News EPFL

The SwissTech Convention Center, a lab for conferences of the future

Published:03.04.14 — The SwissTech Convention Center, which opened on April 3rd, is one of the most modern and best equipped conference centers in the world. With this new tool that makes it possible to organize the most ambitious meetings, EPFL reaffirms its strong position at the heart of Europe’s scientific community. Funded by two Credit Suisse real estate funds, the building and the Northern Quarter in which it stands were planned and carried out by HRS Real Estate SA according to plans by the architectural firm Richter Dahl Rocha & Associés SA in Lausanne. In a world first, a solar photovoltaic facade composed of “Grätzel cells” has been installed with the support of Romande Energie.

*1st of April* Hollow chamber within Matterhorn worries geologists

Published:01.04.14 — ** 1st of April 2014 - see you next year for a new April's fool!** The Matterhorn’s days are numbered. Although populations are not in danger, scientists warn that its predicted collapse could occur at any moment.

Tamiflu-resistant influenza: parsing the genome for the culprits

Published:31.03.14 — It doesn’t take long for the flu virus to outsmart Tamiflu. EPFL scientists have developed a tool that reveals the mutations that make the virus resistant, and they have identified new mutations that may render ineffective one of the few treatments currently available on the market.

Swiss Innovation Park: Decentralised Hub for Western Switzerland

Published:28.03.14 — EPFL and the western cantons - Vaud, Valais, Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Geneva - have decided to join forces in contributing to create the future National Innovation Park. On Friday they filed a portfolio on the western Switzerland hub with the Conference of Cantonal Directors of the Economy (CDEP), with the stated ambition to give Switzerland the global visibility it deserves in the field of innovation.

Pinewood Makes a Novel Appearance at the Louvre

Published:28.03.14 — Start with a soft wood such as pine or fir. Heat it, compress it and turn it into valuable fuel. At the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, the EPFL + ECAL Lab presents densified wood objects that show the potential of this material from an EPFL laboratory and highlight the role of design in innovation.

Don't Let Personal Data Escape Your Smartphone

Published:26.03.14 — Two EPFL researchers have developed an application that automatically secures shared information on a mobile phone. The Android app should be available in late summer 2014.

People are still moving as much – but it takes them longer

Published:24.03.14 — In the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, people are using their cars less often and their overall travel time is increasing. More than half the trips are for leisure activities and shopping.