News EPFL

DBToaster breaks up data jams in server farms

Published:21.09.12 — In gigantic server farms around the world, billions of database entries are queried every second. EPFL researchers have developed a system that drastically improves the circulation of this flow of information. The economic and environmental benefits are considerable.

A step towards total autopilot

Published:20.09.12 — Will planes someday fly without pilots? Three EPFL laboratories, commissioned by Honeywell and operating under the auspices of EPFL’s Transportation Center, are working on this possibility by developing collision-prediction, avoidance, and real-time vision algorithms. The project is a formidable technological challenge.

Old News Is Good News for TB Drug Discovery

Published:19.09.12 — Researchers look back to a 1950s antibiotic to combat drug resistance.

Blue Brain Project Accurately Predicts Connections between Neurons

Published:17.09.12 — Proof of concept: researchers identify principles to support brain simulation models

Melting glaciers leave new lakes in their path

Published:14.09.12 — When glaciers melt, new lakes are formed. Can we take advantage of this? An EPFL student has studied the possibility of using these natural reservoirs to help boost hydroelectric power production in the canton Valais – and thus help Switzerland as it transitions into a future without nuclear power.

Algae turn into natural gas on the Federal Square

Published:13.09.12 — Technology developed at EPFL and the Paul Scherrer Institute to transform microorganisms into methane gas will be presented at the Swiss Energy and Climate Summit taking place this week in Bern. The technology could play a role in the future sustainable production of biosynthetic natural gas.

The effects of droughts on mountain pastures

Published:12.09.12 — Researchers simulate an arid climate using greenhouse tunnels to study the effects of increased dryness on forage grown on mountain pastures.