The Swiss Federal Council pays a visit to Microcity

© 2014 EPFL
Six members of Switzerland's Federal Council recently visited Microcity, the EPFL antenna located in Neuchâtel. On this special occasion, scientists presented their latest research in microengineering.
Between the end of spring and the middle of summer, the most important politicians of the country set foot in the Microcity building. Swiss president Didier Burkhalter visited the place in May with the ambassadors from around the world accredited in Switzerland (see pictures). Then, in July, the Federal Council in corpore- Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf excepted-discovered the new microengineering center, as part of of the Council's traditional annual field-trip.On this occasion, EPFL President Patrick Aebischer greeted the members of the Federal Council upon their arrival at Microcity. Several EPFL scientists then presented to them an overview of the activities conducted in the labs. «It was a very special moment», recalls Christian Enz, the Director of the Institute of microengineering. «Everyone was relaxed and the Federal Councillors showed great interest for our work.»
Less expensive photovoltaic panels
In the photovoltaic and thin film electronics laboratory (PV-LAB), doctoral assistants Bénédicte Demaurex and Eleonora Annigoni put the emphasis on the manufacturing technologies for the creation of efficient solar cells. They also presented the techniques they use to integrate the solar cells into solar panels that are as aesthetic as possible. «The Federal Councillors asked a lot of questions, especially Doris Leuthard (ED: head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications) », Bénédicte Demaurex says. «They encouraged us to find solutions to reduce the cost of photovoltaic panels. We had a nice and informal conversation».
At the Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Laboratory (Samlab), doctoral assistant Andres Vasquez shares the same impression. During his speech, the scientists talked about a system of labels with embedded humidity and temperature sensors. When placed in containers carrying food, these sensors can check the environment of the food and guarantee the quality of the merchandise.
"I think Switzerland is the only country where it is possible to have such a special contact with the government", says Andres Vasquez, a Columbian by origin. "This meeting was really interesting".
In line with the watch tradition
The Federal Councillors moreover visited the Instant-lab, the Chair sponsored by Patek Philippe and directed by Prof Simon Henein. «We focused on our new prototype that might constitute the time base for the mechanical watch of the future», Ilan Vardi, one of the researchers in the lab, says. «Our goal was also to show that our work is in line with the watch tradition of the region. Neuchâtel is indeed considered as a world-leading place for research in the watchmaking sector over the past century».