Patents Assigned to EPFL
  • Patent number: 10593125
    Abstract: We disclose a method for synthesizing by computer an artwork where 2D and 3D contents are integrated within a same composition. Such an artwork creates plausible effects for the viewers by showing a different relationship between 2D and 3D at each viewing angle. Methods are proposed for ensuring the continuity between the 2D and the 3D parts in terms of mesh geometry and reflected colors. The user selects from a given scene a region of interest (ROI) to be reproduced in 3D. A flat rendering grid is created that matches the topology and tesselation of the ROI. The ROI is attached to the rendering grid. To enhance the continuity between the 2D and the 3D parts of a scene object, the 2D part of the object can be represented as bas-relief. Designers can create 2D-3D sculpture paintings for decoration, exhibitions, and homes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Fėdérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Sami Arpa, Sabine Süsstrunk, Roger D. Hersch
  • Patent number: 10585398
    Abstract: A mechanical isotropic harmonic oscillator including a two rotational degrees of freedom linkage supporting an orbiting mass with respect to a fixed base with at least one spring element having isotropic and linear restoring force properties, such that a high degree of spring stiffness and reduced mass isotropy provides for reduced sensitivity to linear and angular accelerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Simon Henein, Lennart Rubbert, Ilan Vardi
  • Publication number: 20200075789
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell comprising a heterojunction photoelectric device comprising, a front electrode layer, a back electrode layer comprising a metallic contact layer, a light-absorbing silicon layer arranged between said front electrode and said back electrode layers and a doped silicon-based layer arranged between said light-absorbing silicon layer and said back electrode layer, characterized in that said heterojunction photoelectric device further comprises a wide band gap material layer having an electronic band gap greater than 1.4 eV, said wide band gap material layer being applied on a surface of the light-absorbing silicon layer between said light-absorbing silicon layer and said doped silicon-based layer. The present heterojunction layer or stack of layers is compatible with thermal annealing and firing processes at T above 600° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Philipp LÖPER, Andrea INGENITO, Christophe BALLIF, Gizem NOGAY
  • Patent number: 10581613
    Abstract: Data storage and retrieval systems, methods, and computer-readable media utilize a cryptographically verifiable data structure that facilitates verification of a transaction in a decentralized peer-to-peer environment using multi-hop backwards and forwards links. Backward links are cryptographic hashes of past records. Forward links are cryptographic signatures of future records that are added retroactively to records once the target block has been appended to the data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Bryan Ford, Linus Gasser, Eleftherios Kokoris Kogias, Philipp Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 10569248
    Abstract: The invention relates to titanium oxide aerogels, in particular to titanium oxide binary or ternary (e.g. titanium oxide-carbon) aerogel monoliths possessing ordered meso- and macroporosity. The porous scaffold can be made with or without addition of binders and/or surfactants. The aerogel obtained by this method has a specific surface area greater than 60 m2/g and porosity larger than 60%. The surface area ranges from 60 to 300 m2/g. The porosity can reach as high as 99.6%. The size of the titanium oxide crystals are between 5 nm and 100 nm. The aerogel contains 100% titanium oxide. The composite (binary or ternary) aerogel can be prepared by adding at least 10% carbon in the form of (carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, carbon microfibers, exfoliated graphene, cellulose fibers, polymer fibers, metallic and metal oxide nano and microfibers etc.). The aerogel can be prepared with a predeterminable shape. It can be shaped in a mold having a shape of a cylinder, cube, sheet or sphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Endre Horváth, László Forró, Arnaud Magrez
  • Patent number: 10552709
    Abstract: A method for training a feature detector of an image processing device, including the steps of detecting features in the image to generate a score map, computing a center of mass on the score map to generate a location, extracting a patch from the image at the location by a first spatial transformer, estimating an orientation of the patch, rotating the patch in accordance with the patch orientation with a second spatial transformer, and describing the rotated patch to create a description vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Pascal Fua, Vincent Lepetit, Eduard Fortuny Trulls, Kwang Moo Yi
  • Patent number: 10546737
