EPFL researchers have developed an implantable neural chip that can track communication between brain regions, identifying cognitive and emotional states in real-time. The system, dubbed LogSync, uses machine-learning algorithms to analyze brain activity and generate stimulation triggers when specific states are detected.
The FiberMotor is a thread-like motor that converts electrical energy into motion, producing enough force to actuate devices for soft robotic applications. It offers a natural movement range and is backdriveable, making it suitable for wearable robotics.
Researchers found that bacteria sense collisions with neighbors and reverse direction to break through congestion, allowing them to explore new spaces. This mechanism enables bacteria to navigate both crowded and structured environments, with implications for biofilm formation and robot swarm design.
Researchers have identified a way to strengthen bladder cells' ability to eliminate hidden bacteria, reducing recurrent UTIs. OM-89 increases lysosomal acidification and enzyme activity, allowing antibiotics to reach and kill bacteria more effectively.
Researchers created a detailed atlas of lipids across the mouse brain, showing a precise, orderly pattern that lines up with the brain's anatomy. The study found distinct territories, each with its own signature mix of lipids, and revealed patterns that earlier methods have missed, such as varied zones in the brain's white matter and c...
EPFL researchers have developed ultra-thin silicon structures that can rapidly tune their interaction with mid-infrared light, enabling faster communications and more sensitive detectors. The devices achieve record optical performance and can be controlled in real-time using electrical currents or ultrafast laser pulses.
A new fluorescence microscopy technique, SPIFFI, harnesses polarization of fluorescent light to generate super-resolution images of dynamic structures and processes inside living cells from a single camera exposure. The method allows researchers to visualize nanometer-scale structures in real-time, revealing details such as mitochondri...
Researchers at EPFL's POWERlab have developed a new class of GaN transistor that can withstand nearly 4 kilovolts before breaking down, maintaining low resistance and reducing energy losses. This innovation is crucial for efficient power conversion in AI data centers and renewable energy systems.
Researchers at EPFL have designed acoustic cavities that convert sound waves into thrust, propelling small robots and ultralight aerial vehicles without on-board actuators or electronics. These devices utilize hollow structures to harness specific frequencies of sound waves, generating directional thrust and controlled motion.
Scientists have developed a nanopore sensor that can detect and distinguish between microcystin congeners, a family of cyanotoxins threatening drinking-water supplies. The technology detected two closely related microcystins in Lake Geneva water with nanomolar sensitivity.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new quantum readout architecture that achieves fast and accurate qubit measurements with fewer additional components, allowing for improved performance and reduced hardware footprint. The new design uses a Josephson junction to provide built-in protection against information loss during measurement.
Researchers have discovered a soft material that overcomes the trade-off between toughness and fatigue-resistance, making it stronger and more durable. The material's unique architecture enables repetitive energy dissipation mechanisms, allowing it to absorb energy without breaking.
Researchers at EPFL found that even without physical contact, nearby dielectrics can introduce additional energy loss in ultracoherent nanomechanical resonators. Trapped static electric charges cause energy to dissipate, leading to reduced mechanical coherence.
A new method called DD-r²SCANH addresses the problem of underestimating band gaps in narrow-gap semiconductors. It combines two mathematical tools, r²SCAN and a smart algorithm, to predict dielectric constants more accurately.
A comprehensive map of human STING reveals how different regions regulate immune signaling and how small genetic changes can alter its behavior. The study identifies both known and previously unknown regulatory sites, providing new insight into how immune signaling is regulated.
Researchers developed a new approach to deep brain stimulation that adapts to real-time patient activity, improving walking and mobility. This therapy adjusts stimulation dynamically based on the patient's ongoing locomotor activity, helping patients move more naturally.
Researchers developed a simple color feedback approach that improves motor control and persistence in individuals using prosthetic devices or recovering from stroke. The method, which provides real-time reinforcement, shows promise for making human-machine interface training faster and more effective.
The EPFL team has developed an integrated ultrafast laser that rivals table-top femtosecond lasers, delivering pulses as short as 147 femtoseconds. This breakthrough uses the Mamyshev oscillator design, which is well-suited to photonic chips and can be manufactured at wafer scale.
Researchers at EPFL have discovered a way to generate and screen large libraries of synthetic cyclic peptides that can both enter cells and block disease-related protein interactions. This breakthrough could broaden access to previously difficult targets for drug development, enabling the creation of orally available peptide drugs.
Researchers from EPFL have developed a new holographic approach to volumetric 3D printing, enabling cell-compatible, high-resolution printing at near-clinical scales. The method uses phase control to produce higher-fidelity objects in light-scattering media, such as those containing living cells.
Researchers at EPFL have developed an AI-based generative framework called Latent Diffusion for Full Protein Generation (LD-FPG), which produces complete all-atom structural ensembles of proteins and their movements. This resolves the challenge of capturing subtle rearrangements in side chains that influence protein interactions.
Researchers have developed a method to program metamaterials using rotation, enabling the global setting of memory in mechanical systems. By harnessing forces arising from a rotating platform, elastic beams can be made to snap between two stable states, allowing for the storage and retrieval of binary information.
A new framework, Synthegy, combines established search algorithms with artificial intelligence capable of interpreting chemical strategies expressed in natural language. This allows chemists to express their goals in plain language and receive strategically relevant solutions.
Researchers develop Kinematic Intelligence framework to transfer skills between robots with different mechanical structures, enabling safe and predictable behavior. The approach reduces time and expertise needed to deploy robots in real-world settings.
A team of researchers discovered that the way cells sense oxygen determines if regeneration can even begin in mammalian limbs. They found that regenerative-competent amphibians show reduced oxygen-sensing capacity, while mammals respond strongly to oxygen and switch off regenerative programs.
