Scientists from EPFL investigated how generated electrical charges travel across perovskite surfaces of solar cells built with different architectures. The results showed two main dynamics: charge separation through electron transfer at sub-picosecond timescales, and significantly slower charge recombination for titanium oxide films.
The liver's protein production and release are influenced by both the internal clock and feeding behaviors, according to a recent study published in PNAS. The researchers found that the circadian clock does not solely regulate protein production but also affects the storage and release of proteins into the body.
Researchers from EPFL have created a new method to eliminate external noise in nanomechanical oscillators, allowing for nearly perfect ultra-efficient sensors. This breakthrough enables the detection of very small particles and masses with high accuracy, opening up new frontiers in fundamental science and applied studies.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a high-efficiency, scalable method for creating solar-powered water splitting devices using molybdenum sulfide and copper(I) oxide. The new catalyst preserves optical transparency, stability under acidic conditions, and reduces maintenance costs.
EPFL scientists have discovered optical dissipative solitons in small millimeter-size optical resonators, producing extremely short and high-rate light pulses. This breakthrough has significant implications for applications such as astronomy, chemists' analysis, and telecommunication networks.
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown form of uranium that can become mobile under certain conditions, remobilizing from natural wetlands into surrounding water. Researchers found that a specific combination of organic matter, iron, and sulfide presence enables the mobility of uranium.
Researchers at EPFL have discovered a method to fit pulses together within optical fibers, increasing the capacity by up to ten times. This approach reduces the unused empty space for data in the fiber, enabling faster and more reliable data transmission.
Researchers have discovered a potent natural antibiotic, pyridomycin, that targets two key enzymes in tuberculosis bacteria. The molecule's unique three-dimensional structure allows it to simultaneously inhibit the production of the bacterium's lipid membrane, drastically reducing the risk of resistance.
Researchers at EPFL have discovered a law that can predict the growth of cities based on past population data and neighboring cities. This allows for better planning and management of urbanization. The study analyzed data from Spain over 111 years, uncovering patterns in urban migration.
EPFL researchers have developed a new method for detecting individual DNA molecules using graphene nanoribbons, offering improved precision and potential for DNA sequencing. The technology has the potential to detect other types of proteins and provide information on their size and shape.
Researchers at EPFL have discovered that the lethal factor of anthrax bacteria can travel undetected through the body for days using exosomes, evading the immune system and medical analysis. This mechanism explains why some organisms succumb to the disease up to two weeks after the disappearance of bacterial presence.
EPFL researchers found that copper is essential for malignant cell energy production and that reducing its intake can slow down tumor growth. Copper deficiency resulted in lower respiration enzyme activity and increased glycolysis in tumors.
Gimball's spherical shape and gyroscopic stabilization system enable it to absorb shocks and maintain its course despite numerous collisions. The robot's technology simplicity allows it to operate in challenging terrain, such as forest areas, without the need for complex obstacle avoidance systems.
Researchers have developed a new hyperpolarization technique for MRI scans using naturally occurring pyruvic acid, reducing the need for potentially toxic substances. This breakthrough improves imaging quality and diagnosis while minimizing health risks.
EPFL scientists have created a hydrogel that promotes cartilage regeneration by delivering therapeutic drugs in response to mechanical stimulation. This method has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of joint injuries and degenerative conditions such as arthritis.
Researchers find that protein phosphorylation slows down Parkinson's disease, contradicting the assumption that it triggers toxic aggregates. The study suggests a new approach for therapeutic development.
Researchers at EPFL found that visualizing heartbeat on a virtual body can alter how people experience their own body and self. The study suggests that internal organs shape body ownership and can be used to change self-consciousness.
EPFL researchers dismantled a bacterial nano-machine that kills host cells by piercing membranes. The discovery opens new therapeutic perspectives, including coating catheters with substitute peptides to prevent infection.
Researchers have developed two new classes of compounds that target the gamma-secretase enzyme to treat Alzheimer's disease. These compounds produce shorter forms of amyloid peptide 38, which do not aggregate into neurotoxic plaques. Early-onset hereditary forms of Alzheimer's may be linked to mutations in the APP protein gene, leading...
Using a device that detects molecules in real-time, researchers can now observe biomolecule interactions in a sample of water. This technology has major implications for medicine, enabling scientists to study proteins, medicines, and cells with unprecedented precision.
Scientists from EPFL's Blue Brain Project and the Allen Institute join forces to simulate brain wave behavior using a detailed computer model. The simulation reveals similarities between modeled brain activity and measured EEG signals in rodents, offering insights into the neural circuitry behind brain waves.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new method for connecting molecules like drugs or polymers to thiols using the alkynes, allowing for quick and efficient alkynylation reactions. The breakthrough has far-reaching implications for chemical biology, drug design, and materials science.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) design that increases efficiency to a record 15% without sacrificing stability. This breakthrough overcomes the inherent voltage loss of traditional DSSCs and opens a new era for DSSC development.
Researchers have discovered a champion nano-structured iron oxide structure that can produce solar hydrogen with high efficiency. The discovery, published in Nature Materials, aims to reduce the production cost of hydrogen from €15 per kilo to €5.
Researchers at EPFL's LSU employed a world-unique setup to observe electron movement with unprecedented time-resolution. The study revealed that solvent configuration significantly affects electron departure, extending residence time up to 450 fsec.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a matchbox-sized device that can test for bacterial presence in just a couple of minutes. This method uses nano-levers and lasers to detect metabolic activity, allowing for fast and accurate diagnosis of effective antibiotic treatment.
