Research presented consistently through multiple dimensions.
Consistent research across diverse dimensions can significantly broaden our understanding. Although it is a challenging endeavor, I find it to be exceptionally fulfilling.
This page showcases examples of multidisciplinary synthesis reports that I have designed. In creating these reports, I examined the interconnections across different scales of matter. This investigation resulted in the formulation of a method intended to catalyze innovation.
The first step of the method consists in the building of an unbiased perspective: a systemic vision.
The decision-making skills developed in the financial markets applied to research.
I then applied this approach to the results of both basic and applied research. As I progressed along this journey, I was pleased to discover that my capacity to learn and focus was extensive, enabling me to quickly gain an insightful overview. This is how I developed the idea to gather all potentials in one vision: a Panoramic Vision.
Below are some examples of mandates developed within the framework of a Systemic Vision.
Applied research report
"The electron journey: from hydrogen to large organizations"
In 2020, I undertook the design and creation of a written presentation for the canton of Valais. The objective was to identify and detail all applied research activities within the energy sector.
The final document provides a comprehensive overview of 28 facets of applied research, demonstrating their interrelationships as well as their association with nine dimensions of fundamental research outlined below.
Basic research report
At the beginning of 2019, the operational director of the EPFL Valais-Wallis branch, Mr. Marc-André Berclaz, asked me to present a report on the first four years of EPFL Valais-Wallis.
The result of this “carte blanche” is a 100-page report that gets very positive feedback from both researchers and readers. The research topics covered are as follows:
The summary:
- “Laboratory of Molecular Simulation” is led by Professor Berend Smit. He introduces me to the two sides of molecular chemistry: theory and practice gathered in the same lab. I also meet six of his PhD students and post-docs, all very bright. Together, they build the algorithms that shape virtual materials in order to synthesize only the most promising nanoporous materials.
- At the “Laboratory of Physical and Analytical Electrochemistry“, Professor Hubert Girault describes to me in a very pictorial way the activities at the liquid-air, liquid-liquid and liquid-lipid-air interfaces. Pressure differentials are constantly in play to establish a dynamic equilibrium. I understand the importance of membranes, whether in the human body or in batteries. Electrochemistry is both inspiring and stimulating .
- The “Laboratory of Materials for Renewable Energy” is a joint lab of EPFL and EMPA. Led by Professor Andreas Züttel, his lab is specialized in the storage of hydrogen in hydrides and nanostructures. Thus, his experiments facilitate the understanding of surprising activities at gas-metal interfaces. With his team, they also reduce carbon dioxide to make fuel or synthetic oils.
- “The Group for Molecular Engineering of Functional Materials” is led by Professor Mohammad Khaja Nazeeruddin. He plans to design perovskite solar cells that can be produced anywhere in the world.
“Laboratory for Functional Inorganic Materials“, led by Professor Wendy Queen, manufactures absorbent materials with fascinating properties. These range from the localized administration of drugs into the human body, to the absorption of carbon dioxide. Finally, one of them is designed for the absorption of fine gold particles.
- “Laboratory of Nanochemistry for Energy” is led by Professor Raffaella Buonsanti. In a nutshell, she and her team are synthesizing nanocrystals that will catalyze chemical reactions such as the conversion of carbon dioxide. The shape of these nanocrystals is key to promoting certain functions.
- “Laboratory of Advanced Separations” is led by Professor Kumar Varoon Agrawal. In short, he designs filters and membranes. One of them is in two dimensions and graphene; it has the particularity to make the size of an atom. Thus, its filters and membranes are intended to purify and separate elements such as oxygen or hydrogen.
- “Industrial Process and Energy Systems Engineering” led by Professor François Maréchal, this research unit imagines the processes and energy systems of tomorrow. With his team, they design and propose decision-making tools.
- “Group of Energy Materials“ is led by Professor Jan Van Herle. Its group develops materials for solid oxide technology, a type of fuel cell that operates at temperatures between 600 and 800°C. They are useful for converting surplus solar electricity into gas and producing heat and electricity from the gas when needed.
- “Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering Brain Mind Institute“ is led by Professor Friedhelm Hummel. Together with his teams, he develops the algorithmic tools that determine the best rehabilitation program for a stroke. He is also devoted to the study of good aging and different brain waves.
- “Center of Neuroprosthetics (CNP)“ is represented in the report by the portrait of Docteur Michaela Bassolino. Then affiliated to the chair of Professor Olaf Blanke in Geneva, she diagnoses and accompanies patients in Sion in the integration of their body consciousness. Professor Grégoire Courtine is also present on this site with robotic suspensions to treat patients with spinal cord injuries.
- “River Ecosystems Laboratory“ is led by Professor Tom Battin, a specialist in biofilms, who focuses on bacteria in rivers and extreme environments. Together with his team, he deduces carbon flows that feed global climate study models.
Articles on AI research
Idiap : annual report 2017
Interviews with researchers and writing articles
Idiap is an artificial intelligence research institute based in Martigny. In 2017, its director, Professor Hervé Bourlard, brings his vision of artificial intelligence. This institute has hosted internationally renowned researchers such as Samy Bengio and David Barber.
Here, the themes and researchers interviewed are designated by the project management team. Here are some highlights from the 2017 IDIAP report:
- “MEMMO – A memory of movement so that a robot can adapt quickly.” Presentation of the activities of the group dedicated to learning robots and their interactions led by senior researcher Sylvain Calinon.
- “Martigny at the heart of a European network for language studies”. TAPAS is a European Union project on speech pathologies run by the Idiap institute. Interview with senior researcher Mathew Magimai Doss from the speech and hearing process group. He is leading this great project that he has envisioned and proposed successfully.
- “Idiap is in the move: a new platform to capture what’s moving and validate search results”. A platform called Multi-Modal-Data, supervised by senior researcher Michael Liebling.
- “From MIT to Martigny, the odyssey of a global researcher passionate about language, the American researcher James Henderson leads the research group Natural Language Understanding“.