D-INFK news channel

Monitoring and treating a case of multiple sclerosis requires reliable and long-​term data on how the disease is progressing in the person in question. Fitness trackers and smartphones can supply this data, as a research team led by ETH Zurich has now shown.

Public cloud services employ special security technologies. Professor Shweta Shinde has, together with her Secure & Trustworthy Systems Group, discovered a gap in the latest security mechanisms used by AMD and Intel chips. This affects major cloud providers.  

Three young computer scientists, including D-INFK alumnus Julian Schilliger, have achieved what researchers have been trying to do for 270 years: Using artificial intelligence, they have extracted text fragments from fragile papyri. This has been generously rewarded.

Research News: Professor Christian Holz and his research group have developed a new teleconferencing system called ViGather. The System enables participants across all devices – VR/XR devices and traditional laptops, tablets, or PCs – to participate in immersive 3D meetings as avatars. 

Experts from ETH Zurich including Professor Gunnar Rätsch, the University of Zurich, and the University Hospital Zurich have used machine learning to jointly create an innovative method. This new approach can predict how individual cells react to specific treatments, offering hope for more accurate diagnoses and therapeutics.

With its ability to write text and generate images, artificial intelligence is making inroads into many areas of life. Perceived as threatening, enriching or just plain gimmicky, AI also raises a fundamental question: what is it that makes us human?

The SSRF programme has started! Two months full of research, socialising and getting to know Switzerland lie ahead of our 20 visiting undergraduate and graduate students.

The mTORUS project, funded by The LOOP Zurich, will use AI to explore novel treatments for urinary tract infections. Professor Gunnar Rätsch and Senior Scientist Andre Kahles from the Biomedical Informatics Lab are among the researchers involved.

The Engineering for Humanitarian Action initiative by the ICRC, ETH Zurich and EPFL aims to use innovative technologies to help people in need. One of the projects offering tangible improvements is the secure digial infrastructure project, based on the SCION network technology and involving D-INFK professors Srdjan Capkun and Adrian Perrig.

The Computer Graphics Laboratory, led by Professor Markus Gross, is working with Align Technology to advance the field of digital dentistry.

Cookie consent banners only appear to give users control over their data. Researchers from the Information Security Group have developed a browser extension that uses machine learning to recognise and block unnecessary cookies.

Modelling a human being in detail and in motion is a task that continues to challenge developers. Researchers led by Otmar Hilliges, Professor at the Department of Computer Science, showed how to do this more easily: Instead of modelling every last detail, they use intelligent algorithms that learn to automatically render animated avatars in every conceivable pose by observing 3D images of humans in just a few poses.

When working with neural networks, their training is the single most resource-​demanding and costly process. Two computer scientists from Torsten Hoefler's team have now developed a software that considerably speeds up training. This will be especially relevant for scientific applications of future users of “Alps” at CSCS.

David Dao, a doctoral student in the DS3Lab at the Department of Computer Science, visited the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference and explains what computer science can do to help.

During her visit to ETH Zurich, Defence Minister Viola Amherd sketched a picture of an unstable, unpredictable world to which Swiss security policy must adapt. D-INFK contributes to Swiss cyber security through a number of initiatives and projects, including the secure internet architecture SCION and the Cyber Security Master's programme.

What was the first computer at ETH Zurich? When did ETH students get e-mail accounts? Who founded the Department of Computer Science? From 1947 to 2021, this timeline represents some of the most important events that led to the founding of D-INFK in 1981 and that have influenced its development since, as well as some significant computing and information technology milestones.

For a long time, the development of quantum computers was concerned with theoretical and hardware aspects. But as the focus shifts towards programming, software and security issues, the classical computer sciences are coming back into play.

Researchers from the Applied Cryptography group led by Professor Kenny Paterson collaborated with scientists from Royal Holloway, University of London to identify several cryptographic weaknesses in the popular messaging platform Telegram.

How transparent are decisions that are based on artificial intelligence and machine learning? Professor Andreas Krause, Chair of the ETH AI Center and head of the Learning and Adaptive Systems group, shares his thoughts on trustworthy artificial intelligence.

