Micromechanical and Horological Design Laboratory

The Micromechanical and Horological Design Laboratory (Instant-Lab) is located on the EPFL-Neuchâtel Campus (Switzerland), within the Microcity building. The laboratory is directed by Prof. Simon Henein and currently consists of a dozen senior scientists, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students. The laboratory’s specialty is the creation of new mechanisms featuring kinematic and technological innovation at the centimetre scale. The scientific approach is inspired from mechanical design in fields such as new and classical horology, robotics and aerospace. Current projects apply to mechanical watchmaking, biomedical instrumentation, and aerospace mechanisms, these fields being quite close, both technologically and in their industrial fabric. From 2012 till 2020, Prof. Simon Henein has been holder of the Patek Philippe Endowed Chair. Beyond the laboratory’s academic mission to pursue excellence in fundamental research and teaching, the laboratory has strong ties with the industry and therefore welcomes collaboration with all its industrial partners.