TechTransfer

Safely stored for a million years

Switzerland plans to construct an underground repository for its radioactive waste by 2050. Three sites are under consideration. Researchers at PSI are providing data that will help in determining which is most suitable.

A smart camera that does the thinking

Seervision’s software operates cameras as if it were a human and facilitates video productions. The start-up has its roots at ETH Zurich, where students once developed a clunky prototype for recording lectures.

Data science and artificial intelligence for the common good

EPFL ETH Zurich

The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) is joining forces with the Swiss Data Science Center, a joint venture between the two federal institutes of technology, to encourage the use of data science and artificial intelligence within the administration. This partnership is taking shape in the FSO’s Data Science Competence Center.

Mini-fuel cell delivers maximum performance

EPFL startup INERGIO has just unveiled a prototype for a lightweight, eco-friendly, high-performance fuel cell that can supply energy in situations where there’s no power grid. Its system can be used to run delivery drones, weather stations, environmental sensors, telecommunication antennae and even campsites.

The invisible keyhole

Hard times for burglars and safecrackers: Empa researchers have developed an invisible "keyhole" made of printed, transparent electronics. Only authorized persons know where to enter the access code.

Pritzker Prize awarded to ETH professor Anne Lacaton

Anne Lacaton, Emeritus Professor of Architecture and Design at ETH Zurich, and her partner Jean-Philippe Vassal have received the most prestigious international architecture prize for their sustainable and social approach to building design.

EPFL Changemakers: Incubating tomorrow's business ideas

Twenty EPFL students recently completed the first EPFL Changemakers program – a new initiative designed to help students develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills and flesh out their business ideas. We took a closer look at three of the promising projects they’re working on.

Retinal implants can give artificial vision to the blind

A team of EPFL engineers has developed technology that could partially restore vision in blind people.

The human body as a power plant

The technology developed by the ETH spin-off Mithras Technology wouldn’t be out of place in a science fiction movie: the user’s own body heat powers what is known as a thermoelectric generator to charge wearables and other electronic devices.

Army of robots pushes the limits of astrophysics

One thousand newly-minted microrobots created in EPFL labs will soon be deployed at two large-scale telescopes in Chile and the United States. These high-precision instruments, capable of positioning optical fibers to within a micron, will vastly increase the quantity of astrophysics data that can be gathered – and expand our understanding of the Universe.

Graphene filter makes carbon capture more efficient and cheaper

Chemical engineers at EPFL have developed a graphene filter for carbon capture that surpasses the efficiency of commercial capture technologies, and can reduce the cost carbon capture down to $30 per ton of carbon dioxide.

Bloom Biorenewables develops biomass-based plastics

Thanks to technology developed by start-up Bloom Biorenewables, plant materials can be used as an alternative to petroleum derivatives for producing a wide range of products, including bioplastics, textiles, cosmetics and even perfume. The firm recently raised €3.9 million in capital, bringing it one step closer to the manufacturing stage.

The "Crispr/Cas" for the chemical industry

After a successful career in research at Empa, Matthias Koebel has now ventured into the private sector and founded the start-up Siloxene. The young entrepreneur has a construction kit filled with a miracle material, a lot of know-how and – despite the general mood of crisis – a refreshing optimism.

EPFL spin-off Nexthink becomes the new Swiss unicorn

With $180M in financing round, the leader in software for managing employee’s digital experience reaches $1.1 billion valuation.

2020 a record fundraising year for EPFL start-ups

EPFL start-ups raised CHF 293 million in 2020 – the highest they’ve achieved so far. Four of the young firms, including Kandou and Sophia Genetics, brought in over CHF 20 million each. The pipeline of new businesses also looks solid, as 25 new EPFL spin-offs were launched last year.

6 7 8

9

10 11 12 13...

Page 9 of 18