Research Activities ‒ LAFT ‐ EPFL

Microsystems development

Microfluidics

Integrated microfluidic systems that combine fluid flow, manipulation, sensing, and actuation are attractive for a wide range of applications in biology, chemistry, and medicine. At LAFT, we develop fully additively manufactured microfluidic systems using multimaterial 3D printing strategies — eliminating the need for cleanrooms or manual assembly steps. Our research addresses two key challenges: controlling (…)

Microsupercapacitors

Microsupercapacitors (MSCs) are attractive energy storage devices for integration into small microsystems such as IoT motes, wireless sensors, and wearables. Unlike batteries, they offer high power density, rapid charge/discharge, and virtually unlimited cycle life, making them ideal complements or replacements for micro-batteries in untethered microelectronic platforms.At LAFT, we pursue the creation of 100% additively manufactured (…)

Medical devices and manufacturing for biosystems

Biological systems require unique control of materials and interfaces to enable benefits to human health. We leverage our expertise in fabrication of complex microsystems to enable new applications in biology and medicine.

Devices for Biology and Medicine

Bottom-up small-scale 2D in vitro neuronal network studies

Despite extensive research and modelling, there is still a gap in our understanding of neurons — in particular in how they form networks. Using a bottom-up approach studying small-scale in vitro cultures, such as enforcing connections by physical constraints or quantifying self-assembled connections under electrical stimulation, we work towards building a solid understanding of universal (…)

Medical devices and manufacturing for biosystems

Devices for Energy and Fuel Production

Manufacturing for Space and Energy Generation Applications

Space exploration and energy generation using renewables both benefit from new manufacturing paradigms. In these applications, use of local resources is emphasized, and optimization of manufacturing to leverage available resources is critical. Here, we are pursuing a range of projects to leverage innovations in materials, processes, and device structures to achieve these goals.