Soft bioelectronic interfaces: Materials, Technology and Applications

Date
Apr 9, 2018, 4:30 pm4:30 pm
Location
B205 Engineering Quadrangle

Speaker

Details

Event Description

Abstract:
In the face of aging population and increase of chronic medical conditions, there is a need for a novel set of biomedical technologies. Medical devices can help diagnose, prevent, and treat a variety of these conditions. However, those available for clinical and therapeutical use often follow the “one size fits all” definition. Yet, each individual is different with his/her very own anatomy, physiology and cognition - features that also evolve with age.
In this context, we are exploring novel device materials and their associated technologies to design and manufacture soft bioelectronic interfaces. They are broadly defined as microfabricated devices, distributed over large-areas, and with mechanical properties suited to comply the soft and dynamic biological tissues.  We engineer sets of materials that combine mechanical compliance, electrical function, and biocompatibility. We borrow and adjust microfabrication techniques to manipulate and integrate the soft materials into devices.  We develop advanced multimodal characterization tools to establish the performance and reliability of the soft microsystems. Our research is by essence interdisciplinary and offers exciting opportunities, especially in wearable electronics and neuroprosthetic medicine.
 
Bio:
Stéphanie P. Lacour holds the Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Neuroprosthetic Technology at the School of Engineering at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. She received her PhD in Electrical Engineering from INSA de Lyon, France, and completed postdoctoral research at Princeton University (USA) and the University of Cambridge (UK).  She joined EPFL in 2011. Since January 2017, she is full professor in Microengineering and Bioengineering at EPFL.  She is a co-founding member and current director of EPFL Center for Neuroprosthetics, now located at EPFL satellite – Campus Biotech in Geneva.
She is the recipient of the 2006 MIT TR35, the 2011 Zonta award, the 2014 WEF Young Scientist, and she was selected as one of the 2015 World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders.