News EPFL

“More than classes, they are vast networks of knowledge”

Published:13.12.12 — 53,000 enrolled students, close to 10,000 certificates issued: the first MOOC offered this autumn by EPFL on the Coursera platform has been a success. The following is a discussion with the course author, Martin Odersky, the inventor of the computer programming language Scala.

Stained Glass Solar Windows for the Swiss Tech Convention Center

Published:11.12.12 — As a World’s first, no less than 300m2 of dye sensitized solar cells will be integrated to the facade of the EPFL’s Convention Center. This prototype will constitute the first application of such technology to a public building. The translucent panels are constructed and assembled by local SMEs and make use of an invention conceived by EPFL researcher Michael Graetzel. This project is embedded within the framework of the partnership established in 2009 between EPFL and Romande Energie - whose aim is to create one of the largest solar energy parks in Switzerland.

Eight professors appointed at EPFL

Published:07.12.12 — At its meeting held in December, the Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology appointed eight professors at EPFL.

A driverless electric shuttle makes its way through the EPFL campus

Published:07.12.12 — Created by the French society Induct, Navia shuttles are designed to transport people over the “first and last miles” of a journey. EPFL's Innovation Square hosts a Research and Development team for Induct and will use its first vehicle for education and experiment, before setting up a real transportation service on the campus.

Renewing the biotechnology sector in the Lake Geneva Region

Published:06.12.12 — A dedicated Consortium comprised of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Dr Hansjörg Wyss and the Bertarelli family has developed a project to convert part of the former Merck Serono site in Geneva into a multi-development facility. The project, "Campus Biotech", will be a center of excellence in healthcare, biotechnology and life sciences, and will renew the vitality and competitiveness of this important sector in the Lake Geneva Region.

EPFL's heating a treat for lake trouts

Published:05.12.12 — A recently conducted study also shows that the streams surrounding EPFL can handle future campus growth.

A research chair for lakes

Published:03.12.12 — EPFL and Ferring Pharmaceuticals are inaugurating a Chair for the study of lake environments. The partnership aims to improve our understanding and protection of these vital and fragile ecosystems.