The consumption of fossil resources has reached record levels, threatening the climate, human health, and biodiversity. Air, water, and soil pollution are causing economic and geopolitical risks. Solar fuels represent one of the technological solutions that can facilitate sustainable transitions. This project explores their potential and envisions new forms for their storage and transport.
Opening day on Saturday, 21 June
13:00–13:15 | Welcome by Professor Sophia Haussener from the Laboratory of Science and Engineering of Renewable Energies (LRESE / EPFL), the curator of mudac Scott Longfellow, Lukas Franciszkiewicz, head of the Master in Industrial Design at ZHdK, as well as representatives from Wint Design Lab and Notter + Vigne studios |
13:15–13:45 | Introduction and discussion in English about the Solar Fuels project |
13:45–14:15 | Guided tour with the project participants |
Rethinking the Future Beyond Fossil Fuels
Globally, the consumption of fossil resources (gas, coal, and oil) has reached unprecedented levels. Their combustion for energy production and use, along with their transformation in industries such as the chemical, steel, agrochemical, and cement sectors, contributes to climate change, air, water, and soil pollution, public health issues, loss of biodiversity, and economic and geopolitical risks.
Transitions to a post-fossil era are possible. They require reducing the energy intensity of our everyday lives. This societal and political aspect is necessary but not addressed in this project. Technologically, it depends on decarbonizing the power sector, electrification of energy services, clean fuel generation, and circularity and energy efficiency. With current technologies, certain industries, such as aviation, steelmaking, or cement production, cannot easily operate without energy-dense fuels. On the materials front, petrochemistry, agrochemistry, and steelmaking utilise fossil resources as raw materials. Beyond essential recycling, these alternatives rely on biosourced materials that present ecological challenges.
This project, supported by the Agora programme of the Swiss National Science Foundation, focuses on technologies that could play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution: solar fuels and materials. These provide an alternative to fossil fuels, particularly where electrification is difficult.
Collaborations with a Laboratory at EPFL and the ZHdK in Zurich
The exhibition explores the technologies developed by the LRESE laboratory at EPFL, directed by Sophia Haussener, which create solar fuels and materials directly using the sun’s rays. Simultaneously, the ZHdK Industrial DesignMaster and Research programme led by Lukas Franciszkiewicz together with WINT Design Lab, speculates on the forms and applications of objects that facilitate the storage and transport of hydrogen, the simplest solar fuel and solar material. Were you accustomed to the jerrycan and the gas bottle? We invite you to discover the unique characteristics of this gas, especially its low volumetric energy density, which suggests new forms of storage.
Partical information
Scientific consultant | Sophia Haussener – EPFL STI IGM LRESE |
Speculative objects | Lukas Franciszkiewicz (ZHdK – Master industrial design) & WINT Design Lab (Robin Hoske, Felix Rasehorn) |
Graphic Design | Notter + Vigne |
Project Management | Romain Carré |
Strategic Committee | Lukas Franciszkiewicz, Sophia Haussener, Jolanthe Kugler, Scott Longfellow, Julien Notter, Robin Hoske, Felix Rasehorn |