What are particle accelerators and how do they help create new products?
We are used to thinking of particle accelerators as pure research instruments. There are however over 30'000 of them in the world and they are widely used by different industries, from med-tech and computer industry to food and security industries. Accelerator and related technologies are in the origin of many innovations.
A digital copy of the world
Nomoko AG is developing the platform that will contribute to the creation of an entirely new market for products built on real-world-based 3D data. The core of the platform is built on Nomoko’s technology that will enable them to create accurate, ultra-realistic 3D models of the cities we live in – also called the “digital twin of the world”.
Drug Discovery Made in Switzerland
Drug discovery has come a long way from guess work to a structural and targeted approach to finding new and better remedies. To develop new drugs, companies need to stay up to date about the latest discoveries in genomics, proteomics, structural or quantitative biology.
Robotics: Innovation and R&D in Switzerland
Forbes recently called Switzerland “the Silicon Valley of Robotics” and said the country has “emerged as a serious competitor to California for the technologies, people and funding that will power the world’s fourth socio-economic revolution”. Find out why.
SOLAR IMPULSE AND ATLANTIKSOLAR
At least two Swiss teams hold solar world records: Solar Impulse and AtlantikSolar. In 2016, Solar Impulse completed the first ever around-the-world flight in a purely solar-powered airplane. EPFL and Empa were key partners. AtlantikSolar, developed at ETH Zurich, holds the world record for the longest fully solar-powered flight ever (81 hours) of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
PROTON THERAPY
This breakthrough technology for deep-seated tumor irradiation has become one of the leading forms of tumor and cancer treatment around the world. With proton therapy, tumor tissues are destroyed using protons.
CYBATHLON
In 2016, the first ever Olympic-style competition for disabled people using robotics-based assistive technologies took place in Zurich: Cybathlon.
Virtual Reality Specto VR
Medical Application of Virtual and Augmented Reality Tools.
With the Virtual Reality tool SpectoVR, doctors can interact in a three-dimensional space with the patient data prior to surgery.
EVOLARIS AVIATIONS
evolaris aviation gmbh – a spin-off of the Bern University of Applied science – has developed an electrical high power aerobatic motor for the swiss aerobatic aircraft VOTEC 221 in the past 2 years.
The MIRACLE Project
MIRACLE, short for Minimally Invasive Robot-Assisted Computer-guided LaserosteotomE, aims to develop a robotic endoscope to perform contact-free bone surgery with laser light.
Electron Diffraction for Drug Discovery
Modern pharmaceutical development is tailored to the chemical and physical characteristics of active organic compounds. Obtaining a polymorph portfolio of a compound is a demanding process. With its advantages, electron diffraction represents one of the most promising fields of research for unlocking new possibilities in structure-based drug discovery.
A new method for cheaper solar-energy storage
Storing solar energy as hydrogen is a promising way for developing comprehensive renewable energy systems. Building on a unique idea, EPFL scientists have now developed a simple, unconventional method to fabricate high-quality, efficient solar panels for direct solar hydrogen production with low cost.
Unprecedented level of detection
The results of the research and development activities in chemical, pharmaceutical and many other areas often depend on the correctly identified structure of the analyzed sample. X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) is considered the gold standard method for identifying and quantifying crystalline solid forms and provides the industry with crucial data.
Disabled people pilot a robot remotely with their thoughts
Using a telepresence system developed at EPFL, 19 people – including nine quadriplegics – were able to remotely control a robot located in one of the university laboratories. This multi-year research project aims to give a measure of independence to paralyzed people. Each of the 9 subjects with disabilities managed to remotely control the robot with ease.
Innovative Cancer Immunotherapy
IPS Biopharma is a biotech company developing a proprietary drug for use in the innovative cancer immunotherapy inCVAX for the treatment of solid metastatic tumors.
