Student Projects

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Part-time Job at a MedTech Startup: Implementation of Wheelchair Durability Testing Infrastructure

Versive, an ETH Spinoff in formation, is developing innovative manual wheelchairs using their disruptive "steering-by-leaning" principle (as seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrJFH3MLlaw ). Currently, we're planning a market launch at the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027. As part of an iterative design process, we need to be able to run essential durability tests ensuring a quick CE marking (medical device class 1) procedure later on. Besides static stability, flammability and biocompatibility, the ISO tests require mechanical durability testing. These include a rolling test (several days on a roller, under load) as well as a drop test (6666 drops from 15cm, fully loaded). For this, we are looking to implement our own testing infrastructure.

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Wheelchair, Steering-by-Leaning, Testing, Test Bench, ISO Testing, CE Mark, MedTech, Assistive Technology, Startup

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Collaboration , Internship , Lab Practice , Student Assistant / HiWi

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Published since: 2025-01-29 , Earliest start: 2025-02-01 , Latest end: 2025-06-30

Organization Taylor Group / Laboratory for Movement Biomechanics

Hosts Togni Reto

Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology

FEMUR STRENGTH STUDY TO IMPROVE HIP FRACTURE RISK ASSESSMENT: BUILDING AND VALIDATING A FINITE ELEMENT MODEL FROM START TO FINISH

Hip fractures, typically the result of falls from a standing position, pose a significant socio-economic burden globally, particularly as populations continue to age. They lead to prolonged hospital stays and higher mortality rates compared to fractures at other sites, highlighting the need to identify at-risk individuals and implement personalized preventive treatments. Femoral strength, determined by destructive mechanical testing, has been used to estimate hip fracture risk, where low femoral strength corresponds to high fracture risk. However, since testing is destructive, the same femur cannot be tested under varying loading conditions (e.g. with femur augmentation). To address this limitation, a calibrated, specimen-specific finite element (FE) model can act as a control for experimental hypotheses, enabling predictions of femoral strength. In collaboration with the University of Bologna, we are conducting a paired femur study involving destructive testing to evaluate femoral strength. We are now looking for a motivated master’s student to build specimen-specific FE models to match the experiments. In this role, you will gain hands-on experience in FE model building (using LS-Dyna and Python) from start to finish, including segmentation of CT scans, material mapping of the femurs, determination of model boundary conditions and model validation based on measured conditions of the experiment and results.

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Hip fracture, femur strength, finite element analysis, simulation, computational modelling, programming, model validation, biomechanics, mechanical testing, mechanical engineering

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Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)

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Published since: 2025-01-28 , Earliest start: 2025-04-01

Organization Bone Pathologies and Treatment

Hosts Galliker Ellie

Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology , Biology

Lumios: Engineering high-throughput muscle tissues for drug development research

In the tissue engineering & biofabrication lab, we have developed a new bioprinting technology that enables the production of highly anisotropic, microstructured hydrogels and facilitates the cultivation of aligned tissues such as skeletal muscle or nerves. On this basis, we are currently working towards establishing the ETH Spin-off Lumios. In a previous proof-of-concept study, we were able to show that embedding myoblasts into these scaffolds, 14 days later, led to the formation of functional mini-muscles that showed similar contractile and biochemical properties as we see in native muscle tissues. Based on these promising results, we now want to integrate these tissues into a platform that enables their culture and characterization in a multi-well plate format and makes them accessible to drug development research for muscle-related diseases like myocardial infarction necrosis, sarcopenia or Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

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Keywords: Bioprinting, Tissue engineering, Materials science, Cell culture, Entrepreneurship

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Semester Project , Master Thesis

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Published since: 2025-01-17

Organization Zenobi-Wong Group / Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication

Hosts Weber Patrick

Topics Engineering and Technology

Combining Melt electrowritten tubular scaffolds with gels towards a vascular graft

In this project we would like to further explore if we can use our established Melt electrowritten tubular scaffolds and combine them with gels toward the application for vascular grafts. Melt electrowritten scaffolds allow us to finely control the wall geometry, which leads to controlled mechanical properties as well as porosity. However there are some limitations with this technology. This is where the addition of gels in the scaffold wall could benefit with porosity control, leackage as well as possible cell growth benefits. Therefore we would like to investigate which gel would be viable for the application of a vascular graft based on mechanical and biological needs. We would find possible solutions to combine MEW scaffolds with gels and practically try different methods. Once a protocol(s) are established we would perform quantitative and mechanical characterisation and compare it to MEW only scaffolds as well as native tissues.

