Bio-Inspired Technologies

EPFL’s School of Engineering is leading the charge in bio-inspired technologies, fostering innovations that draw inspiration from nature to solve complex engineering challenges. Our interdisciplinary teams are dedicated to designing and developing technologies that mimic biological systems to enhance performance and sustainability.

Learn more about Bio-inspired technologies

Bio-inspired technologies research at EPFL’s School of Engineering focuses on developing innovative materials, structures, and processes that emulate natural systems, driving advancements in engineering and sustainability.

Our experts

Our researchers excel in the development of bio-inspired materials, structures, and processes. Their work spans diverse applications, from robotics and materials science to energy systems and healthcare, leveraging nature’s principles to create efficient and adaptive solutions.

Our laboratories

Our cutting-edge laboratories are equipped to conduct groundbreaking research in bio-inspired technologies. These facilities support the synthesis and characterization of bio-inspired materials, the development of adaptive systems, and the application of these technologies in real-world scenarios.

Our spinoffs

Explore the forefront of innovation through our dynamic startups focused on bio-inspired technologies. These ventures, nurtured within EPFL’s ecosystem, are pioneering applications ranging from sustainable materials to advanced robotics.

Centers

We collaborate with leading research centers at EPFL to push the boundaries of bio-inspired technology. These partnerships facilitate interdisciplinary research and accelerate the translation of innovative concepts into practical applications.ted to propelling sustainable solutions forward. These collaborative hubs stand at the vanguard of research, catalyzing innovations in renewable energy, smart grids, and beyond.

Education

Discover unparalleled opportunities for education, research, and hands-on experience in bio-inspired technologies at the School of Engineering. Join the next generation of innovators and contribute to a future where nature-inspired solutions drive technological advancements and sustainability.

NEWS

Keep up with the latest breakthroughs and innovations in bio-inspired technologies from EPFL’s School of Engineering. Our researchers are pioneering nature-inspired solutions that span robotics, materials science, energy systems, and healthcare. Visit our news section for insights into the cutting-edge research shaping the future of bio-inspired engineering.

RAVEN (Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for multiple ENvironments) © Alain Herzog CC BY SA

Bird-inspired drone can jump for take-off

— EPFL researchers have built a drone that can walk, hop, and jump into flight with the aid of birdlike legs, greatly expanding the range of potential environments accessible to unmanned aerial vehicles.

Andras Kis, Edoardo Charbon, and Tobias Kippenberg © 2024 EPFL

Three STI professors win ERC Synergy Grants

— The European Research Council announced on Tuesday that professors Andras Kis, Edoardo Charbon, and Tobias Kippenberg of the EPFL School of Engineering (STI) have been awarded ERC Synergy Grants to tackle major scientific challenges.

The 2024 edition of the E3 program © EPFL

Apply to the E3 EPFL Excellence in Engineering Program 2025

— Are you interested in joining EPFL for an unforgettable research experience this summer? You can now register for the 2025 edition of E3! The application deadline is November 1st, 2024.

© iStock

Biomimetic membrane technology could impact multiple industries

— Researchers in the School of Engineering's Laboratory for Bio- and Nano-Instrumentation have contributed to a pioneering method for creating thin, energy-converting membranes that mimic the structure and function of biological cell membranes.

Guillaume Bellegarda, Milad Shafiee and Auke Ijspeert © Jamani Caillet

Trotting robots reveal emergence of animal gait transitions

— A four-legged robot trained with machine learning by EPFL researchers has learned to avoid falls by spontaneously switching between walking, trotting, and pronking – a milestone for roboticists as well as biologists interested in animal locomotion.

All news

VIDEOS

Watch our videos to gain insights from EPFL’s leading researchers in bio-inspired technologies. Learn about the latest advancements in nature-inspired materials, adaptive systems, and other groundbreaking applications. Join us as we explore the science and technology behind bio-inspired innovations and see how our work is transforming the future.

Unleashing the bio-inspired robot dog

Trotting robots reveal emergence of animal gait transitions

A robot recreates the walk of a 300-million-year-old fossilized animal

Swimming robot gives fresh insight into locomotion and neuroscience

A robot that runs like a cat

A new robot mimics vertebrate motion

Demonstrating our work done in AQUA lab!

An insect-inspired drone deforms upon impact

Raptor-inspired drone with morphing wing and tail

Meet Our Experts: Francesco Stellacci

V0048: To swim fast or go far? Answers from 1-guilla, the robotic eel

V0070 – Reconfiguring it out: how flexible structures interact with fluid flows