Supporting students is a fulfilling task
ETH Zurich runs like a red thread through Paolo Ermanni's life. He first studied mechanical engineering here before returning as a professor in 1998. In this interview, he looks back on 26 eventful years in teaching and research.
The development of new composite materials for aviation has been a theme throughout your research - from your doctoral thesis in 1990 to your current focus project NOCTUA. What fascinates you about it?
The opportunity of improving the performance and efficiency of technical systems using innovative materials and structures! This is particularly important in aerospace, a field which has fascinated me since childhood. But it's not limited to that! For example, structural concepts derived from the aerospace industry have inspired us to develop highly adaptable and durable heart valves. Overall, the potential of lightweight construction technologies to conserve natural resources and reduce the energy consumption of technical systems – be it airplanes, cars or trains – is still not fully realized. There is a significant demand for research in this area.
You were a professor at D-MAVT for 26 years and previously a mechanical engineering student at ETH Zurich. Did your own experience as a student help you to shape your teaching?
The great commitment of the lecturers and the high value placed on teaching are indeed a lasting constant for me. This dedication and approach have always been important to me in my own work at ETH Zurich as well.
We have developed a comprehensive range of courses in lightweight construction, structural mechanics, and structural technologies, bridging the gap between teaching, research and collaboration with industry. We have supervised well over 1000 student projects - from semester projects to Bachelor's and Master's theses - at our lab. The creativity, diligence and enthusiasm of the students have been and continue to be the driving force behind our research and have enabled us to materialize and test amazing concepts and innovative structures.
Over the years, our lab has actively supported major student initiatives such as the Academic Motorsport Club Zurich (AMZ) and the Academic Space Initiative Switzerland (ARIS) and has initiated and conducted several focus projects in the aerospace field.
What were the biggest challenges in supporting students and doctoral students? And what were the greatest successes?
The rapid growth of our research group posed a significant challenge. We were simultaneously engaged in numerous research and industrial projects. At times, I found myself supervising more than 20 doctoral students and up to 30 undergraduates working on their theses in the lab.
Supporting top students is a fulfilling task but is also comes with challenges! It wasn't always easy to meet their high expectations and their concentrated intellectual energy and dynamism.
With hindsight, there are things I might do differently today. However, I believe that overall, we did a good job as a team, maintaining a consistent and focused approach to teaching and research over the years. This is demonstrated, among other things, by the fact that several students and doctoral students have been awarded ETH medals for their work. Many former doctoral students and postdocs have gone on to successful careers in academia, while others have founded start-ups or taken on leadership positions in industry or management consultancy.
You were Vice-Rector for Continuing Education for seven years. Why is continuing education important?
It was truly an honor to serve as Vice Rector for Continuing Education from 2015 to 2022! During this time, we successfully implemented many strategic elements of continuing education, including the establishment of the School for Continuing Education. Continuing Education plays a crucial role in fostering the relationship between ETH Zurich and its stakeholders. The broad range of continuing education programs leverages ETH's exceptional research expertise and provides immediately applicable knowledge and expertise to participants - and thereby benefiting companies and society at large.
After completing your doctorate, you initially worked for the aircraft division of Daimler Chrysler and as a consultant for a consulting firm. In 1998, you joined ETH as an associate professor. What drew you back?
After completing my doctorate in 1990, I didn't think about an academic career. In fact, quite the opposite. My plan was to combine my knowledge and experience from research with a career in industry. Following my studies and doctorate at ETH, I felt well-equipped and had several options on the table to consider. At the time, a position as a technical manager in pre-development at Airbus in Hamburg appeared to be an excellent opportunity to apply my expertise within an industrial environment. Transitioning to management consultancy at Kearney in Milan a few years later was the next logical step for me. Here, I found myself in the privileged position of getting to know and contributing to shape strategic decision-making processes in major companies.
Then, in August 1997, I received a call from Zurich. I was approached to present myself for an advertised professorship at ETH. From that moment on, everything unfolded very rapidly, and I have never regretted my decision to return to ETH as a professor for a second.
What moment from your time as a professor at D-MAVT will stay with you forever?
There are countless memorable moments! If I have to narrow it down, then the sense of belonging I felt after my introductory lecture in 1999 is definitely one of them. Or the joy of winning the rowing competition in 2004 with the poly-eight against eight German technical universities on the Olympic Lake in Munich - and the countless morning trips and numerous university poly-participations on the Limmat. Or the pride I felt after the maiden flight of our demonstration aircraft with form-adaptive wings on a sunny day in December 2014. This marked the culmination of a long-term interdisciplinary ETH research project involving four chairs and four doctoral students. Lastly, I will also always remember the happiness and relaxation of the numerous ski weekends spent with my research group in Switzerland and Austria.
Overall, when I look back on my 26 years at ETH, I am filled with feelings of gratitude and fulfillment.
What will you miss most after your retirement?
The coolness of this fantastic institution! The creative environment, the positive atmosphere, the many projects and the exchange with colleagues, students and doctoral students. In short: everything!
What are your next plans?
Over the past 25 years, six start-ups have originated from my chair. The most recent one is external pageAntefil Composite Tech, founded in 2022 together with two doctoral students. The ETH Spark Award 2021, awarded for the development of a novel process to produce sustainable composite materials, served as the start for this company. Since then, we have made great progress and have ambitious plans for the future. Starting in August, I will be transitioning to a full-time role as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Antefil.
What should not be missing from your desk in the future?
Good speakers for classical music, the NZZ as an e-paper, a good cup of tea and, of course, new, exciting projects.
About
Professor Paolo Ermanni (64)
Professor of Composites and Adaptive Structures
Laboratory for Composites and Adaptive Structures
At D-MAVT from 1998-2024