Signals, in order.

Giacomo Sala at the Paul Scherrer Institute has been awarded a €2.3 million (≈CHF 2.2 million) ERC Starting Grant to pursue the Q‑GEOMSPIN project, which merges spintronics with quantum geometry. The research aims to uncover new spintronic effects in topological materials, potentially leading to more efficient data storage and novel material properties. The grant will support a small team of doctoral and post‑doctoral researchers over five years, utilizing PSI’s advanced facilities such as the Swiss Light Source and a new cryostat.

Source: Swiss Federal Government

EPFL researchers developed GOLLuM, a framework that trains large language models to act as uncertainty‑calibrated optimizers for experimental design. By coupling an LLM with a Gaussian process doubt detector, GOLLuM learns from past experiments to reorganize the search space, achieving faster convergence and higher success rates across 23 benchmark tasks in chemistry and materials science. The method reduces the number of required experiments by over 40% compared to traditional Bayesian optimization.

Source: EPFL News

The study develops a statistical model that estimates the risk of occult lymph node metastases in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma patients based on clinical lymph node involvement, T-stage, and tumor subsite. Using a mixture of hidden Markov models trained on 2437 patients from 13 subsites, the model identifies distinct spread patterns for anterior oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and glottic larynx, and predicts low risk of metastases in specific lymph node levels for certain subsites. The framework offers interpretable, individualized predictions that could inform personalized el…

Source: OpenAlex

This research explores using GPS data to estimate network quality in private network deployments. It focuses on measuring and analyzing network performance metrics through GPS-driven methods. The study is conducted globally.

Source: OpenAlex

The SETI Institute has entered a strategic partnership with ETH Zurich, providing start‑up funding of 8.5 million USD over ten years to establish a new assistant professorship in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. The professorship, titled “Earth and Planetary Evolution,” will be based at ETH’s Centre for Origin and Prevalence of Life (COPL) and will support research on biosignatures, habitability, and the co‑evolution of life and the environment on Earth and other planets. The collaboration aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research and foster international cooperation in the…

Source: ETH Zurich News

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a simple freeze‑structuring method that turns whole peas, beans and lentils into fibrous products by soaking, heating, and directional freezing. The technique preserves the legumes’ nutritional value and works with 96 % of worldwide legume species, offering a versatile, low‑processing alternative to conventional food production. The process can be performed with just water and a freezer, making it accessible for home kitchens.

Source: ETH Zurich News

Scientifica 2026, a nine‑day science festival organised by ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, attracted around 40,000 visitors and featured over 1,500 researchers, students and start‑ups presenting projects under the theme ‘How we create knowledge’. The event took place across multiple campuses and the Zurich Innovation Park, with more than 70 individual events held throughout the city.

Source: ETH Zurich News

EPFL researchers have developed an intrinsic polarization superjunction (iPSJ) gallium nitride transistor that can withstand nearly 4 kV while maintaining low resistance, a record for this technology. The design balances charge sheets to prevent voltage concentration, eliminating the need for doping and improving robustness across temperature ranges. This advancement could enable compact, high‑voltage power electronics for AI data centers, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems.

Source: EPFL News

The study demonstrates that targeted mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of saliva can reliably monitor physiological strain and map circadian rhythmicity. It provides a non-invasive method for assessing biological stress and temporal patterns in human subjects.

Source: OpenAlex

A UBS Chief Investment Office report examines why Swiss start‑ups relocate, finding that a lack of venture capital and foreign VC influence drive moves, especially to the US where 85% of relocations occur. The study compares Switzerland’s VC funding share of GDP with Israel and the US, noting Switzerland trails in VC investment, and reports that 6% of Swiss start‑ups have relocated. The report recommends strengthening domestic VC and easing regulatory barriers to retain talent and economic value.

Source: Startupticker