Moving objects precisely with sound

EPFL researchers have succeeded in directing floating objects around an aquatic obstacle course using only soundwaves. Their novel, optics-inspired method holds great promise for biomedical applications such as noninvasive targeted drug delivery.

Miniaturizing a laser on a photonic chip

Scientists at EPFL have successfully miniaturized a powerful erbium-based fiber laser on a silicon-nitride photonic chip. Since typical erbium-based fiber lasers are large and difficult to scale down, the breakthrough promises major advances in optical communications and sensing technologies.

Robots au chocolat for dessert?

Robots and food have long been distant worlds: Robots are inorganic, bulky, and non-disposable; food is organic, soft, and biodegradable. Yet, research that develops edible robots has progressed recently and promises positive impacts. Read more about RoboFood – an EU-funded project that aims to marry robots and food.

Membrane protein analogues could accelerate drug discovery

EPFL researchers have created a deep learning pipeline for designing soluble analogues of key protein structures used in pharmaceutical development, sidestepping the prohibitive cost of extracting these proteins from cell membranes.