ENAC semester project

An ENAC semester project (4 ECTS) can be carried out during the first three semesters of the Master cycle. This course allows students to apply and consolidate their theoretical knowledge to plan and realize interdisciplinary research projects.

Students can choose between different interdisciplinary topics offered by ENAC teachers. Students have also the possibility to develop their own project ideas and have access to SKIL, a workshop environment permitting the realization of hands-on projects. Students may also choose to participate in a MAKE project for their ENAC semester project.

Students can choose to follow either an ENAC Semester Project or an ENAC Summer Workshop and integrate it into their study plan as follows:

  • Master in Civil Engineering: among the branches of Block 2
  • Master in Environmental Science and Engineering: from the range of options not included in a specialization
  • Master in Architecture: as an optional branch

In the ENAC Semester Project, the aim is that students do not only perform an interdisciplinary project, but are also are equipped with the tools to design an interdisciplinary project themselves. Student use the interdisciplinary bridges by conducting autonomously an interdisciplinary research project. The expected transversal and interdisciplinary learning outcomes of the ENAC Semester Projects are:

Practical intelligence Plan and carry out an interdisciplinary project independently; fix objectives, manage and monitor progress of work; present, discuss and communicate research results to different disciplines.
Creative intelligence Explore research questions in a wider context; develop risky hypotheses; design and defend coherent and innovative solutions.
Analytical intelligence Identify and structure the problem in a systemic way; analyze the complexity of the system; synthetize information; critically evaluate solutions and results; apply interdisciplinary knowledge to new problems or themes.
Reflective intelligence Be aware of the challenges of interdisciplinary work and develop solutions to deal with them; reflect on the relevance of different approaches and integrate tools from multiple disciplines; be aware of the social and human implications of engineers/architects; take responsibility for the environmental impacts of one’s actions and decisions; anticipate and adapt to unforeseen challenges in a project.

Students can work on an ENAC semester project individually or in groups with peers from one or more ENAC sections. ENAC semester projects can contribute to meeting mandatory requirements of the sections. Students obtain four credits for the successful completion of an ENAC semester project. In the context of the ENAC semester projects, students may also be supervised by a teacher from another EPFL school. In this case, an agreement has to be made between the respective sections.

Students choose the topic they are interested in from a list of projects provided by the teachers for the respective semester or submit their own ideas to potential supervisors. In any case, the students have to meet their teachers before the beginning of the semester (at semester start, at latest) to receive a confirmation for the supervision.

In addition to the projects below, the projects MAKE Réemploi et Low Tech en zone urbaine, Carbon Removal, Agrifood, Genorobotics, Sailowtech, and Swiss Solar Boat can also be chosen, in which case the students can contact the project coordinator for more information.

Projet

Principal teacher I (validates project) Principal teacher II
Using the data from wearable eye tracking devices to predict discomfort glare from the sun behind colored glazing Andersen Marilyne Wienold Jan
Hands-on sustainability projects in the SKIL Cotture Samuel  
Hands-on sustainability projects in the SKIL Cotture Samuel  
Low tech project with rebuiLT Cotture Samuel  
Low tech project with rebuiLT: thermoelectric stove Cotture Samuel  
Low tech project: Phytoépuration Cotture Samuel  
3D Modelling of water and heat flow at microscale based on High resolution X-ray computed tomography De Cesare Giovanni Turberg Pascal
Critical LCA of massive-stone construction Fivet Corentin Küpfer Célia Marine
De-construction for re-use in reinforced concrete – Planning and static verification Fivet Corentin  
Flows of concrete waste Fivet Corentin Küpfer Célia Marine
Energetic modelization of the RebuiLT Pavilion Khovalyg Dolaana Fivet Corentin
Investigating optimal pricing schemes for balancing the charging demand of electric ride-hailing vehicles Maljkovic Marko Geroliminis Nikolaos
Galerie de protection contre les avalanches (RC 13 Täsch – Zermatt) Muttoni Aurelio  
Galerie de protection contre les avalanches (RC 13 Täsch – Zermatt) Muttoni Aurelio  
Passerelle de mobilité douce du Barrage de Schiffenen Muttoni Aurelio Dreier Damien
Telescope protective cupola design & prototype Nussbaumer Alain Vassilopoulos Anastasios
Cohabiter le quartier : Entre genres et générations, enquête ethnographique et architecture participative Pattaroni Luca Delley Lucien
La ville appropriée : ressources spatiales pour une ville vivante et hospitalière Pattaroni Luca Del Puppo Fiona
Nouvelle culture des espaces urbains : enquête sur le parc de la pointe de la Jonction à Genève Pattaroni Luca Delley Lucien
Conception et/ou gestion d’un parc de logements ou de bureaux dans une optique de réduction des m2 par personne Thalmann Philippe  
ENAC semester projects on sustainability issues, proposed by Lab of environmental and urban economics Thalmann Philippe  
3D microstructural analysis of a material of your choice Turberg Pascal  
Application of high resolution X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) to the analysis of tree rings patterns in dendrochronological and forest ecosystem studies Turberg Pascal Grossiord Charlotte
High-resolution CT quantification of wood lignification Turberg Pascal Grossiord Charlotte
Performances of contrasting agents for studying water transfer in vascular plants by high resolution X-ray computed tomography Turberg Pascal Grossiord Charlotte
Micro-CT based bioinspired structure for composites Vassilopoulos Anastasios Turberg Pascal
Exploring water quality in a highly agricultural catchment von Freyberg Jana Bujak Izabela
RebuilT 1 – Construction Zurbrügg Peter Fivet Corentin
Réhabilitation immeubles de logement anciens Zurbrügg Peter