development of measures for a constructive and consensus-oriented cooperation.

Field workers often make decisions by mentally translating 2D maps into complex real world environments. This project explores how Augmented Reality can support more intuitive, in situ interaction with geospatial data. Grounded in user research, it aims to improve spatial understanding and decision making directly in the field.

Empowering young people to understand, critically assess, and use AI responsibly: the ASGD project develops a tool-supported workshop for equipping the next generation with the skills they need to navigate and shape an AI-driven world.

Upcycling residual dairy and animal biomass into valuable peptides and amino acids

Water security for climate-resilient cities (PROAGUA 2025-2028)

With precise sensor technology for healthy soil and safe wheat: In the EU project WHEATWATCHER, the FHNW is developing a smart monitoring system for sustainable agriculture. The goal is to intelligently combine environmental protection, resource efficiency, and food security.

Assessment of Acceptance and Potential for Optimization of the Innovative Vertical Bicycle Parking System in Public Spaces.

To the website of the research project

Visit the website of the research project

Visit the website of the research project

Printing of commonly used medicines at custom doses in hospital and community pharmacies

Developing drug formulations for the rapid enteric delivery and release of Brush Border Enzyme Supplementation Technology (BBEST)

Cleaner Air Through Better Measurement

Artificial skin can be life-saving for people with severe burns, extensive wounds, or congenital skin disorders – especially when insufficient healthy skin is available for autografting. In this research project, the team is advancing large-scale functionalized artificial skin using highly precise technologies such as femtosecond lasers and optical coherence tomography. The goal is to improve the production, characterization, and biocompatibility of biomedical tissue while scaling the developed technologies towards future commercial applications.

Smart microfactory to foster personalized cancer treatments

Anode-free solid-state lithium batteries promise higher energy density, lower costs and improved safety – but they still face challenges such as uneven lithium distribution and early capacity loss. In the Nano-Argovia project BatCoat, the research team shows that ultrathin silver and protective coatings on the current collector can overcome these issues and significantly extend battery lifetime.

Autonomous solar-powered IoT sensors for smart cities

National AI Initiative for Precision Oncology (NAIPO)

Visit the website of the research project

Visit the website of the research project

The Role and Significance of New Media, Technologies and Technoscientific Methods in the Arts for the Perception and Awareness of the Ecological.

Eingebettet in das von sieben Schweizer Hochschulen lancierte SNF-Sinergia-Projekt "Swiss Graphic Design and Typography Revisited" bearbeitet ein kleines Forschungsteam das Teilprojekt "Principles of Education".

Development and validation of an AI operator (digital twin) that generates a real-time visualization of intelligent action recommendations for the operators of a thermal test plant.

How can biochar help to permanently store CO₂ – while at the same time improving agricultural livelihoods and soil fertility?

Strategies for dealing with a polarised public debate on new plant breeding technologies

The Centre of Excellence for Circular Economy in Life Science develops and implements circular solutions across the entire value chain, from concept to implementation.

Current trends in Swiss innovation activities

SNF Bridge Discovery project for the anonymization and synthesis of longitudinal data (panel data, mobility data, event data, etc.).

Strengthening the resilience of European labor markets

Strengthen the quality and consistency of centralized and decentralized evaluation processes.

DC4HC provides transparency regarding the digital maturity of healthcare institutions and enables targeted, comparable, and scalable digitization decisions thanks to AI-supported benchmarking.

The project examines how classic value and quality factors can be combined and optimized. The aim of the project was to create a sound basis for the practical implementation of a value-quality investment strategy for private and institutional investors.

The example of Geneva is used to examine how cantonal rent regulations and CO₂ subsidies influence construction investment in the residential sector.

Von der Vision zum Erlebnis – Wir schaffen das greifbare Zielbild für den zirkulären Alltag von Morgen.

Innovationsprogramm der Schweiz zur aktiven CO₂-Entfernung für eine klimaneutrale Zukunft.

Keep Swissport at the forefront of innovation through people-centered RL solutions.

Our project delivers an MVP prototype for Los Lorentes Residences. We developed a role-based, mobile-friendly application with reporting possibilities.