    Abstract: A method of analyzing molecules, comprising: generating ions from a sample of molecules; cooling the generated ions below ambient temperature; fragmenting at least some of the cooled ions by irradiating the ions with light at a plurality of different wavelengths (?) within one or more predetermined spectral intervals; recording a fragment mass spectrum of the fragmented ions comprising a detected signal (I) versus m/z over a predetermined range of m/z values for each of the plurality of different wavelengths (?), thereby recording a two-dimensional dependency of the detected signal (I) on m/z and irradiation wavelength (?); and determining from the recorded two-dimensional dependency an identity of at least one of the generated ions and/or relative abundances of different generated ions and thereby determining an identity of at least of one of the molecules and/or relative abundances of different molecules in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignees: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Alexander Makarov, Oleg Boyarkine, Vladimir Kopysov
  • Publication number: 20200027279
    Abstract: We disclose a method for synthesizing by computer an artwork where 2D and 3D contents are integrated within a same composition. Such an artwork creates plausible effects for the viewers by showing a different relationship between 2D and 3D at each viewing angle. Methods are proposed for ensuring the continuity between the 2D and the 3D parts in terms of mesh geometry and reflected colors. The user selects from a given scene a region of interest (ROI) to be reproduced in 3D. A flat rendering grid is created that matches the topology and tesselation of the ROI. The ROI is attached to the rendering grid. To enhance the continuity between the 2D and the 3D parts of a scene object, the 2D part of the object can be represented as bas-relief. Designers can create 2D-3D sculpture paintings for decoration, exhibitions, and homes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Sami Arpa, Sabine Süsstrunk, Roger D. Hersch
  • Patent number: 10529498
    Abstract: An organic-inorganic perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 nanowire showing a length-width aspect ratio from 5-400 up to 109 and a width-height ratio of 1-100 up to 1-10000. Further, the invention is embodied as a process for making the nanowire wherein at least a polar aprotic solvents is used, the polar aprotic solvent being at least one from the list comprising DMF, DMSO, and DMAc solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LUASANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Endre Horváth, László Forró, Massimo Spina
  • Patent number: 10515767
    Abstract: The invention discloses a perovskite solar cell and a method of fabrication thereof. The perovskite solar cell sequentially comprises a transparent electrode, a mesoporous P-I-N framework and a counter electrode from the bottom to top; the mesoporous P-I-N framework is composed of an n-type semiconductor layer, an insulating layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer in a sequentially stacked mode, and the n-type semiconductor layer, the insulating layer and the p-type semiconductor layer all comprise mesopores filled with a perovskite material. The preparation method sequentially includes preparing the mesoporous P-I-N framework on a transparent conductive substrate through a spin-coating method or a screen printing method, filling with the perovskite material and preparing the counter electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignees: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL), HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Mingkui Wang, Kun Cao, Jin Cui, Zhixiang Zuo, Yan Shen, Shaik Mohammad Zakeeruddin, Michael Graetzel
  • Patent number: 10509945
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitative measurement of a biomarker by in situ immunofluorescence and uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a method which is a useful tool for use in the field of diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of disease or disorders, in particular in the field of cancer management and therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Diego Gabriel Dupouy, Ata Tuna Ciftlik, Deborah Heintze, Martin Gijs
  • Patent number: 10510447
    Abstract: A mechanical teleoperated device for remote manipulation includes a slave unit having a number of slave links interconnected by a plurality of slave joints; an end-effector connected to the slave unit; a master unit having a corresponding number of master links interconnected by a plurality of master joints; and a handle connected to a distal end of the master unit. The device further includes first device arranged to kinematically connect the slave unit with the master unit, second device arranged to kinematically connect the end-effector with the handle, and a mechanical constraint device configured to ensure that one master link of the master unit is guided along its longitudinal axis so that the corresponding slave link of the slave unit always translates along a virtual axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guided master link in the vicinity of the remote manipulation when the mechanical teleoperated device is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Ricardo Daniel Rita Beira, Lionel Flaction
  • Patent number: 10500236
    Abstract: The invention relates to a food supplement comprising or consisting of Archaebacteria, and particularly methanogenic Archaebacteria, to be used as a probiotic adjunct for animal feed. The supplement can be provided to e.g. farmed animals in addition to standard feed or as a food composition. Such a supplement is particularly useful in aquaculture and proves able in increasing animal growth rates, reducing animal susceptibility to parasitic infections and/or ameliorating animal faecal waste impact on environment. Also encompassed by the present invention are methods of manufacturing a composition comprising the bioactive food supplement as well as uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Duncan-Bruce Sutherland, Mario Michael Zaiss