The future quantum computers should be capable of super-​fast and reliable computation. Researchers at the DS3Lab conduct an early exploration for reliable quantum machine learning.

The programme Karussell, broadcast by SRF on September 6, 1983, presented the novel computer Lilith that had been developed by Professor Niklaus Wirth and his team at ETH Zurich.

Researchers from the Biomedical Informatics Lab at ETH Zurich have participated in an international study to analyse the microbes in the air and on the surfaces of 60 cities, including Zurich. Their findings could help develop new drug therapies and learn more about evolution.

Researchers from the Sensing, Interaction & Perception Lab have developed CapContact, an AI solution that enables touchscreens to sense with eight times higher resolution than currently existing devices.

In 1970, Professor emeritus Niklaus Wirth designed the programming language Pascal. It became one of the most popular teaching languages and shaped programming languages to come.

Forty years ago, ETH Zurich launched its computer science degree programme. However, the history of computer science at ETH began even earlier. Our professor emeritus Carl August Zehnder reveals how he and the other founders of the department fought for their own degree programme.

Styrofoam fascinates with its many possible applications. Complex, curvy shapes, however, are difficult to produce with conventional cutting tools. For this, Simon Dünser puts a robot to work that efficiently and precisely wields a hot wire.

When a person taps with their fingers, each finger generates a different vibration profile propagating to the wrist through bones. Researchers around Professor Christian Holz have now leveraged this discovery in the development of a dual-​sensor wristband that brings intuitive free-​hand interaction to virtual productivity spaces.

A group of scientists is creating a digital twin of our planet to simulate the Earth system in future. Professor Torsten Hoefler from the Institute for High Performance Computing Systems is one of the researchers showing how this can be achieved.

After finding a vulnerability in certain credit cards for the first time last year, three researchers in the Information Security Group at ETH Zurich were now able to outsmart the PIN codes for other payment cards, namely Mastercard and Maestro.

As part of a clinical study involving patients from the University Hospitals in Zurich and Basel, researchers are conducting a thorough and highly precise investigation into the molecular and functional properties of tumours. D-INFK Professor Gunnar Rätsch contributed biomedical informatics expertise to the project.

ETH News takes a look back at 2020 and the highlights that emerged amidst difficult and unsettling times. Among them are exciting ideas and projects from our department.

Dr. Manuel Rigger and Professor Zhendong Su from the Advanced Software Technologies Lab have developed SQLancer, a tool to automatically detect logic errors in database systems.

Mihai Bâce, a doctoral student at the Institute for Intelligent Interactive Systems, has developed with a small group of researchers a system to measure the visual attention paid to a smartphone.

ETH Zurich promotes innovation in AI technology. This includes the extension of its partnership with the Max Planck Society, the launch of the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) and the opening of the ETH AI Center. Professors Thomas Hofmann and Andreas Krause are at the forefront of these efforts.

Valentina Boeva, Professor of Biomedical Informatics at the Department of Computer Science, uses modern methods of machine learning to analyse the whole-​genome sequence of a tumour. One focus of her research is on epigenetic changes in tumour cells. These are temporary and reversible changes in the genome.

How do you calculate the coordinated movements of two robot arms so they can accurately guide a highly flexible tool? Our researchers have integrated all aspects of the optimisation calculations into an algorithm. The hot-​wire cutter will be used, among other things, to develop building blocks for a mortar-​free structure.

Larger amounts can only be debited from credit cards with a PIN code. Three of our researchers have now discovered a flaw in the security system.

In the latest episode of the ETH podcast Professors Julia Vogt and Fanny Yang explain why machine learning is an important tool in medicine.

Professor Markus Gross has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his technical contributions to filmmaking.

A team of researchers around Prof. Martin Vechev has developed Silq, the first high-level programming language for quantum computers.

Doctoral student David Dao (D-​INFK) and postdoctoral researcher Lynn Kaack (D-​GESS) speak on the ETH Podcast about how we can use AI to help in the fight against climate change. 