A Focus on Administrative, IT, and Third Space Staff.

An Organisational Digital Twin based Leadership Consulting Eco-System

The FHNW Institute of Interactive Technologies develops a marketplace for the open development of systems of artificial intelligence (AI). The marketplace allows connecting in-house AI pipelines with the AI pipelines of partner companies for collaboratively developing AI systems in a controlled and trusted manner.

The FHNW Institute of Interactive Technologies develops a new generation of interfaces that transform traditional surfaces like tables into interactive environments.

Thanks to machine learning algorithms, defects along the production chain of hybrid photon counting (HPC) detectors can be detected and eliminated early.

Application of state-of-the-art NLP models increases efficiency of third party patent monitoring in the nutrition and bioscience industry.

Buildings in Switzerland use about 40% of the country's energy. We are developing a system to create digital models of physical buildings to make the renovation process more efficient.

Swiss German is a difficult language to transcribe. Our project has resulted in an easy, commercially available tool for transcribing and translating Swiss German into Standard German.

Together with our project partners, we develop zero-shot learning and other machine learning tools for recognising pollen particles anywhere in the world. As a result, it will be easier to create reliable pollen weather forecasts.

A software infrastructure that enables efficient and robust pipeline processing of the vast amount of data in distributed processing sites.

The Spectrometer / Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) is an X-ray telescope that makes images and spectra of solar explosions called flares. It is one of the 10 instruments on board the ESA spacecraft Solar Orbiter.

When you build the world’s largest telescope, you end up collecting an astronomical amount of data. We help the international mega-science project SKAO manage its Big Data.

Community of research and practice in water, sanitation and hygiene in Central Asia

Testing 420 filters from five manufacturers in Palestine, Somalia and Kenya

A newly developed, high-precision sensor system enables the dynamic measurement of track subsidence during train passage. The project makes a significant contribution to increasing railway safety and to the early detection of changes in the ground structure.

The use of hydrogen as an energy carrier plays a key role in the successful energy transition. For the safe and efficient transport of hydrogen, new materials are required that are both lightweight and high-strength while withstanding extreme temperatures. The research project LeiWaCo (Lightweight Hydrogen Container), in collaboration with the industrial partner Suprem SA and in association with the German BMBF research project of the same name, is developing innovative thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composites for use in cryogenic hydrogen tanks. The aim is to produce a lightweight, tight, and cost-efficient tank material that meets the stringent requirements of hydrogen mobility.

With a newly developed, energy-efficient data logger, the FHNW – together with DuraMon AG – enables the continuous monitoring of corrosion in reinforced concrete structures. This innovative solution provides precise real-time data, helping to detect damage early and significantly reduce maintenance costs.

User-Centered Needs Assessment Informed by Patient and Clinician Interviews

Easy Assessment of SolubilitY with high efficiency second harmonic light scattering

Fast and Accurate Solubility for Sustainability (FASS): a disruptive technology to revolutionise solubility testing

Developing a user-centered business model for autonomous mobility to help reduce car dependency and support the shift toward more sustainable public transport in Switzerland

Switzerland is active in space, but many don’t know it. Our public engagement programme shares information and encourages people of all ages to explore space actively.

An Investigation in the Uptake of Graphic Design Software in Switzerland and France, 1980–today.

As digitalization advances, images are playing an increasingly important role—especially in making multimodal communication more accessible and inclusive. The research project Text and Image in Easy Language investigates the role of images in Easy Language texts and their impact on text comprehension.

The project looks at how digital training programmes can help correct cyclists’ skills deficits.

Together with young adolescents aged 11 to 15, i-MOBYL explores their visions of mobility, how they want to access everyday opportunities, provides insight into their mobility patterns, and develops and tests solutions for more active, independent, and inclusive mobility and participation.

In a bid to nudge consumer decisions in online shopping towards more sustainable options, this project is developing an algorithmic system that identifies the most effective approach.

New biocompatible materials for tissue engineering of bone and cartilage replacements

Harnessing Consumer Data for the Collective Good: Transforming Food Purchases into Insights for Public Health and Sustainable Consumption.