Welcome to The Ingenuity Lab - we invent the diagnostics and therapies of the future.
- Prof. Inge K. Herrmann
Innovating the Technologies for Medicine of the Future
About us
At the Ingenuity Lab, we design and develop conceptionally novel solutions for precision medicine based on an interdisciplinary design-thinking approach. The lab leverages materials engineering, cutting-edge analytics and simulations to obtain a holistic understanding of the interplay of engineered materials with the living across scales, enabling data-driven materials and device designs, which offer a direct route to unparalleled diagnostic and therapeutic performance.
We are committed to conducting research that is not only intellectually stimulating but also has real-world implications. We believe that the best way to achieve this is by bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise. Our team is based at the Balgrist Campus, the Balgrist University Hospital, the University of Zurich (Chemistry), the ETH and Empa and is composed of individuals from different backgrounds and disciplines, who work together to tackle complex problems and find innovative solutions. We are passionate about what we do and are always looking for new challenges to take on.
Our Activities
Research
Working together to push the boundaries, make the impossible possible and explore new horizons at the interface of materials, engineering and medicine.
Teaching
We teach the next generation to become future leaders. Sign up for our highly popular Medical Technology Innovation Course at ETH (D-MAVT)/UZH, or join our lab for a thesis project.
Tech Transfer & Outreach
We translate technologies and engage in a stimulating diaglogue with society. Find out more about our AI & Art Collaborations with the ETH AI Center.
Highlighted Projects
PreXison
Nanoparticle-based radioenhancers that make radio- and proton therapy more effective.
W-Health
Women's health projects on bladder pain syndrom, endometriosis, early cancer detection, peritoneal metastases treatment, etc
ContrastX
Next generation contrast and imaging agents for correlative imaging, cathodoluminescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic particle imaging, ultrasound, optoacoustics, and NIR etc.
Mineralomics
Unravelling the mechanisms of soft tissue calcification in placenta, the cardiovascular system, and muscles, tendons, connective tissue.
Inorganic Antibiotics
Inorganic nanomaterials based wound healing and antimicrobial agents and coatings.
We hosted the IWMPI Magnetic Particle Imaging Conference
We hosted and chaired the International Workshop on Magnetic Particle Imaging (IWMPI) in Switzerland / Flüeli-Ranft this year (March 13-15, 2024), in the beautiful Jugenstil Hotel Pax Montana with 100+ participants.
Couldn't imagine a better place to have done my thesis!
- M.
Key Innovations from the Lab
- Magnetic Blood Purification - for the treatment of sepsis (now translated by Hemotune - first in man 2024)
- AnastoSeal - first-of-its-kind surgical sealant and ultrasound-based detection of complications deep inside the body (now translated by Veltist)
- SensAL - naked-eye sensor for the detection of post-operative complications
- NanoGlue - Nanoparticle-based tissue glue actively supporting the different phases of wound healing and countering wound infections (now translated by Anavo Medical)
- PreXision - radiocatalytically active inorganic oxide nanoparticles for radio- and proton therapy augmentation
- iSoldering - intelligent laser tissue soldering enabling seamless tissue fusion in open as well as endoscopic/robotic surgery
- MenstruAI - non-invasive health monitoring based on menstruation blood (now translated by MenstruAI)
- EndoStop - First-of-its-kind endometriosis treatment
Connect With Us
Have a question or want to collaborate? Fill out the contact form below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.