IDUN

Iðunn (often anglicized as Idun or Idunn) is a prominent goddess in Norse mythology, primarily associated with youth, spring, and rejuvenation. She is a member of the Æsir tribe of gods and is the wife of Bragi, the god of poetry.

The Golden Apples

Iðunn's most crucial role in the Norse pantheon is as the keeper and dispenser of the golden apples. These apples are the vital source of the Æsir's eternal youth and vitality. Without them, the gods—including powerful figures like Odin and Thor—would rapidly age and weaken, losing their divine strength and immortality.

The Abduction

The most famous myth involving Iðunn is her abduction by the jötunn (giant) Þjazi (Thiazi). The trickster god Loki was forced by Þjazi to lure Iðunn out of Asgard with the promise of more beautiful apples. Þjazi, disguised as an eagle, seized her and took her to Jötunheimr.

Upon her disappearance, the gods in Asgard quickly began to grow old and gray. Realizing the indispensable nature of her apples, they compelled Loki to rescue her. Loki transformed into a falcon, found Iðunn, turned her into a nut (or sparrow), and flew her back to Asgard, where Þjazi, in pursuit, was defeated and killed by the gods. The immediate restoration of youth to the Æsir upon Iðunn's return underscores her fundamental importance to the survival of the divine world.

IDUN Technologies

IDUN is also the name of a Swiss-based biosensor company, spun off from ETH Zurich. This company focuses on developing advanced technology for monitoring human biopotentials.

In-Ear EEG and Biopotential Sensors

IDUN Technologies specializes in soft, dry, and skin-friendly conductive electrodes (branded as DRYODE™) for measuring biopotentials like Electroencephalography (EEG for brain activity), Electrocardiography (ECG for heart activity), and Electromyography (EMG for muscle activity).

Their current focus is on in-ear EEG, developing sophisticated earbud devices (often called "hearables") that can accurately measure and process brain signals. The goal is to make EEG brain activity an accessible, common biomarker—much like heart rate—to provide personalized insights into areas such as sleep quality, focus, emotion, and wellness. The company partners with device manufacturers and enterprises, aiming to create a global brain data platform that bridges human-computer interaction.