  • Patent number: 10488879
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system including a solar cell having a hysteretic behavior; and a power device configured to extract a maximum power from the solar cell by forcing power oscillations of the power output by the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Norman Pellet, Fabrizio Giordano, Shaik Mohammed Zakeeruddin, Michael Grätzel
  • Patent number: 10475392
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of method of relighting a media item comprising media elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Niranjan Thanikachalam, Loic Arnaud Baboulaz, Damien Firmenich, Sabine Suesstrunk, Martin Vetterli
  • Patent number: 10471155
    Abstract: Peptides that specifically bind erythrocytes are described. These are provided as peptidic ligands having sequences that specifically bind, or as antibodies or fragments thereof that provide specific binding, to erythrocytes. The peptides may be prepared as molecular fusions with therapeutic agents, tolerizing antigens, or targeting peptides. Immunotolerance may be created by use of the fusions and choice of an antigen on a substance for which tolerance is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Stephan Kontos, Karen Y. Dane
  • Publication number: 20190333635
    Abstract: A mechanical teleoperated device for remote manipulation includes a slave unit having a number of slave links interconnected by a plurality of slave joints; an end-effector connected to the slave unit; a master unit having a corresponding number of master links interconnected by a plurality of master joints; and a handle connected to a distal end of the master unit. The device further includes first device arranged to kinematically connect the slave unit with the master unit, second device arranged to kinematically connect the end-effector with the handle, and a mechanical constraint device configured to ensure that one master link of the master unit is guided along its longitudinal axis so that the corresponding slave link of the slave unit always translates along a virtual axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guided master link in the vicinity of the remote manipulation when the mechanical teleoperated device is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Ricardo Daniel Rita BEIRA, Lionel FLACTION
  • Publication number: 20190324398
    Abstract: Mechanical oscillator comprising: an inertial body having a primary moment of inertia I about a first (y) and second (z) orthogonal axes, and a secondary moment of inertia J about a third axis (x, P) orthogonal to each of said first (y) and second (z) axes; and an elastic system arranged to apply a restoring torque ? to said inertial body, said restoring torque ? acting to urge said inertial body towards a resting position, said elastic system being arranged such that said inertial body has substantially two degrees of freedom in rotation, one of said degrees of freedom being around said first axis (y) and another of said degrees of freedom being around said second axis (z), and substantially zero degrees of freedom in translation According to the invention, the ratio of secondary moment of inertia J to primary moment of inertia/substantially obeys the equation: J I = 2 ? k 3 k 1 + 4 / 3 and said restoring torque r substantially obeys the equation: ?(?)=k1?+k3?3+k5?5+ . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mohammad Hussein KAHROBAIYAN, Ilan VARDI, Simon HENEIN
  • Publication number: 20190319150
    Abstract: In the present invention a new solar photovoltaic module is proposed comprising a solar cell comprising a silicon layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to said first surface. The solar cell further comprises a passivating layer stack comprising a heterogeneous layer arranged on said first surface and/or on said second surface. The heterogeneous layer, having a back surface and a front surface, comprises a non-conducting matrix having a refractive index being lower than 3.0. The heterogeneous layer further comprises inclusions of at least one conductive material in said matrix, and at least some of said inclusions extend from said back surface to said front surface of the heterogeneous layer for electrically connecting the surfaces of the heterogeneous layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Philipp LÖPER, Josua STÜCKELBERGER, Christophe BALLIF, Franz-Joseph HAUG, Philippe WYSS
  • Patent number: 10448514
    Abstract: A method produces a conductive paste comprising 15-20% by weight of PDMS and 80-85% by weight of metallic micro-nano particles, wherein the conductive paste is obtained by repeated addition of singular doses of PDMS to a heptane diluted PDMS low viscosity liquid containing the metallic micro-nano particles, wherein the heptane fraction is allowed to evaporate after addition of each of the singular doses of PDMS. A method forms a conductive path on a support layer, wherein the conductive path is encapsulated by an encapsulation layer comprising at least one via through which at least one portion of the conductive path is exposed, the method comprising filling the at least one via with the conductive paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Ivan Rusev Minev, Stephanie P. Lacour