Keywords

Melt electrowriting, Electrospinning, vascular grafts, scaffold production, mechanical tests, additive manufacturing, gels, hydrogels

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Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)

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Published since: 2025-01-13 , Earliest start: 2025-01-12 , Latest end: 2025-10-31

Organization Tissue Mechanobiology

Hosts Pizorn Jaka

Topics Engineering and Technology

Master thesis project - Biomechanical relationships between spinal loads and kinematic parameters in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis during walking

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal, resulting in compression of the nerve roots or cauda equina. Patients with LSS often exhibit altered spinal kinematics and compensatory movement patterns, which can increase paraspinal muscle activity and segmental loads. This study aims to estimate the spinal loads in LSS patients using an advanced full-body musculoskeletal model within the AnyBody Modeling System, incorporating patient-specific motion-capture data. Gaining a deeper understanding of the differences in spinal kinematics between LSS patients and healthy individuals, and their effects on spinal loading, could inform more effective treatment and rehabilitation strategies.

Keywords

Spine biomechanics, musculoskeletal multi-body modeling, inverse dynamics simulation, motion capture, computational study, gait

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Master Thesis

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Published since: 2025-01-10 , Earliest start: 2024-12-01 , Latest end: 2025-06-30

Organization Musculoskeletal Biomechanics

Hosts Caimi Alice

Topics Engineering and Technology

Characterising mechanical properties of tubular scaffolds for artificial blood vessels manufactured by melt electrowriting

While we have performed some basic mechanical tests to characterize Melt electrowritten tubular scaffolds, we would like to add other mechanical tests, based on ASTM standards, that would further allow us to have a better insight into mechanical properties of MEW scaffolds as well as to compare them to other vascular grafts as well as native tissues. Therefore we are searching for a motivated student who can see themself performing practical work producing tubular scaffolds as well as implementing mechanical tests.

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Melt electrowriting, Electrospinning, vascular grafts, scaffold production, mechanical tests, additive manufacturing

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Semester Project , Internship , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)

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Published since: 2025-01-10 , Earliest start: 2025-01-12 , Latest end: 2025-08-31

Organization Tissue Mechanobiology

Hosts Pizorn Jaka

Topics Engineering and Technology

PhD position in tissue microfabrication

The Biomaterials Engineering (BME) group of Professor Xiao-Hua Qin is hiring an ERC-funded PhD student in tissue microfabrication.

Keywords

micro-devices, tissue engineering, biomechanics, bone, additive manufacturing

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PhD Placement , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)

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Published since: 2025-01-03 , Earliest start: 2024-09-01 , Latest end: 2025-01-01

Applications limited to EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne , ETH Zurich , IBM Research Zurich Lab , Paul Scherrer Institute , Wyss Translational Center Zurich , University of Zurich , University of Geneva , University of Berne , University of Basel , Empa , Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen , European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin , Ludwig Maximilians Universiy Munich , Max Planck Society , TU Dresden , Universität Ulm , TU Darmstadt , TU Berlin , Technische Universität München , Technische Universität Hamburg , RWTH Aachen University , University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , University of Hamburg , University of Konstanz , Imperial College London , University of Cambridge , University of Oxford , University of Nottingham , UCL - University College London , Delft University of Technology , Radboud University Nijmegen , Utrecht University , European Molecular Biology Laboratory , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Peking University , Princeton University , Technical University of Denmark , The University of Tokyo , University of California, Berkeley , University of Toronto , Yale University , Uppsala Universitet , University of California, San Diego , National University of Singapore , IDEA League , Harvard , Stanford University , The University of Edinburgh , Tsinghua University , Université de Strasbourg , University of Queensland , The University of Melbourne

Organization Qin Group / Biomaterials Engineering

Hosts Qin Xiao-Hua, Prof. Dr.

Topics Engineering and Technology

Unraveling Calcium Dynamics and Immune Interactions in Bone Graft Substitute Environments through Advanced Ratiometric Imaging

This project endeavors to explore the dynamic interplay among calcium ions, bone graft substitutes, and resident immune cells in both orthotopic and ectopic environments, employing advanced ratiometric imaging techniques.

Keywords

Bone Graft Substitute, Calcium, Ratiometric Imaging, Immune Cells, in vitro, in vivo, Intravital Microscopy

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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis

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Published since: 2024-12-24 , Earliest start: 2024-10-01 , Latest end: 2025-06-30

Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics

Hosts Wissmann Stefanie

Topics Engineering and Technology , Biology

Development of a Heterocellular Human Bone Organoid for Precision Medicine and Treatment

Our goal is to establish a heterocellular 3D printed bone organoid model comprising all major bone cell types (osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts) to recapitulate bone remodeling units in an in vitro system. The organoids will be produced with the human cells, as they could represent human pathophysiology better than animal models, and eventually could replace them. These in vitro models could be used in the advancement of next-generation personalised treatment strategies. Our tools are different kinds of 3D bioprinting platforms, bio-ink formulations, hydrogels, mol-bioassays, and time-lapsed image processing of micro-CT scans.

