EPFL Research Day in Neuchâtel

11 September 2019
EPFL Neuchâtel

The EPFL Research Day at Microcity in Neuchâtel took place on 11 September 2019, marking EPFL’s 50th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of its Neuchâtel campus.

The event was held in two parts:

EPFL Research Day
09:30 – 14:00

The event was dedicated to scientific research, innovation and technology transfer, with a particular focus on the work carried out at Microcity in the fields of health, microsystems, photovoltaïcs and watch-making. Several key actors of the region, including partners from industry and founders of startups from EPFL labs, showcased the strong links between EPFL and the Neuchâtel ecosystem. Future perspectives for the campus were outlined.

10 years of EPFL in Neuchâtel
14:00 – 18:00

In the afternoon, concrete examples of current research projects and startups were presented, followed by laboratory visits and a festive aperitif.

09:30-10:00 – Arrival and registration

Event moderator: Andreas Mortensen, Vice-President for Research


10:00-10:15 – Welcome

Martin Vetterli, President of EPFL
Alain Ribaux, President of the Government, Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel


10:15-10:25 – The Neuchâtel ecosystem and EPFL

Jean-Nathanaël Karakash, State Councillor and Head of the Department of Economy and Social Action, Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel


10:25-10:35 – EPFL’s School of Engineering in Neuchâtel

Ali Sayed, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences and Technology


10:35-10:55 – Retrospective: 10 years of EPFL in Neuchâtel

The history of EPFL in Neuchâtel
Marcella Giovannini, Deputy Director, Institute of Microtechnology (ITM)

Vision of the future
Christian Enz, Professor and Director of the Institute of Microtechnology (ITM)


10:55-11:05 – The Microcity ecosystem: University of Neuchâtel

Kilian Stoffel, Rector, University of Neuchâtel


11:05-11:15 – The Microcity ecosystem: HE-Arc

Philippe Grize, Director of the Engineering Department, HE-Arc


11:15-11:35 – Coffee break


11:35-11:45 – The Microcity ecosystem: CSEM

Mario El Khoury, Director, CSEM


11:45-11:55 – The Microcity ecosystem: Microcity SA

Caroline Heid, President, Microcity SA

“Microcity SA : a new impetus in the Neuchatel ecosystem”


11:55-12:05 – The Microcity ecosystem: Micro-Fabrication Research Centre (M2C)

Bruno Studach, Operations Director, M2C


12:05-12:15 – The Microcity ecosystem: Richemont

Guillaume Pictet, Board of Directors member, Richemont SA


12:15-12:25 – Research and innovation at EPFL Microcity: Centre for artificial muscles

Yves Perriard, Professor and Head of the Integrated Actuator Laboratory (IAL)


12:25-12:35 – Research and innovation at EPFL Microcity: Patek Philippe Chair

Simon Henein, Professor and Director of the Micromechanical and Horological Design Laboratory (INSTANT-LAB), holder of the Patek Philippe Chair

“Quality and flexibility in mechanical watchmaking”


12:35-12:40 – Conclusion

Andreas Mortensen, Vice-President for Research


12:40-14:00 – Festive aperitif

Event moderator: Marcella Giovannini, Deputy Director, Institute of Microtechnology (ITM)


14:00-18:00 – Overview of current research at EPFL Neuchâtel

All teachers and MERS


15:00-15:10 – Startup: PI Imaging Technology SA

Ivan Michel Antolovic, Scientific Associate, Quantum Architecture Laboratory (AQUA) and co-founder of PI Imaging Technology SA


15:10-15:20 – Startup: Senbiosys

Antonino Caizzone, scientific collaborator, Integrated Circuit Laboratory (ICLAB) and co-founder of Senbiosys
Assim Boukhayma, scientific collaborator, Integrated Circuit Laboratory (ICLAB) and co-founder of Senbiosys


15:20-15:40 – Example of a collaborative success: SPOT

Charles Baur, Senior Scientist, Micromechanical and Horological Design Laboratory (INSTANT-LAB)
Thomas J. Wolfensberger, Medical Director and Head of Department, Jules Gonin Ophthalmic Hospital and Professor, University of Lausanne


15:40-16:00 – Pause and separation in groups for visits


16:00-17:00 – Laboratory visits


17:00-18:00 – Aperitif