Electrical and electronic engineering

Engineers at EPFL have developed a method for reading several qubits – the smallest unit of quantum data – at the same time. Their discovery paves the way to a new generation of even more powerful quantum computers.

Quantum effects in superconductors could give semiconductor technology a new twist. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI and Cornell University in New York State have identified a composite material that could integrate quantum devices into semiconductor technology, making electronic components significantly more powerful. They publish their findings today in the journal Science Advances.

Intelligent packaging with sensors that monitor goods, such as vegetables, on long transport routes is a trend for the future. Yet printed and disposable electronics also cause problems: Metals in printing inks are expensive – and disposing of them in an environmentally sound manner is costly and exacerbates the problem of electronic waste. A new solution from Empa researchers aims to remedy this.

Digital twins are computer-based models of an object or even a human organ, and the technology behind them is advancing at a rapid pace. EPFL will host a series of talks and seminars on this topic at its Digital Twin Days on 15 and 16 November. An ideal opportunity to learn more about the work EPFL researchers are doing in this pioneering field.

Valerio Piazza is creating new 3D architectures built from an inventive form of nanowire. His research aims to push the boundaries of miniaturization and pave the way to more powerful electronic devices. He has just won the 2020 Piaget Scientific Award, whose prize money will fund his work at EPFL for a year.

A revolutionary implant developed at EPFL allows neuroscientists to activate or inhibit specific spinal-cord neurons by applying light at a specific wavelength. It will give researchers insight into how the nervous system works and the chance to develop new ways of treating neurological disorders.