École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne ‐ EPFL

Scientists have studied the conversion of savannas into oil palm plantations © Laboratoire ECOS / EPFL

Deforestation-free and carbon-negative alternatives for palm oil

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EPFL

A team of scientists from EPFL and Switzerland’s WSL research institute has studied the conversion of savannas into oil palm plantations as a deforestation-free way of growing these plantations. What’s more, if improved management practices are adopted at the plantation scale, then the net carbon balance could be enhanced and a great leap could be made towards reducing the environmental impact of palm oil.

The trees that tell a story at the Rolex Learning Center

21.01.22NewsEPFL

Internationally renowned Swiss artist Claudia Comte explains the scientific inspiration behind Tree Line Curve: the remarkable and multi-faceted installation that has created a sweeping ‘forest’ on the Rolex Learning Center patio.

Quantum dots boost perovskite solar cell efficiency and scalability

21.01.22NewsResearch

Scientists at EPFL have boosted the efficiency and scalability of perovskite solar cells by replacing their electron-transport layers with a thin layer of quantum dots.

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Illustration représentant un robot-mouche © Cornelia Gann / EPFL, 2021

Natural Machines

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The robots, machines and smart systems that human beings have developed over the centuries – and with particular fervor in recent decades – have almost always been inspired by nature.

Profiles

Andrea Baccarini investigated aerosol formation in the Arctic and Antarctic and their role in climate change. © Sharif Mirshak Parafilms / EPFL

“Taking part in expeditions was an unbelievable experience”

24.01.22EPFL

Andrea Baccarini, now a scientist at ENAC’s Extreme Environments Research Laboratory, has been awarded the ETH Medal for his thesis investigating aerosol formation in the Arctic and Antarctic and the role aerosols play in climate change.

“Sustainable design must be emotionally and environmentally durable”

20.01.22Education

Hannah Casey, a second-year student in the Master of Science in Digital Humanities program offered by EPFL’s Digital Humanities Institute, describes her experience in the program, and what inspired her to enter this interdisciplinary field.

Lucie Sandoz at the mecanichal engineering workshop with one of her instructors, Christophe Zurmühle. © Alain Herzog/EPFL

“With a 5-axis CNC machine, the sky's the limit!”

17.01.22EPFL community

Lucie Sandoz, who started an apprenticeship at EPFL’s mechanical engineering workshop last August, has discovered a field she’s passionate about.

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Located in Switzerland, EPFL is one of Europe’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan science and technology institutions.

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Through five schools and two colleges, EPFL community tackles the biggest challenges of our time through education, research and innovation.

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Campus Lecture with Sonia Seneviratne

"State of the climate crisis: Conclusions from the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports" Sonia I. Seneviratne, ETH Zurich This presentation will provide an overview of the main conclusions of…

03-03-202203-03-2022

With: Sonia Seneviratne, ETH Zurich
Place and room: Forum Rolex
Category: Conferences – Seminars

Sustainability 101 – Back to school

10-03-202210-03-2022

With: Gilles Mitteau
Place and room: RLC E1 240
Category: Conferences – Seminars

Legends of Space

18-03-202219-03-2022

With: Dave Scott, Charlie Duke, Gerry Griffin, Charles F. Bolden Jr, Ellen Ochoa, Kathy Sullivan, Claude Nicollier, Jean-Francois Clervoy, Prof. Mark McCaughrean
Place and room: STCC 2 8020
Category: Conferences – Seminars