The pilot phase for the long-​awaited COVID-​19 tracing app developed by ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne has started. Prof. Srdjan Čapkun explains what makes it special. 

The majority of multiple sclerosis patients consider fatigue the single most wearing symptom. And yet, fatigue is still poorly understood. Doctoral student Liliana Barrios wants to change that by introducing smartphone-based methods enabling patients to measure their motor fatigability remotely and more frequently.

The internet has changed our lives in positive ways, but it also has its risks. Adrian Perrig and his team are set on creating an Internet where society would regain more control.

ETH Zurich is one of four selected universities around the world to establish adaptive compute research clusters with teams from Xilinx, a company that develops highly flexible and adaptive processing platforms to enable rapid innovation across a variety of technologies.

Prof. Srdjan Capkun and his ‘Snappy’ team have developed a system that speeds up cryptocurrency transactions: a secure, practical and fast, like a snap of the fingers, solution.

Communicating with photorealistic avatars: Prof. Markus Gross, an expert in the field of visual data processing, explains how telepresence could improve teleconferencing in the near future.

To better track the coronavirus in Switzerland, biomedical informatics specialists from ETH Zurich and the canton of Bern have combined their online questionnaires on the shared platform covidtracker.ch.

Katja Wolff, a doctoral student at the Interactive Geometry Lab, has developed an algorithm that aligns textile patterns along seams.

An interdisciplinary team of scientists from ETH Zurich have organised an “epidemic datathon” to develop new prediction models for the spread of the virus.

The research group of Prof. Gunnar Rätsch wants to track the spread of coronavirus in Switzerland using a short questionnaire. Every person currently living in Switzerland can participate.

In this interview, pioneer fellow Mohsen Ewaida (group Prof. Alonso) speaks about his first software product "SnowBell", using Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices to run machine-learning applications.

Prof. Gunnar Rätsch co-led the effort to develop a method to predict circulatory failure in patients in intensive care using machine learning.

Die genetischen Ursachen von Krebs sind noch vielfältiger als bisher wissenschaftlich belegt, sagt Prof. Gunnar Rätsch sowie Forschende der ETH Zürich und des Universitätspitals im Rahmen des Pan-​Cancer-Projekts.

Doctoral student David Dao develops intelligent algorithms that use satellite and drone images of rainforests to predict deforestation. Today, he will be presenting his research at the climate conference in Madrid.

ETH computer scientists Debopam Bhattacherjee and Prof. Ankit Singla are proposing a novel network design that could double the network capacity of “Internet from space” systems.

Join doctoral student Oliver Glauser from the Interactive Geometry Lab in this video as he introduces a data glove which can capture accurate hand motions in real time.

Two research groups from ETH Zurich have developed a method that can simulate nanoelectronics devices and their properties realistically, quickly, and efficiently. This offers a ray of hope for the industry and data centre operators alike, both of which are struggling with the (over)heating that comes with increasingly small and powerful transistors - and with the high resulting electricity costs for cooling.

A team of physicists and computer scientists at ETH Zurich have programmed computers to teach themselves how to extract relevant information from maps of the universe.

Viruses, crime, and many other problems spread through networks. ETH researchers have now developed a new method of protecting them cost-effectively.

Computational thinking and programming skills are likely to become even more essential in the future. Dr Stéphane Magnenat and the Game Technology Center team at ETH Zurich are working on new ways to teach programming to children and make the experience enriching, creative and playful.

ETH doctoral students of computer science show how linking two popular technologies can have highly problematic consequences for web services.

Professor Gunnar Rätsch played a major part in creating the biggest public database for anonymised information on two important breast cancer genes. The database helps to improve the treatment of patients.

Producing realistic animated film figures is a highly complex technical endeavour. ETH researchers have now shown how drones can be used to greatly reduce the effort required in the process.

Christian Schüller from the Interactive Geometry Lab has developed a method of designing patterns to assemble 3D objects with only a flat piece of fabric and a zipper.

