EPFL

A new "artificial skin" simulates a sense of touch via tiny air bladders.

Scientists from the EPFL research institute are developing new technology, in which a computer takes over certain functions of prosthetic hands.

New technology promises to make the 3D-bioprinting process quicker and thus more practical than ever.

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new biodegradable circuit that can be implanted to deliver painkillers in the body on demand. When the device is heated up from a source outside the body, it releases a controlled dose of a drug, before safely dissolving away when it’s no longer needed.

​The shorter a drone's propellers, the less efficient they are at keeping it airborne. That factor, along with compact, low-capacity batteries, is the reason that small drones can't fly very long. A new two-prop drone, however, is claimed to deliver twice the flight time as same-sized quadcopters.

In a demonstration that less can be more, EPFL scientists are working on simple robots that behave and cooperate like ants. The 10-g (0.35 oz) Tribots are folded like origami, but have the ability to be assigned roles and work together on complex tasks as they jump and crawl over uneven terrain.

Researchers at EPFL have crunched the numbers on heat transfer in the air of train tunnels, and outlined a geothermal heat recovery system that could potentially supply heating and cooling to thousands of nearby homes.

Researchers at EPFL have now reported a new step towards anti-aging medication. Human clinical trials of a fruit-derived compound showed promise in slowing mitochondrial aging in elderly patients, with no side effects found.

Cancer might not be so difficult to kill if it didn’t have the terrifying ability to spread throughout the body. Now, researchers have discovered a particular protein signalling pathway that controls whether a tumor can spread or not, making it a good target for future drugs.

A colony of bees in Austria and a school of fish in Switzerland have become unlikely allies. In experiments run by several European universities, the two very different animal species were able to communicate and coordinate their movements long-distance with the help of some robotic interpreters.

Scientists and engineers often turn to high-speed cameras to better understand rocket launches, lightning and viper strikes, and now researchers in Switzerland are now proffering such folks a brand new tool they say will work with any kind of camera.

​Although a certain amount of fluoride is added to municipal water supplies to help prevent tooth decay, too much can actually have the opposite effect – particularly on children. A new device could allow officials to detect those overly-high levels, cheaper and easier than ever before.