A team from EPFL has developed a computer algorithm that can create a 3D model of a simple room based on sound picked up by four microphones. The algorithm uses the differences in signal time to calculate distances between microphones, walls, and the sound source.
The 'cheetah-cub robot' boasts excellent auto-stabilization characteristics and can run nearly seven times its body length in one second. Its design is based on the meticulous observation of feline leg morphology, featuring springs to reproduce tendons and actuators to replace muscles.
Researchers reconstructed medieval leprosy genomes from centuries-old human remains, finding no change in the pathogen's genome despite a significant drop in cases. The study suggests humans may have developed resistance to the disease, which spread through natural selection and social isolation.
Researchers have discovered a method to control and direct the self-assembly of two distinct colloids by utilizing DNA-coated particles. This breakthrough has potential applications in various technologies, such as smart drug-delivery patches and light-reacting paints.
A new molybdenum-based image sensor has been developed, featuring a single pixel that requires only 1/5th the light energy of current silicon-based sensors. This breakthrough enables high sensitivity in low-light conditions, opening up new possibilities for astrophotography and biological imaging.
Researchers have identified a protein responsible for controlling the growth of gigantic synapses in the auditory part of the brain. These massive synapses allow for rapid signal transmission, outpacing other neuronal circuits by a fraction of a millisecond, enabling humans to pinpoint sound sources with remarkable accuracy.
EPFL scientists have identified the molecular basis behind sulfonamide antibiotics' neurological side effects, which can include nausea, hallucinations, and psychosis. By understanding how sulfonamides interact with a patient's nervous system, doctors may be able to customize therapeutic regimes to minimize these side effects.
Researchers found that disrupting a mechanism in mitochondria using simple antibiotics can multiply lifespan by a factor of 1.6 in worms. The study suggests that reducing protein production in these organelles may lead to increased longevity. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings in mammals.
Researchers at EPFL discover that corals depend strongly on algae to extract nutrients from the water. The algae temporarily store nitrogen in the form of uric acid crystals, building up reserves for times when supplies run low. This symbiotic relationship is crucial for coral survival in nutrient-poor environments.
Researchers at EPFL created a nanowire solar cell that captures up to 12 times more light than traditional flat solar cells, producing more energy with lower costs.
EPFL researchers have developed a method to shrink glass capillary tubes using a scanning electron microscope, resulting in precise control over the tube's diameter. This technique has been patented and shows promise for industrial applications such as ultra-high precision printing and surgery.
EPFL scientists have developed a tiny implant that can analyze proteins and organic acids in the blood, sending results to doctors' computers for more personalized care. The device has demonstrated reliable detection of several substances and has potential applications in chemotherapy and chronic illness monitoring.
Researchers combine the electronic properties of molybdenite and graphene to develop a flash memory prototype that stores data even in absence of electricity. The material offers great potential for efficient data storage due to its unique 'energy band' and high sensitivity to charge.
A team of EPFL researchers has identified a key step in the manufacture of red blood cells, revealing the subtle regulatory mechanisms that direct their birth. The discovery highlights the importance of mitophagy, the elimination of mitochondrial respiratory apparatus, and its modulation by KRAB-containing zinc finger proteins and KAP1.
A new tool developed by EPFL researchers can accurately determine the optimal dose of chemotherapy for individual patients, reducing the risk of resistance mechanisms and relapse. The method measures a cancerous cell's electrical conductivity to assess the treatment's effect, allowing oncologists to make more patient-specific decisions.
A study by Andrea Giometto reveals that body sizes in aquatic microorganisms follow a mathematical expression common to all species, influencing size distributions and ecosystem balance. This finding could lead to new insights into population dynamics and the existence of universal laws governing natural ecosystems.
Miniature, ultra-flexible electrodes developed in Switzerland may improve Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) treatment for Parkinson's disease and other conditions. These new electrodes allow for more precise directional stimulation, reducing side effects and enhancing therapeutic effectiveness.
Researchers at EPFL have successfully developed a neuroprosthetic system that enables completely paralyzed rats to walk and run again after just weeks of treatment. The technology uses stretchable spinal electrode arrays controlled by smart stimulation algorithms, combined with novel robotic rehabilitation. With the goal of restoring v...
Scientists at EPFL have made significant progress in developing prosthetic limbs that can be controlled by the nervous system, paving the way for more realistic sensory feedback and improved function. The new technology has already shown promising results in clinical trials, with potential to restore dexterity and sensation to amputees.
A new world record efficiency of 10.7% has been achieved in thin film silicon solar cells, using less than 2 micrometers of raw material, significantly reducing material costs and energy payback time.
Researchers at EPFL have created a device that combines holographic microscopy and computational image processing to observe living biological tissues at the nanoscale. Three-dimensional images of living cells can be obtained in just a few minutes with an incredibly precise resolution of less than 100 nanometers.
EPFL researchers find correlation between childhood psychological trauma and neurological changes similar to those found in violent humans. The study demonstrates that traumatic experiences in pre-adolescent rats lead to altered brain function, including reduced orbitofrontal cortex activation and increased aggression.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new tool using optofluidics to observe individual bacteria, revealing that persistent populations are dynamic and can adapt through mutation. This challenges traditional theories of bacterial resistance, offering new insights into the evolution of antibiotic efficacy.
Researchers develop method to reprogram T-cells involved in autoimmune diseases by attaching pancreatic protein to red blood cells, eliminating symptoms of type I diabetes in mice. The approach aims to minimize risks and side effects while targeting specific immune cells involved in the disease.