The Integrated Actuators Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) received 12 million Swiss francs from the Werner Siemens Foundation to develop an innovative blood pump. Applied to the aorta as a cuff, the pump compresses the aorta when voltage is applied to create a difference in pressure, aiding in blood pumping. Patients are expected to benefit from the non-invasive nature of the technology. Once the pump is successfully developed and introduced into clinical practice, the laboratory will start developing other technologies funded by the grant: these include a urethral sphincter and facial muscles.