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Articles tagged with: ‘epfl‘

Bionics| Tech»

Lab on a chip for sweat testing and monitoring

By Maja Bosanac
7 December 2017

epfl-lab-on-a-chipCollaboration between EPFL’s Nanoelectronic Devices Laboratory (Nanolab) researchers and startup Xsensio resulted in development of a low-power and portable sensing chip. The chip can be put directly on skin, or integrated into wearables in order to track real-time different biochemical and physical parameters in a person’s sweat. Xsensio was founded in 2014 as a spinoff… »

Tech»

Improving optical fiber bandwidth by a factor of ten

By Damir Beciri
10 December 2013

epfl-optical-bandwidth-1EPFL scientists have shown how to achieve a dramatic increase in the capacity of optical fibers. Instead trying to redesign the fiber itself, they decided to improve multiplexing – a method which allows sharing of a communications channel or medium by combining signals at a common point. The breakthrough could increase the throughput of data… »

Architecture| Tech»

EPFL’s new convention center west façade features dye solar cells

By Damir Beciri
3 December 2013

michael-gratzel-dsscEPFL is going to showoff with their new convention center by making power from its colorful glass façade. This is the first architectural integration of dye solar cells technology at this scale, and it’s achieved in partnership with Romande Energie with a goal to develop a large-scale solar park and conduct research and development projects… »

Bionics»

A new approach for more efficient cartilage repair and regeneration

By Damir Beciri
3 Comments16 October 2013

epfl-cartilage-1Damage to cartilage may no longer have to be irreversible. A team of EPFL scientists has developed a smart hydrogel material that could promote cartilage regeneration. That would be great news for athletes, elderly, and people with conditions which lead to cartilage degeneration and arthritis. The advantage of this method is its ability to release… »

Bionics»

The first telescopic contact lens

By Maja Bosanac
2 July 2013

opex-telescopic-lens-1Researchers at the Jacobs School of Engineering and the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) developed the first telescopic contact lens which can enhance our vision by zooming three times. This 1.17mm thick lens has been created to aid the vision of people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which damages the high-resolution center of the… »

Bionics| Robotics»

Cheetah-cub robot – light, fast, robust and affordable feline inspired platform

By Damir Beciri
20 June 2013

cheetahcub-1Researchers at the EPFL have developed a bioinspired robotic platform whose purpose is to encourage research in biomechanics. The four-legged “cheetah-cub robot” is small and light, and the design of legs, whose design faithfully reproduces feline morphology, make it fast and stable. Robots developed from this concept could eventually be used in search and rescue… »

Tech»

OsmoBlue technology uses osmosis to convert excess heat into electricity

By Damir Beciri
22 May 2013

osmoblueAccording to some studies, between 20 to 50 percent of consumed energy is dispersed as heat. Although there are methods to utilize heat over 150°C (302°F) to produce electricity or to heat homes, the rest is simply released into the environment. The start-up OsmoBlue, based in EPFL’s Laboratory of Microsystems, developed a process based on… »

Bionics| Tech»

SunCHem process turns microalgae into natural gas

By Damir Beciri
18 September 2012

sunchem-process-1Researchers from the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the Paul Scherrer Institute managed to develop a bioreactor which uses microorganisms to produce methane gas. The technology could be used in sustainable and decentralized production of biosynthetic natural gas from microalgae – thus avoiding the use of  crops and lessening the need for fertile… »