Scientists from ETH Zurich and EPFL have developed an ultra-light glove – weighing less than 8 grams – that enables users to feel and manipulate virtual objects. Their system provides extremely realistic haptic feedback and could run on a battery, allowing for unparalleled freedom of movement.

Researchers in the Information Security Group subjected the upcoming 5G mobile communication standard to a comprehensive security analysis. Their conclusion: data protection is improved in comparison with the previous standards 3G and 4G. However, security gaps are still present.

Debopam Bhattacherjee and Professor Ankit Singla explore the design of an internet that operates at the speed of light.

When scientists at ETH Zurich, led by Professor Gunnar Rätsch, analysed huge amounts of genetic cancer data, they found previously unresearched molecular changes. These could help in developing new personalised cancer treatments.

Would you consider connecting to your bank account in an internet café? Too risky? ETH researcher Aritra Dhar explains how to make sure that the message you send is the message received, even in a hostile environment.

ETH computer graphics specialists have analysed cloud formation and air flow in high resolution weather situations and visualised a high resolution weather situation in 3D. The aviation industry and meteorologists may be able to benefit from this visualisation method in the future.

As part of today’s Digitaltag event, 180 children are visiting ETH Zurich to attend a programming workshop organised by the Centre for Computer Science Education. ETH professor Juraj Hromkovic explains why good computer science education is so important for young people and what is currently going wrong in schools.

ETH Professor and computer scientist Joachim Buhmann works intensively on healthcare issues. In an interview with ETH News, he explains how computer models will make their way into the world of medicine, and talks about models that are so complicated that humans can no longer process them alone.

Researchers from ETH Zurich and Disney Research have developed a software that makes it easier to animate characters in the entertainment industry. In the future, the software could also allow inexperienced users to design compelling motion cycles.

Filming of spectacular action scenes is expensive and the creative possibilities are often limited. A D-INFK doctoral student has developed an algorithm that allows drones to implement the desired picture compositions independently.

In May 2007, Dybuster sent its first 23 software packages in the post. A decade later, this spin-off has helped over 100,000 users with dyslexia and dyscalculia.

Genomics, digital patient files and real-​time health surveillance – never before have we had access to so much health data. Three ETH researchers, including Professor Gunnar Rätsch, explain how they extract relevant information from this sea of data and the potential benefits for personalised medicine.

Prof. Marc Snir says that systems with exascale performance are likely to be deployed in 2020-​2023. He is involved in several efforts to define the software research agenda for exascale and start executing on it. In his opinion, exascale may be the end of the road, at least for a system using silicon technology. Prof. Hoefler is asking Prof. Snir about his views on high-​performance computing in the next decade. 

Big data, artificial intelligence, industry 4.0 – the new opportunities information technologies offer will change the world. Take a glimpse inside the world of researchers who teach machines how to think.

Researchers at ETH Zurich and Disney Research Zurich have developed a new technique called Computational Thermoforming. It enables them to manufacture plastic replicas of digital 3D models, in which the shape and colour are reproduced in detail. This technique extends the range of digital fabrication methods and represents an efficient and cost-​effective alternative to colour 3D printing.

Researchers at ETH Zurich, Disney Research Zurich, and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a software tool that empowers average users to design custom robotic creatures and their movements.

In recognition of his significant contributions to cryptography and information security, Professor Ueli Maurer has been named ACM Fellow. Professor Maurer is also the winner of the prestigious 2016 RSA Award for Excellence in the Field of Mathematics for his work and results in information theoretic-​based cryptography. Many congratulations!

Computer scientists and roboticists at ETH Zurich have developed a robotic walker that makes senior citizens more mobile. Now SmartWalker is waiting for an industrial partner to come along and help get the technology ready for mass production.

Lorenz Meier, a doctoral student in computer science at ETH Zurich, created the PX4 software that is already being used to pilot many drones. Now, one of the world’s biggest electronics manufacturers has adopted the software as standard.

Computer scientists working in a group led by ETH Professor Marc Pollefeys have developed a piece of software that makes it very easy to create 3D models of entire buildings. Running on a new type of tablet computer, the program generates 3D maps in real time.

