Swiss Scientists Develop Revolutionary Material to Improve Indoor Air Quality

CHSwitzerland|

A team of researchers from ETH Zurich has created an innovative building material capable of extracting water from the air, potentially transforming indoor air quality. The scientists designed walls and ceilings that can absorb humidity, storing moisture for later ventilation, thereby addressing the increasing concern for air quality heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to building physicist Magda Posani, one of the study's leaders.

The breakthrough utilizes waste from marble quarrying combined with metakaolin and an alkaline solution to produce these moisture-absorbing structures via 3D printing. Testing conducted in a simulated library environment with 15 occupants revealed significant humidity reductions, suggesting effective management of indoor moisture levels.

This development could lead to more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional mechanical ventilation, which is often energy-intensive and costly. As Switzerland aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, such innovations are crucial for constructing environmentally friendly buildings, according to the researchers.

There are additional solutions emerging in this field, such as moisture-absorbing paints developed by Adept Materials, further enhancing air quality management technologies.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from Switzerland

WHO Finalizes Historic Pandemic Accord Amid Global Urgency

After over three years of negotiations, member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) have agreed on a landmark accord to enhance global preparedness for future pandemics. The deal, sealed early Wednesday at WHO headquarters in Geneva, aims to rectify the failures experienced during the COVID-19 crisis. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the agreement as a "significant milestone" in ensuring global health security. The final discussions occurred under the weight of new health threats, such as H5N1 bird flu and measles, and amidst concerns regarding cuts to U.S. foreign aid and potential tariffs on pharmaceuticals. Delegates overcame last-minute disagreements related to technology transfers intended for developing nations, with an emphasis on mutual agreements for such transfers. The 32-page accord introduces a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System to facilitate the rapid sharing of pathogen data with pharmaceutical companies, expediting research on pandemic-related products. The finalized text is set to be presented for official approval at the WHO's annual assembly next month.
CHSwitzerland

WHO Chief Warns of Imminent Pandemic Threat

During a recent World Health Organization (WHO) meeting, Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the next pandemic is inevitable and could emerge as soon as tomorrow. This statement reinforces the urgent need for global readiness, as many governments currently prioritize economic and geopolitical issues over pandemic preparedness. Dr. Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of immediately addressing this looming challenge, reminding attendees that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in over 20 million deaths and an estimated economic impact of $10 trillion. The WHO chief called for a legally binding international agreement that would ensure equitable access to resources and capabilities for pandemic response and management. Such an agreement would commit nations to collaborative approaches in safeguarding global health security, respecting national sovereignty while prioritizing collective readiness. He urged United Nations member states to expedite the finalization of this comprehensive framework, highlighting that the lessons learned from COVID-19 must not be ignored as the world braces for future health crises.
CHSwitzerland

WHO Director-General Warns of Inevitable Next Pandemic

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), issued a stark warning on April 10, 2025, stating that the next global pandemic is inevitable, possibly arriving as soon as tomorrow. This proclamation, made during a WHO meeting in Switzerland, highlights the pressing need for nations to prioritize pandemic preparedness in light of past crises, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, which officially claimed 7 million lives and had economic impacts costing $10 trillion. Dr. Ghebreyesus criticized governments for neglecting pandemic threats while they grapple with economic and geopolitical challenges. He stressed that the next outbreak could emerge without warning, regardless of ongoing global issues. To combat future pandemics effectively, Dr. Ghebreyesus advocated for a legally binding international agreement that would ensure collaborative preparedness and equitable access to resources for all countries. He urged United Nations member states to finalize this comprehensive agreement, emphasizing the importance of learning lessons from COVID-19 and enhancing global health security.
CHSwitzerland
All Switzerland News ->