Keywords

3D printing, bone organoids, co-culture, bioreactor, hydrogels, drug testing

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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)

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Published since: 2024-12-19 , Earliest start: 2022-08-01 , Latest end: 2025-11-30

Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics

Hosts Steffi Chris

Topics Engineering and Technology , Biology

MICRO-MULTI-PHYSICS AGENT-BASED MODELLING OF THE TRABECULAR BONE RESPONSE TO ESTROGEN DEPLETION

The proposed project will investigate the trabecular bone response to estrogen depletion and will be used to investigate the probability of the chosen mechanism of action for estrogen. The chosen mechanism of action will be validated using available experimental reference data.

Keywords

Osteoporosis, trabecular bone, python programming, simulation

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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis

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Published since: 2024-12-12 , Earliest start: 2024-09-01 , Latest end: 2025-08-31

Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics

Hosts Schulte Friederike

Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Information, Computing and Communication Sciences

Assessing the Effect of 3D-printed Orthotic Shoes on OA Patients' Knee Kinematics during Walking

We are looking for a self-motivated Master student to work with us on this exciting project (as her/his Master thesis, semester/internship project). Here, we plan to test the effect of our novel orthotic shoes on OA patients' knee kinematics, especially the contact pattern of joint cartilage during level walking, using VICON and dual-plane fluoroscopy system. The ultimate goal is to provide us with fundamental indications on the design of orthotic shoes for knee osteoarthritis individuals.

Keywords

shoe; orthosis; gait; biomechanics; Master thesis; knee; osteoarthritis; rehabilitation; gait analysis; fluoroscopy

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Semester Project , Internship , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)

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Published since: 2024-12-10 , Earliest start: 2025-02-28 , Latest end: 2025-07-31

Organization Clinical Movement Biomechanics

Hosts Zhang Qiang

Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology

Pre-clinical mechanical evaluation of a novel spinal implant

Background: Lower back pain is one of the most prevalent health issues in Switzerland, with severe socio-economic consequences and a leading cause of reduced work performance. Approximately 20% of spinal fusion surgeries performed using off-the-shelf implants result in the surgical outcome being compromised post-operatively, often requiring one or more revision surgeries to address the associated pain. The Laboratory of Orthopedic Technology has recently developed a novel spinal implant using topology optimization, which is currently undergoing a feasibility study for clinical applications. We are seeking a master’s student who is passionate about medical devices and mechanical design and testing to join us for a semester project or master thesis. In this role, you will gain insight into the spinal surgery process, receive input from surgeons, and contribute to the mechanical design and testing of the implant. Objectives: • Perform the CT scan on animal vertebrae • Evaluate the influence of implant placement/location variability • Mechanical testing on the implant • Develop surgical tools if needed Your Profile: • Strong knowledge in mechanical design and drawing skills. • Hands-on and detail-oriented. • Experience with SolidWorks or Fusion 360, as well as Python or Matlab. Timeframe: Spring semester in 2025

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Semester Project , Master Thesis

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Published since: 2024-11-20 , Earliest start: 2025-01-01 , Latest end: 2025-08-31

Organization Bone Pathologies and Treatment

Hosts Du Xiaoyu

Topics Medical and Health Sciences

Exploring the Mechanoregulation of Bone Regeneration

In over 100 years, the remarkable ability of bone to adapt to its mechanical environment has been a source of scientific fascination. Bone regeneration has been shown to be highly dependent on the mechanical environment at the fracture site. It has been demonstrated that mechanical stimuli can either accelerate or impede regeneration. Despite the fundamental importance of the mechanical environment in influencing bone regeneration, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are complex and poorly understood.

Keywords

Bone, Mechanobiology, Spatial transcriptomics, Gene expression, Finite element modelling, Image processing

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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis

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Published since: 2024-10-21 , Earliest start: 2024-11-01 , Latest end: 2025-08-31

Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics

Hosts Mathavan Neashan

Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology

Master Thesis position in micro-tissue chip development

The Biomaterials Engineering (BME) group of Professor Xiao-Hua Qin is recruiting 1-2 Master Thesis students in micro-tissue chip development.

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micro-devices, tissue engineering, biomechanics, bone, additive manufacturing

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IDEA League Student Grant (IDL) , Semester Project , Lab Practice , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)

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Published since: 2024-10-03 , Earliest start: 2024-10-01 , Latest end: 2025-08-31

Organization Qin Group / Biomaterials Engineering

Hosts Qin Xiao-Hua, Prof. Dr.

