News EPFL

Sensors pave the way to using energy from the stars

Published:30.05.11 — The international ITER project is setting out to store the energy of stars in a reactor. To meet this challenge, scientists must be able to measure the properties of matter in fusion. A team at EPFL has just successfully tested some sensors that are necessary for the ITER prototype.

Underground waters resist forced depollution

Published:27.05.11 — An experiment conducted at the EPFL Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory has demonstrated the role played by micro-organisms in the degradation – without oxygen – of a very common pollutant: vinyl chloride.

When robots learn from our mistakes

Published:26.05.11 — Robots typically acquire new capacities by imitation. Now, EPFL scientists are doing the inverse -- developing machines that can learn more rapidly and outperform humans by starting from failed or inaccurate demonstrations.

Microrobots for nanomanipulation

Published:25.05.11 — Microrobots from the company Imina Technologies are revolutionizing the manipulation of tiny components/elements under the microscope. The EPFL spin-off is now attacking the American market, and has received one of the four Vittoz awards – worth 30,000 Swiss francs – given by the Science Park (PSE).

The EPFL Congress Center will have energy-efficient foundations

Published:24.05.11 — Four energy-efficient piles are being installed between end-May and the beginning of June in the foundations of the future building. They will enable research to be performed on the leveraging of geothermal energy and the mechanical behavior of the foundations.

EPFL bikes to work

Published:23.05.11 — The bicycle will be the center of attention on the occasion of the initiative “Bike to work 2011”. The objective is to encourage environment-friendly transport by making 50% of journeys from home to the campus by bicycle during the month of June. This will need some brain-work as well as leg-work!

Four professors appointed at EPFL

Published:20.05.11 — During the session of May 18 and 19 2011, the ETH Board announced four appointments concerning EPFL.