EPFL Research Day in Neuchâtel
EPFL Neuchâtel
The EPFL Research Day at Microcity in Neuchâtel took place on 11 September 2019, marking EPFL’s 50th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of its Neuchâtel campus.
The event was held in two parts:
EPFL Research Day
09:30 – 14:00
The event was dedicated to scientific research, innovation and technology transfer, with a particular focus on the work carried out at Microcity in the fields of health, microsystems, photovoltaïcs and watch-making. Several key actors of the region, including partners from industry and founders of startups from EPFL labs, showcased the strong links between EPFL and the Neuchâtel ecosystem. Future perspectives for the campus were outlined.
10 years of EPFL in Neuchâtel
14:00 – 18:00
In the afternoon, concrete examples of current research projects and startups were presented, followed by laboratory visits and a festive aperitif.
09:30-10:00 – Arrival and registration
Event moderator: Andreas Mortensen, Vice-President for Research
10:00-10:15 – Welcome
Martin Vetterli, President of EPFL
Alain Ribaux, President of the Government, Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel
10:15-10:25 – The Neuchâtel ecosystem and EPFL
Jean-Nathanaël Karakash, State Councillor and Head of the Department of Economy and Social Action, Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel
10:25-10:35 – EPFL’s School of Engineering in Neuchâtel
Ali Sayed, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences and Technology
10:35-10:55 – Retrospective: 10 years of EPFL in Neuchâtel
The history of EPFL in Neuchâtel
Marcella Giovannini, Deputy Director, Institute of Microtechnology (ITM)
Vision of the future
Christian Enz, Professor and Director of the Institute of Microtechnology (ITM)
10:55-11:05 – The Microcity ecosystem: University of Neuchâtel
Kilian Stoffel, Rector, University of Neuchâtel
11:05-11:15 – The Microcity ecosystem: HE-Arc
Philippe Grize, Director of the Engineering Department, HE-Arc
11:15-11:35 – Coffee break
11:35-11:45 – The Microcity ecosystem: CSEM
Mario El Khoury, Director, CSEM
11:45-11:55 – The Microcity ecosystem: Microcity SA
Caroline Heid, President, Microcity SA
“Microcity SA : a new impetus in the Neuchatel ecosystem”
11:55-12:05 – The Microcity ecosystem: Micro-Fabrication Research Centre (M2C)
Bruno Studach, Operations Director, M2C
12:05-12:15 – The Microcity ecosystem: Richemont
Guillaume Pictet, Board of Directors member, Richemont SA
12:15-12:25 – Research and innovation at EPFL Microcity: Centre for artificial muscles
Yves Perriard, Professor and Head of the Integrated Actuator Laboratory (IAL)
12:25-12:35 – Research and innovation at EPFL Microcity: Patek Philippe Chair
Simon Henein, Professor and Director of the Micromechanical and Horological Design Laboratory (INSTANT-LAB), holder of the Patek Philippe Chair
“Quality and flexibility in mechanical watchmaking”
12:35-12:40 – Conclusion
Andreas Mortensen, Vice-President for Research
12:40-14:00 – Festive aperitif
Event moderator: Marcella Giovannini, Deputy Director, Institute of Microtechnology (ITM)
14:00-18:00 – Overview of current research at EPFL Neuchâtel
All teachers and MERS
15:00-15:10 – Startup: PI Imaging Technology SA
Ivan Michel Antolovic, Scientific Associate, Quantum Architecture Laboratory (AQUA) and co-founder of PI Imaging Technology SA
15:10-15:20 – Startup: Senbiosys
Antonino Caizzone, scientific collaborator, Integrated Circuit Laboratory (ICLAB) and co-founder of Senbiosys
Assim Boukhayma, scientific collaborator, Integrated Circuit Laboratory (ICLAB) and co-founder of Senbiosys
15:20-15:40 – Example of a collaborative success: SPOT
Charles Baur, Senior Scientist, Micromechanical and Horological Design Laboratory (INSTANT-LAB)
Thomas J. Wolfensberger, Medical Director and Head of Department, Jules Gonin Ophthalmic Hospital and Professor, University of Lausanne
15:40-16:00 – Pause and separation in groups for visits
16:00-17:00 – Laboratory visits
17:00-18:00 – Aperitif