Environmental Engineering Institute – IIE

IIE research units pioneer adaptation to environmental changes as part of sustainable design. Our emphasis is on translational science based upon rigorous understanding our environment, seamless integration of data and models, humans as integral parts of environmental systems, and development of novel, leading-edge technologies. More…

Snowboarder Mathieu Schaer narrowly escaping a slab avalanche. © Ruedi Flück

SLAB: Physics of snow slab avalanches similar to that of earthquakes

Research

Scientists from EPFL and the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF have gained deeper insight into how snow slab avalanches form, paving the way to more effective risk assessment measures for these catastrophic events that induce more avalanche accidents and fatalities every year than other types of avalanches.

Le bâteau de l'expédition Sea Plastics © Jamani Caillet/EPFL

GR-CEL: Science is revealing the scale of microplastic pollution

EPFL

Plastics are everywhere in our environment, even inside living organisms. This article looks at the impact of this major pollution risk and accompanies our report on the SEA Plastics expedition, which is currently crisscrossing the Mediterranean to raise awareness of the issue. 

Stéphane Joost and Noemi Romano. © Alain Herzog / EPFL

LASIG: Scientists apply genetic methods to linguistics

Research

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.

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