"KPMG’s Inspiration Grant" provide funding of CHF 100,000 each to research projects in order to help them reach another stage of development on their path toward marketability. Projects are selected by the ETH Zurich and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), which ensures both the scientific nature of the projects and sustainable use of the grant funds.

So far the following projects have been distinguished with a grant:

"Easing the strain on urban traffic by means of flexible, individual electronic mobility" project

An innovative project at ETH Zurich aims to ease the strain on urban centers and sustainably protect the environment by using electronically operated transport devices called "e-bikes". "Broad-based use of e-bikes will greatly relieve the strain on city traffic and have a positive impact on the quality of life of the urban population. The aim is to minimize CO2 emissions and prevent traffic jams. This multidisciplinary project is a unique combination of hardware development, urban planning and ICT system development," sums up Marc Ziegler, Sector Coordinator Transportation & Business Services at KPMG Switzerland.

This award-winning project team consists of: Moritz Meenen, Oec.eng. KIT, and Niels Lehmann, MSc ETH Arch., both research assistants at the Autonomous Systems Lab of ETH Zurich.

"Early Recognition of Malfunctions in Joint Prostheses" project

The Institute for Biomechanics of ETH Zurich is working on a technology that uses an early warning system to considerably boost the quality of life of patients with joint prostheses. A sensor at the prosthesis’ point of contact records changes in the artificial joint’s positioning. According to Bryan DeBlanc, Sector Coordinator Diversified Industrials at KPMG Switzerland, "there is great hope that research in the area of joint prostheses can set a milestone with regard to the early recognition of any abnormalities. Not only that, but this technology lets prosthesis patients enjoy life a bit more." The new technology also helps conserve resources and lower healthcare costs.

This award-winning project team consists of: PD Dr. Jörg Goldhahn, Head of the "Biomechanics of Aging" group at the Institute for Biomechanics of ETH Zurich, and Zach Lerner, a mechanical engineering student at Northern Arizona University, USA..

"Endoscope for Neurosurgery" project

This project is being undertaken by EPFL’s Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Polymers and Membranes which aims to catapult neurosurgery into a new realm: Their goal is to develop a new technology for performing surgical procedures that uses light as a tool. This new technology could make a vital contribution toward treating injuries previously considered to be incurable such as paraplegia. Michael Herzog, Sector Coordinator for Healthcare at KPMG Switzerland, summed up the expectations saying that “the ‘Endoscope for Neurosurgery’ project embodies the hope that some day in the future, medicine might work on individual cells rather than tissue. In the long term, this could turn an old dream into reality: the ability to repair injured nerve cells in central or peripheral nerve cords.”

This award-winning project team consists of: Dr. Davor Kosanic and Prof. Horst Vogel, both researchers at EPFL’s Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Polymers and Membranes.

"Hybrid Pneumatic Engine" project

The Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control (IDSC) at the ETH Zurich is working on developing a pneumatic hybrid technology for vehicle engines that will reduce global CO2 emissions. “The Hybrid Pneumatic Engine is a cost-effective alternative to electric and hydrogen motors that are hardly capable of satisfying sharply rising mobility requirements in growth markets such as India and China,” says Roger Neininger, Head of Audit and Sector Coordinator Automotive at KPMG Switzerland. “This Swiss technology for reducing global CO2 emissions could provide an intelligent complement to electric car concepts.”

The award-winning project team is made up of: Prof. Lino Guzzella, full professor in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at the ETH Zurich; Dr. Christopher Onder, senior scientist and lecturer from the IDSC at the ETH Zurich; Dr. Christian Dönitz and Christoph Voser.

"Microfluidics" project

Microfluidics (microscale fluidic elements) should make it possible to increase substantially the efficiency and affordability of previously complex, costly diagnoses. Erik Willems, Partner and Sector Coordinator Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals at KPMG Switzerland, is convinced that “this technology constitutes a fundamental breakthrough in the way researchers interact with the world of biology in the future. It can be implemented in a host of potential applications, including instruments capable of quickly identifying the contents of a large number of cells.”

This award-winning project team from the EPFL consists of: Nicolas Durand, doctoral student; Dr. Iwan Märki, scientist specializing in biomedical optics; Prof. Theo Lasser, full professor at the Laboratoire d’optique biomédicale and Prof. Philippe Renaud, full professor at the Laboratory of Microsystems 4.