Reflex: the challenges of biodiversity

Published:18.03.11 — Globalized insects, standardized cows and beneficial global warming – the EPFL magazine uncovers hidden aspects of biodiversity.

Mathematics, stock markets, floods and other risks

Published:17.03.11 — Mathematicians, bankers and analysts use ideas from extreme events like natural disasters: earthquakes, floods or avalanches. The mathematics section of EPFL, in cooperation with ETHZ, has put in place a training program on Quantitative Risk Management, intended for Risk Managers.

Five thousandth doctorate awarded today at EPFL

Published:16.03.11 — On the occasion of the award of the 5000th doctorate today, Jacques Giovanola, Dean of the Doctoral School, reflects in an interview on how the doctorate has evolved and on the steps EPFL is taking to adapt to these changes.

New evidence for innate knowledge

Published:15.03.11 — Do we have innate knowledge? Neuroscientists working on Blue Brain Project at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) are finding proof that this is the case. They’ve discovered that neurons make connections independently of a subject’s experience. Their results have been published in an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

EPFL reinvents the liquid crystal display

Published:14.03.11 — An EPFL laboratory has developed a new technology, based on optofluidics, to improve LCD screens and optical information processing systems. The scientists are targeting a refresh rate on the order of a kilohertz, ten times faster than the technology currently used in LCD television screens.

IT – still a man's world?

Published:11.03.11 — The UN agency for information and communication technologies (ITU) has organized a debate on the low level of female participation in this discipline. At EPFL, as well as at other Swiss universities, female students account for only 15% of the total. Anastasia Ailamaki, the professor in charge of the Data-Intensive Applications and Systems Laboratory, was invited to attend. She gives us a few avenues to explore.

Record numbers expected at open days for sixth-formers

Published:10.03.11 — There will be quite a crowd on campus today! Around 1200 sixth-form students will be coming to find out more about the courses on offer. Over the next four days, no less than 2050 prospective students – a record number – will be visiting EPFL.