Topics Engineering and Technology

Unravelling the spatial and biomechanical dynamic of fracture healing in mice

Fracture healing is a complex process that involves inflammation, angiogenesis, and bone remodeling. The remodelling process helps maintain bone density, repair micro-damage that occurs due to everyday activities, and adapt bones to the specific needs of an individual's body. Mechanical loading is a crucial factor in the regulation of fracture healing. The forces and strains experienced by the bone during everyday activities influence the cellular responses, callus formation, bone deposition, remodelling, and, ultimately, the successful recovery of the fractured bone. The mechanisms underlying spatial cell reorganization during loading, which contributes to fracture healing, remain unclear. The project aims to investigate and explore the fracture healing process of mice using spatial transcriptome changes in response to mechanical loading. By shedding light on this aspect, the project aims to contribute to the broader understanding of fracture healing and potentially pave the way for more effective treatment strategies in the future.

Keywords

Spatial transcriptomics, Dimensionality reduction, Spatial expression pattern, Spatial interaction, Cell Segmentation and Visualization, Fracture healing, Bone

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IDEA League Student Grant (IDL) , Semester Project , Course Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis , ETH for Development (ETH4D) (ETHZ) , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)

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Published since: 2024-10-01 , Earliest start: 2024-03-07 , Latest end: 2024-08-01

Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics

Hosts Singh Amit

Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Mathematical Sciences , Information, Computing and Communication Sciences , Engineering and Technology , Biology , Physics

Establish an image processing and analysis pipeline for microstructural monitoring of 3D bioprinted bone organoids

We seek a motivated student to develop and implement an automated image processing and analysis pipeline for micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images of 3D bioprinted bone organoids. Leveraging our established volumetric mechanoregulation analysis method, the student will integrate finite element (FE) analysis to assess the mechanical properties of bone organoids. The project involves processing existing micro-CT datasets, performing FE simulations, and correlating stiffness parameters monitored during culture with FE results. This work aims to enhance the understanding of bone biomechanics and improve diagnostic assays and drug testing platforms for bone-related diseases.

Keywords

Image Processing, Micro-Computed Tomography (micro-CT), 3D Bioprinting, Bone Organoids, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Mechanoregulation, Python Programming, Computational Biomechanics, Bone Tissue Engineering, Volumetric Analysis

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ETH Zurich (ETHZ)

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Published since: 2024-09-27 , Earliest start: 2024-10-01 , Latest end: 2025-10-31

Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics

Hosts Schädli Gian Nutal

Topics Engineering and Technology

Hight-to-low Resolution Image Registration for Investigation of Multiscale Osteocyte Lacunar Properties in Osteoporosis

The project aims at investigating the influence of osteoporosis and the effect of different pharmacological treatments and mechanical loading on osteocyte lacunar properties and void spaces in vertebral bone in 3D. This can be achieved by registering high (1.2 µm) to low (10.5 µm) resolution microCT images and running morphological analyses.

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Murine vertebra, trabecular bone, 3D-3D image registration, image analysis, python programming, computational project

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Semester Project , Internship , Bachelor Thesis , Master Thesis , ETH Zurich (ETHZ)

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Published since: 2024-09-26 , Earliest start: 2024-11-01 , Latest end: 2025-06-30

Organization Müller Group / Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics

Hosts Lindenmann Sara

Topics Medical and Health Sciences , Engineering and Technology

Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics (Prof. Ralph Müller)

The Laboratory for Bone Biomechanics aims at providing a bridge between biologists, who have brought molecular and cellular components within the realm of engineering, and engineers, who have brought the methods of measurement, analysis, synthesis, and control within the realm of molecular and cell biology.

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Internship , Lab Practice , ETH Amgen Scholars Program (ETHZ)

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Published since: , Earliest start: 2025-07-01 , Latest end: 2025-09-03

Organization Institute for Biomechanics

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Topics Engineering and Technology

Biomaterials Engineering Group (Prof.Xiao-Hua Qin)

Our mission is to design, synthesize, and engineer novel biomaterials with tailored biophysical and biochemical properties to create 3D miniature human tissue and organoid models for disease modeling and drug discovery in the laboratory.

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Internship , Lab Practice , ETH Amgen Scholars Program (ETHZ)

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Published since: , Earliest start: 2025-07-01 , Latest end: 2025-09-03

Organization Institute for Biomechanics

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Topics Engineering and Technology

Laboratory for Movement Biomechanics (Prof. William Taylor)

The laboratory is an interdisciplinary research group that combines the expertise of engineers, human movement scientists, physicists, and sports scientists to understand and translate knowledge of human movement.

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Internship , Lab Practice , ETH Amgen Scholars Program (ETHZ)

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Published since: , Earliest start: 2025-07-01 , Latest end: 2025-09-03

Organization Institute for Biomechanics

Hosts Amgen Scholars Program Manager

Topics Medical and Health Sciences

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