EPFL

Concrete is a mix of cement, an aggregate such as gravel, and water. For added strength, steel fibers are often added. Now, scientists are claiming that a new type of fiber-reinforced concrete could soon serve as a lighter and greener alternative.

Scientists have uncovered an unfortunate feedback loop that could make things worse for the climate. According to a new study, ocean acidification seems to increase the amount of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, that’s released into the air.

Given how deadly and destructive lightning can be, it would certainly be good to know in advance where and when it was going to strike. A new artificial intelligence-based system could help, utilizing nothing but standard weather-station data.

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.