Digging deeper

Swiss energy study shows transformative potential of decentralization

Published:05.04.24 — Researchers from EPFL and HES-SO Valais Wallis have published a study outlining a path to a more sustainable energy future for Switzerland. The study emphasizes the importance of local energy solutions, and the role of decentralized systems for community empowerment.

Nanodevices can produce energy from evaporating tap or seawater

Published:04.04.24 — EPFL researchers have discovered that nanoscale devices harnessing the hydroelectric effect can harvest electricity from the evaporation of fluids with higher ion concentrations than purified water, revealing a vast untapped energy potential.

Hydropower is a cornerstone of renewable energy

Published:22.03.24 — 22 March is the World Water Day. Water power has so much more to offer. Engineers are working hard to both expand this form of clean energy and make better use of existing hydropower plants.

Getting hydrogen out of ammonia

Published:07.03.24 — Kevin Turani-I-Belloto has developed a low-cost method for breaking down ammonia to produce hydrogen. He’s just been awarded a Bridge grant to develop a proof of concept for his technology.

AI-driven method helps improve quality assurance for wind turbines

Published:22.02.24 — An international collaboration between EPFL and the University of Glasgow has led to an advanced machine-learning algorithm to effectively detect concealed manufacturing defects in wind turbine composite blades – before turbines are put into service.

Energy Strategy 2050: the potential of millions of Swiss rooftops

Published:20.02.24 — Five million rooftops in Switzerland – more than half of the nationwide total – are suitable for generating power. A review of two solar photovoltaic development strategies has shown that combining the two approaches could cause over two-thirds of Swiss towns and cities to become energy self-sufficient.

Turning glass into a ‘transparent' light-energy harvester

Published:29.01.24 — EPFL physicists propose a novel way to create photoconductive circuits, where the circuit is directly patterned onto a glass surface with femtosecond laser light. The new technology may one day be useful for harvesting energy, while remaining transparent to light and using a single material.

New technology can collect CO2 from a truck's exhaust pipe

Published:21.11.23 — EPFL spin-off Qaptis has developed a system that can cut freight trucks’ carbon emissions by up to 90%. The company just installed a prototype of its technology at a freight carrier based in Tolochenaz in order to conduct pilot tests locally.

Ultrathin films achieve record hydrogen separation

Published:04.10.23 — Scientists at EPFL have synthesized the first ever metal-organic frameworks membrane with thickness of just one unit cell. The ultrathin film yields record-high separation performance of hydrogen–nitrogen.

Bacteria generate electricity from wastewater

Published:11.09.23 — In a breakthrough for the field of bioelectronics, researchers at EPFL have enhanced the ability of E. coli bacteria to generate electricity. The innovative approach offers a sustainable solution for organic waste processing while outperforming previous state-of-the-art technologies, opening new horizons for versatile microbial electricity production.