Ultrastructure expansion microscopy (UExM) is an extension of expansion microscopy that allows the visualisation of preserved ultrastructures by optical microscopy. This method allows near-native expansion of various structures in vitro and in cells and, when combined with super-resolution microscopy, it reveals details of ultrastructural organisation, such as centriolar chirality, that could otherwise only be observed by electron microscopy.

This project involves the analysis of plankton from the Atlantea transatlantic expedition in the Caribbean and Greenland.
It is in partnership with the Dudin lab in Geneva, so you will need to travel to Geneva once a week. Transport should be paid for by the lab. This project is equivalent to a Master’s thesis (PDM).

                                Project description -> HERE <-

Recommended sections: SV,SIE…

Example of plankton images obtained by UExM :

The development of the gas monitoring station strives for a successful balance between affordability, functionality, and sustainability in the context of marine environmental monitoring. Designed to operate under the constraints of sailboat expeditions, the station aims to offer a compact, low-cost, and repairable solution for tracking key atmospheric pollutants—ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM)—along with solar irradiance. It also features humidity, temperature and pressure sensors to help fine tune and calibrate the gas sensors. The objective of the project is now the following: Complete the design, integration, and testing of a multi-sensor gas monitoring station. In particular, the project aims to address key areas of improvement identified during initial development phases, including mechanical sealing, electrical redesigns, software enhancements, and user access optimization.

Project description -> HERE <-

This project corresponds to approximately 10 credits.

Recommended sections: SIE, Energy, PH, MT, EL, Robotics, GM…

Raman spectroscopy – which analyses the light scattered by a laser beam on a sample – is a technique that can be used to identify plastics, as each plastic has a unique optical fingerprint. Furthermore, when coupled to a microscope, plastics down to < 1 μm in diameter can be studied. However, most commercial Ramanmicroscopes are bulky, expensive pieces of equipment not fit for use on a boat. The aim of this project is to perfect a low cost, small Raman microscope that can be used on a Sailowtech cruise and that identifies microplastics in samples. Several examples of low cost Raman systems exist in literature, though these have not been adapted for use on boats.

A first prototype of the Raman technology was achieved last semester. A database (OpenRamanDatabase) was developed.

However, challenges remain.

Project description -> HERE <-

This project corresponds to approximately 10 credits and is in partnership with the LNET laboratory.

Recommended sections: PH, MT, Robotics, GM, MX… 

— Coming soon —

An uncredited project in partnership with the SenseLab in Sion.