EPFL

New PET-like plastic made directly from waste biomass

News
Research

EPFL scientists have developed a new, PET-like plastic that is easily made from the non-edible parts of plants. The plastic is tough, heat-resistant, and a good barrier to gases like oxygen, making it a promising candidate for food packaging. Due to its structure, the new plastic can also be chemically recycled and degrade back to harmless sugars in the environment.

Scientists apply genetic methods to linguistics

24.06.22NewsResearch

EPFL scientists have produced a series of maps showing historical migration events, including the migration of mountain farmers native to Upper Valais who began to settle in German-speaking Switzerland in the 13th century, by applying methods from population genetics – but using linguistic data rather than genes.

Renovating 19th-century buildings without losing their character

22.06.22NewsResearch

Researcher and architect Catarina Wall Gago has published a guide to renovation best practices, drawing on a study of historic housing in Lisbon, Oporto and Geneva. In her book, she explains how to make these homes fit for modern living while retaining their original features.

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Profiles

MARVEL team wins an award for ground-breaking work on 2D materials

21.06.22Research

A team led by Nicola Marzari has won the inaugural PRACE award for investigations into a fascinating class of novel materials that could underpin next-generation electronic and optoelectronic applications and quantum computing.

“I'd love to solve the biggest challenges in materials science”

21.06.22EPFL

Anirudh Raju Natarajan, recently appointed as a tenure-track assistant professor at EPFL’s School of Engineering, is passionate about materials. His interests are in using computational methods to design high-performance engineering alloys. In this interview, Prof. Natarajan shares insights into his unbridled curiosity.

While Juhan Aru has always been a fan of the chalkboard, he had to adopt new practices during the pandemic. © Alain Herzog 2020 EPFL

“My role is like that of a mountain guide”

16.06.22EPFL

Juhan Aru, who holds the Chair of Random Geometry at EPFL, has been named best teacher in the mathematics section for 2020. While he usually prefers to teach on a chalkboard, the pandemic forced him to adapt the methods and content he uses for his Bachelor’s classes. An adjustment that Aru, who’s always up for a challenge, took in stride.

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Energy 2050: the nuclear temptation

GIF invitant à explorer le rapport annuel 2021

Fieldwork below the emblematic Pic Lenin, along with our support team. Despite the worrisome faces, this was the only day that we escaped the storm and were not drenched (Photo © Andrey Savinykh)

EPFL Out There

Far from campus, in the name of science

EPFL Memento

L'EPFL à la Nuit de la Science à Genève

Le week-end du 9 et 10 juillet, l'EPFL participe à la Nuit de la science à Genève, au Parc de la Perle du Lac. L’EPFL animera un grand stand sous tente avec des activités tout public. Démonstrations de…

09-07-202210-07-2022

With: Service de promotion des sciences, Laboratoires de l’EPFL
Place and room: Genève
Category: Public Science Events