The Swiss CAT+ Project
Swiss CAT+ (Catalysis Hub) is a national technology platform funded by the ETH Domain and jointly led by Switzerland’s two federal institutes of technology, ETHZ and EPFL. We provide AI-driven, automated, and high-throughput experimentation services to accelerate research and development in catalysis.
Launched in 2021 with total funding of
CHF 33 million from the ETH Domain, the project is organized into twocomplementary hubs:
- Swiss CAT+ East (ETH Zürich)
dedicated to heterogeneous catalysis - Swiss CAT+ West (EPFL)
focused on homogeneous catalysis
Each hub is equipped with state-of-the-art robotics and instrumentation that enable parallelized synthesis, characterization, and testing workflows. Our labs are fully digitized and operate in a closed-loop data-driven fashion, where machine learning design and optimize experiments.
SwissCAT+ is open to the global scientific community. Researchers from universities, ETH-domain institutions, and industry can request services to advance their catalysis projects.
The Swiss CAT+ East Hub
Based at ETH Zürich, Swiss CAT+ East specializes in heterogeneous catalyst R&D. We provide users with access to advanced facilities, expert support, and data workflows for ML-driven, automated, and high-throughput synthesis, characterization, and testing of solid catalysts, and beyond.
For more information about our services, instrumentation, or access procedures, please visit the Services & Facilities page or contact us directly.
Governance & Structure
- Funding & oversight
The ETH Domain (ETH-RAT) funds both hubs and ensures balanced distribution of resources. - Leadership
Swiss CAT+ East reports to the ETH Zürich Vice President of Research, and SwissCAT+ West to the EPFL Vice President of Academic Affairs. - Steering Board
The executive directors of both hubs, together with an equal number of ETHZ and EPFL PIs, guide the scientific direction. - Advisory Board
International experts provide strategic input and ensure scientific excellence. - User Assembly
Once per year, all users meet to review achievements, propose new tools, and discuss improvements.
As of March 2022, the Steering Committee includes Prof. Christophe Copéret (ETHZ), external page Prof. Nicolai Cramer (EPFL), external page Dr. Paco Laveille (Director, Swiss CAT+ East), and external page Dr. Pascal Miéville (Director, Swiss CAT+ West).
The Advisory Board brings together distinguished scientists and industrial leaders in catalysis from Europe and beyond.
Location and Contact
HCI
Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5 / 108093 Zürich
Labs:
HCI G120, G226/228, H241 (Hönggerberg Campus)
Contact
Catalysis Hub
Leopold-Ruzicka-Weg 4
8093
Zürich
Switzerland