Carbon nanotubes boost efficiency in “nanobionic” bacterial solar cells

Engineers at EPFL have found a way to insert carbon nanotubes into photosynthetic bacteria, which greatly improves their electrical output. They even pass these nanotubes down to their offspring when they divide, through what the team calls “inherited … Continue reading Carbon nanotubes boost efficiency in “nanobionic” bacterial solar cells

First material found to “remember” its own history

Researchers at EPFL have discovered a material that seems to be able to “remember” all of its past encounters with stimuli, such as electrical currents. The compound could come in handy for better data storage and processing.Continue ReadingCategory: M… Continue reading First material found to “remember” its own history

Non-invasive brain stimulation helps older adults learn new motor skills

It’s unsurprising but unfortunate that as we get older, our capacity to learn new skills diminishes. But a new study by researchers at EPFL has found that non-invasive electrical brain stimulation can help older adults learn new motor skills much faste… Continue reading Non-invasive brain stimulation helps older adults learn new motor skills

Plant-based plastic strong as PET, degrades into sugars in the environment

Plastics are tough and versatile materials, which is great when they’re in use but not so good when they end up in the environment. Scientists at EPFL have now developed a new PET-like plastic material derived from waste plant matter that can be chemic… Continue reading Plant-based plastic strong as PET, degrades into sugars in the environment

Existing cancer drug boosts brain genes to improve memory and learning

Researchers at EPFL have found that an existing drug used to treat cancer, among other things, also seems to improve memory. Intriguingly, tests in mice show that the drug works by switching on genes associated with brain plasticity.Continue ReadingCat… Continue reading Existing cancer drug boosts brain genes to improve memory and learning

Existing cancer drug boosts brain genes to improve memory and learning

Researchers at EPFL have found that an existing drug used to treat cancer, among other things, also seems to improve memory. Intriguingly, tests in mice show that the drug works by switching on genes associated with brain plasticity.Continue ReadingCat… Continue reading Existing cancer drug boosts brain genes to improve memory and learning

EPFL’s super-fast 3D-printing technique makes resin objects in seconds

Researchers at EPFL have demonstrated a light-based 3D-printing method that’s about 30 times faster than conventional additive manufacturing, creating objects in 20 seconds that would normally take more like 10 minutes thanks to photocurable resins.Con… Continue reading EPFL’s super-fast 3D-printing technique makes resin objects in seconds

Emovo Grasp could help restore hand function to stroke victims

When someone has been left paralyzed by a stroke or brain injury, much of their recovery involves physically guiding the affected limb though the lost motion, so their brain can relearn it. A new exoskeleton does exactly that for the hand, and patients… Continue reading Emovo Grasp could help restore hand function to stroke victims

Sun-powered water filter excels at killing pathogens

There are many parts of the world in which fresh water may be plentiful, but it’s also full of harmful microbes. An experimental new filter is able to purify such water for drinking, and it’s powered solely by sunlight.Continue ReadingCategory: Good Th… Continue reading Sun-powered water filter excels at killing pathogens

DeepMind’s AI helps confine plasma for nuclear fusion research

Across decades of development, scientists have been pursuing nuclear fusion technology through endless experiments, calculations and simulations, trying to find the optimal mix of conditions for atoms to fuse and continually release huge amounts of ene… Continue reading DeepMind’s AI helps confine plasma for nuclear fusion research