Research fields in Switzerland

Biotechnology
Switzerland's well-established and world-renowned life sciences companies, combined with the strength of its universities and technical institutes, have helped to build an innovative and dynamic biotechnology industry.The number of biotechnology firms in the country has more than doubled since 1997, and Switzerland boasts the world’s highest per capita biotech density. Today, Switzerland has the sixth largest biotech market in Europe. Companies in the industry range from leading multinationals to innovative university start-ups, and the industry is well diversified, with firms conducting R&D activities in all areas of the life sciences.

Nanotechnology
Switzerland has been at the forefront of the nanotechnology development curve, contributing enormously to the field through inventions such as the Atomic Force Microscope, the Scanning Tunneling Microscope and many other groundbreaking discoveries. Today, nanotechnology is one of Switzerland's model industries. The excellent education and the high level of cooperation between the private sector, academic institutions, investors and authorities attracts researchers and nanoscience companies from all over the world.

Microtechnology
The development of microtechnology in Switzerland was a result of the economic crisis in the watch industry. Beside the classical watch micromechanics, new technologies like electronics, optics, computer technology and microsystems were used in watch construction. Today, microtechnology is one of the key technologies of the 21st century and one of the key sectors in Switzerland's economy.

Chemistry
Chemistry is one of Switzerland's model industries. The excellent education and the high level of cooperation between the private sector, academic institutions, investors and authorities attracts researchers and companies from all over the world.

Computer science
Switzerland has been one of the leading countries in computer applications for a long time. Niklaus Wirth, one of the most brillant scientists of the early computer age and designer of several computer languages like Pascal, Modula or Oberon, is Swiss and has influenced remarkably the development of computer science in Switzerland. Nowadays, many IT applications are an important part of Switzerland's key industries (e.g. banks,insurances, telecommunication, power systems, chemistry, watches, transportation, tourism etc.).

Climate research
Switzerland has been at the forefront of climate research. This year’s Nobel Peace Prize goes to Al Gore and all the members of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Among those honoured are a number of Swiss scientists. Switzerland has decided to strengthen its leading position in climate research through several research initiatives and programs.

Financial research
Switzerland is one of the banking capitals of the world. Switzerland’s roots as a revered banking center go as far back as the 17th century. But Switzerland is not only well-known for its banks, but also for financial research. Universities as well as banks and private institutes conduct high-level research in financial research.

Renewable energies
Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard plans to fly around the world in a solar-powered airplane in 2011. The Swiss Federal Institute for Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) is among those involved in the project. Read on to learn about the tricky issues to be solved before the Solarimpulse can take off, and what Piccard aims to achieve with his adventure.


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