Riding the Polybahn from Central up to ETH Zurich with Ueli Maurer: the computer science professor and head of ETH Zurich’s Institute of Theoretical Computer Science tells us in a new Polybahn Pitch what he’s doing to contribute to internet security.

Professor emeritus Carl August Zehnder recounts the early history of computer science in Switzerland that lead first to the creation of a computer science curriculum and finally to the founding of the Department of Computer Science in 1981. (German)

'Reaching for the stars' has become a down-​to-earth endeavor: data-​driven, information-​rich and fast-​paced results in information technology are at the very heart of astronomy. Data-​based science is becoming recognized as a stand-​alone research area - ranking with theory and experimentation. Astroinformatics is a new discipline emerging at the intersection of astronomy/astrophysics, applied computer science and advanced statistics.

The internet has provided people with unprecedented access to information, transforming network and information access into a quasi public good. Societies increasingly rely on the internet, making it a key pillar of public life in modern societies. Given its importance, a key question is how to improve the internet to achieve a level of reliability that is commensurate with its importance.

Professor Otmar Hilliges and his staff at ETH Zurich have developed a new app enabling users to operate their smartphone with gestures. This development expands the range of potential interactions with such devices.

At first glance, the internet seems to work reliably. A closer inspection, however, reveals some serious flaws, including large-​scale breakdowns and unwelcome data redirections. Computer science professor Adrian Perrig now proposes a new internal architecture to remedy these discrepancies.

Manipulating 3-​dimensional animated characters on a 2D screen is challenging and requires years of training. ETH researchers now make animation artists’ life a little easier with a new input device they can assemble into a shape similar to the virtual character.

Software reliability, piracy and tampering are serious and well known threats the world is faced with. Significant attempts have been made to protect software from reverse engineering and tampering. Last week, the Software Reliability Lab at ETH Zurich, headed by Prof. Martin Vechev, released a system called JSNice which makes obfuscated and minified JavaScript code readable again. The system has already been used by more than 34,000 developers in over 140 countries.

Nowadays, evaluating large amounts of data enables us to examine issues for which there were still no viable theories until only recently. Two ETH computer science-​professors, Joachim M. Buhmann and Donald Kossmann, explain how this will change society.

Data is treasure: new worlds open up to organisations that understand how to scoop useful information out of unstructured data. At the President of ETH Zurich’s "Lokaltermin", researchers and business representatives revealed how data could serve a broad public in future.

Researchers from ETH Zurich's Computer Vision and Geometry Group transformed a smartphone into a portable digital scanner. In the form of an app, the 3D mobile technology allows users to snap pictures on the fly and scan objects, from a statue to a piece of furniture, or even a person. It also enables scanning in outdoor environments to model arbitrary objects or scenes.

President of the Swiss Confederation, Ueli Maurer, is currently testing a crypto phone. ETH News talked to his namesake, ETH professor and cryptography expert Ueli Maurer, about secure IT, the NSA and the threat of a cyberwar.

3D shapes are an inherent part of our culture. Almost everyone knows animated movies such as “Shrek”, “Toy Story” or “Despicable Me”. But who has ever created such an animated 3D figure? Only a very limited number of people have ever tried their luck at 3D geometric modeling. In her ERC Starting Grant project “Intelligent Shape Modeling”, Prof. Olga Sorkine intends to simplify the processes of 3D modeling, thus making it accessible to the general public.

On 8 September, the most important international conference on ubiquitous and pervasive computing will kick off at ETH Zurich: Ubicomp 2013. In an interview with ETH Life, Professor Friedemann Mattern explains how pervasive this area of IT and computer technology has become. The computer scientist has been instrumental in realising the visions that took shape 20 years ago and that have now become reality.

Hackers claimed last year to have a total of 12 million numbers for iPhone, iPad and iPod devices, along with some other phone numbers and personal data on their owners. During the London 2012 Olympic Games the IT network was hit by cyber attacks every day.