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SUMMARY:Inaugural lecture: With materials innovations into a sustainable f
 uture
DTSTART:20240305T171500
DTEND:20240305T180000
DTSTAMP:20260524T115151Z
UID:0934447ae2f9b623b6b63f1f162a975c8dd3e119c4c0dc1b910eadeb
CATEGORIES:Inaugural lectures - Honorary Lecture
DESCRIPTION:Prof. Tanja Zimmermann\nThe transition from fundamental resear
 ch to practical applications of novel materials holds significant promise 
 in addressing pressing societal challenges\, including resource depletion\
 , elevated atmospheric CO2 levels\, and resultant climate change. This lec
 ture provides a comprehensive overview of advancements in cellulose-based 
 materials\, offering sustainable alternatives in composite applications. I
 t will discuss how we could evolve from a linear consumption of raw materi
 als to closed loops with this bio-based source and subsequent technologies
 .\nWhile the development of eco-friendly materials and closed-loop systems
  is imperative\, it alone falls short of addressing the broader challenge 
 of global warming. A more expansive vision is essential. To counteract ris
 ing temperatures and mitigate greenhouse gas concentrations\, negative emi
 ssion technologies become imperative. Introducing the "Mining the Atmosphe
 re" initiative\, this proposal envisions utilizing CO2 as a primary raw ma
 terial. The initiative aims to reverse anthropogenic carbon flow by extrac
 ting CO2 from diverse sources\, especially the atmosphere\, transforming i
 t into e.g. solid carbon\, developing innovative carbon-based materials\, 
 and establishing new carbon sinks. This holistic approach seeks to make a 
 substantial impact in combating climate change and moving a sustainable pa
 th forward.\nBio: Tanja Zimmermann has a Master in Wood Science and Techno
 logy from the University of Hamburg and a Master of Advanced Studies in Se
 condary and Higher education from ETH Zürich. She received her PhD from t
 he University of Hamburg in 2007. Tanja Zimmermann built up the cellulose 
 nanocomposites research topic at Empa as group leader and later on as head
  of the laboratory "Applied Wood Materials". She became a member of the Di
 rectorate of Empa in 2017\, leading the department "Functional Materials" 
 as well as the research focus area of "Sustainable Construction" dealing w
 ith different materials such as e.g. concrete and asphalt\, wood\, ceramic
 s\, advanced polymer fibers\, or energy materials and components. Importan
 t for her are topics such as circular economy or resource efficiency and s
 trategies to achieve NetZero goals. Tanja Zimmermann is a member of variou
 s national and international committees and scientific advisory boards. Sh
 e is since June 2022 Director of Empa and Professor for Materials Science 
 at ETH Zurich and EPF Lausanne.\n\n 
LOCATION:BM 5202 https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==BM%205202 https://epfl.zoom.u
 s/j/68628948868
STATUS:CONFIRMED
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