Researchers found that Vibrio cholerae can efficiently acquire new sedentary chromosomal integron (SCI) gene cassettes from extracellular DNA. This process allows the bacteria to diversify its antiviral defenses and potentially expand its protection against viruses in different environments.
Researchers at EPFL create a semiconductor-based detector that converts incoming microwave photons into measurable electrical signals, opening new perspectives for quantum microwave optics and scalable quantum information platforms. The device detects between 55%-67.7% of incoming photons with high efficiency and operates continuously.
Researchers identify 'mitochondrial pearling' as key process for maintaining uniform spacing of nucleoids in mitochondria. Pearling involves a transient transformation that helps redistribute mtDNA clusters, ensuring efficient energy production and preventing disease.
Researchers found that only the last few layers of a quantum circuit matter due to accumulating noise, which weakens earlier steps. This means that even deep noisy circuits can be adjusted or 'trained' for simple tasks.
Researchers at EPFL developed a 3D printable scaffold to support fast bone growth using a room-temperature process with enzymes. The resulting bone-like porous scaffolds can become load bearing within just 7 days, showing promise for bone repair applications.
Researchers developed a method called optovolution that uses light to guide the evolution of proteins with dynamic, multi-state, and computational functions. This approach favors variants with better dynamics, allowing for the creation of new variants with improved light sensitivity and responsiveness.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a hydrovoltaic system that harnesses the natural effect of heat and light to control ion movement and electron flow in evaporating saltwater, producing stable and continuous electricity. The nanodevice's decoupled design allows for fine-tuning of each step in the process.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a method to overcome challenges in osmotic energy systems, enabling ions to flow through a nanofluidic membrane with unprecedented speed and control. By lubricating nanopores with lipid molecules, they achieved significantly boosted ion transport and overall performance.
EPFL researchers have theoretically shown that heat can flow toward warmer regions in highly ordered materials, enabling the design of electronics with minimized heat loss. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient thermal management across multiple sectors, from consumer electronics to energy storage and data centers.
A team of EPFL roboticists has designed a modular robot that shares power, sensing, and communication resources among its individual units, significantly increasing its resistance to failure. The approach, called hyper-redundancy, allows the robot to continue functioning even if one module fails, by compensating with neighboring modules.
Researchers at EPFL's Brain Mind Institute have discovered that rejuvenating specific engram neurons can restore memory performance in multiple mouse settings. This approach uses a short pulse of genes to 'reprogram' these cells, bringing their functionality back to levels seen in young mice.
Physicists have developed a way to accurately measure time in quantum events without using an external clock. The study found that the atomic-scale shape of materials influences how quickly quantum transitions unfold, with lower-symmetry structures leading to longer transition times.
A team of researchers at EPFL developed a robotic hand that can detach from its arm and 'crawl' to grasp multiple objects, overcoming human asymmetry and limitations. The device can perform 'loco manipulation' with seamless autonomy and has potential applications in industrial, service, and exploratory robotics.
EPFL researchers develop a new textile actuator design, the X-Crossing geometry, which boosts force and flexibility in wearable robots. The innovation enables lightweight fabrics with seamless cooperation between fibers, achieving remarkable strength and compression capabilities.
Scientists developed a compound that targets Liver X Receptor specifically in liver and gut to lower triglycerides. In first-in-human clinical trial, participants showed significant drops in triglycerides and remnant cholesterol after taking the drug.
Researchers at EPFL developed thermal paper coatings using lignin, a major component of wood, which have low or no toxic signatures. The new formulations match commercial thermal paper performance while showing improved safety profiles.
Scientists have discovered how cells maintain safe protein levels despite fluctuations in resources, using a mechanism called Passive Adaptation that adjusts protein removal rates. This process helps cells cope with changes in nutrient availability, development, or stress.
Researchers at EPFL have developed two bioengineering approaches that exploit extracellular vesicles to train dendritic cells to identify cancer cells without the need for tumor material. The approaches, published in Nature Communications and Science Translational Medicine, show promising results in enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
Researchers have created a method to encode binary information and transmit signals on a chip using quasiparticles called magnons. The spiral geometry of tiny, twisted magnetic tubes enables data transmission at room temperature, with no electron flow required.
Researchers at EPFL's CREATE Lab have developed bio-hybrid robots that use discarded crustacean shells to create a robotic manipulator, grippers, and a swimming robot. The devices combine the strength and flexibility of natural materials with synthetic components for sustainable design and reuse.
A team of researchers from EPFL, Empa, and CSEM has created a sustainable smart sensing tag that can detect temperature thresholds in shipments of medicines and food products. The biodegradable sensor tag is made from environmentally friendly materials and eliminates the need for silicon-based sensors and wireless chips.
Researchers used brain stimulation to synchronize communication between visual regions and enhance motion perception in stroke patients. The approach showed significant improvements in visual fields and real-world performance, suggesting a faster, more accessible therapy for hemianopia recovery.
Biological nanopores have unique ability to control molecular transport but also exhibit complex behavior. Researchers found that electrical charges within the pore influence ion movement and gating occurs when a charge imbalance destabilizes the pore. This study offers way to fine-tune biological nanopores for specific tasks.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a fiber-based electronic sensor that remains functional even when stretched to over 10 times its original length. The device has potential applications in smart textiles, physical rehabilitation devices, and soft robotics.
Researchers develop CRISPR-based tools to epigenetically silence or boost memory gene Arc, demonstrating its direct impact on memory expression and storage. This breakthrough offers new avenues for exploring memory processing disorders in humans.