Anesthetic drugs affect the brain. But to tell if a patient will remain unconscious during surgery, most anesthesiologists rely on heart rate, breathing rate and movement. Algorithms could improve this process.

An international research team with Empa participation has developed a drone that can glide through water as well as fly through the air. To save energy, it attaches itself to other objects for a ride.

A new artificial intelligence recognises plastic in the sea from satellite images. This could help to systematically remove plastic waste from the oceans using ships.

Researchers have made a breakthrough in filtering interference from radar sensors used in autonomous driving: the results far surpass the current state of the art.

Shalev Lifshitz is the world’s youngest AI researcher. In this interview he explains how conflicts between humankind and machines can be solved.

Thomas Crowther believes that data is key to combating climate change. The British ecologist found out that there are many more trees on earth than scientists previously believed. But still, 3 trillion are not enough. The potential for reforestation is enormous, says the renowned expert. At the Crowther Lab in Zurich, he is developing nature-based solutions to restore the global ecosystem.

At high altitudes the wind is much stronger. Empa researchers want to harness the energy slumbering in the wind with the aid of kites. The technology would be particularly suitable for generating electricity in remote areas.

The first algorithm was devised a century before the invention of the computer. It was developed by Ada Lovelace. Born into British aristocracy, her visionary ideas foreshadowed the digital age.

Robots, journeys into space, and flying cars: Which visions out of science fiction movies have become reality? The classics of the genre in a “reality check”.