Research Centre of Digital Labs & Production
The research group Digital Labs & Production connects people, spaces and processes in the life sciences. From mixed-reality digital twins via progressive web applications to machine-to-machine interfaces, we connect physical and digital worlds through data and analytics.
About us
The centre combines specific methodological and technological expertise in the digitization and virtualization of laboratories, processes and production facilities in the life sciences. This includes, on the one hand, the networking of devices, processes and people using interfaces, data pipelines and data management and, on the other hand, the mapping of physical systems and infrastructures to models and simulation environments. Digital twins are a good example of how these topics interact.
Three research groups are active in this field.
Simulation & Optimization
Strategic, tactical and operational process optimization using modelling and simulation tools are the focus of the research group. This includes the modelling and simulation of the dynamics of heterogeneous, complex systems as well as the investigation, optimization and control of their behaviour.
Data Management & Visualization
The research group specializes in the development of systems for data aggregation, transformation and management. Processing pipelines are designed and implemented to take data from their sources (e.g. graphic user interfaces, wearable sensors, measuring probes) through preparation steps (incl. quality control and homogenization) to storage solutions, analysis and visualization of results and insights.
Edge Computing & Interfaces
The research group combines dynamic physical structures with digital environments using sensor, actuators, and edge computing. The group supports automation and decentralized intelligent data processing in the life sciences by connecting people, machines, and contexts.
Teaching Activites
The centre offers courses at BSc and MSc level in the fundamentals of data science, in mathematical and physical modelling (with a focus on simulation-based process optimization), in data management (with a focus on database technologies and visualization), and in physical computing (sensors and actuators) as well as cloud and edge computing.
The specialization Digital Labs & Production of the BSc ADLS is coordinated by this centre and corresponding Bachelor and Master theses are offered.
- Bachelor of Science (ZFH) in Applied Computational Life Sciences
- Master of Science in Life Sciences - Specialisation Applied Computational Life Sciences
In addition, the centre is involved in programs and activities in the field of science education beyond the university level and offers continuing education courses.
Team Digital Labs & Production
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Head of Research/Focus Area, Digital Labs & ...
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Head of Research/Focus Area, Digital Labs & ...
Projects
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Ecological Engineering Living Lab
In Ecological Engineering, the processes in nature serve as a model for developing new technologies. As in a natural ecosystem, where nutrients and water circulate, the researchers at ZHAW are developing closed-loop systems that function according to the same principle. The aim is to save resources and minimize the ...
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Fighting bites with bytes: Promoting public health with crowdsourced tick prevention
Ticks are on the rise and transmit several infectious diseases, leading to serious illness or even death. The smartphone App “Zecke–Tick Prevention helps people, to remember the tick bite location and to check it for potential Lyme disease symptoms. In an interdisciplinary approach, ZHAW-scientists want to find out ...
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Sustainable Food Chain Model
The goal of this project is the development of a model that calculates the environmental impacts of food systems. This is important to evaluate measures that reduce the resource consumption of food systems and avoid food waste. Through various user interfaces with different levels of complexity the model can be ...
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Digitisation in the outdoor facilities of Campus Grüental
Thanks to a native app, the learning opportunities offered by plant knowledge on the Grüental campus are to be optimised, made more attractive and expanded further. The app should be user-friendly and contain at least the following functions: Finding plants or leading intelligent activities on site Filter by ...
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3D chemistry - platform and app for classroom use and teaching - digitalization
Three-dimensional imagination is highly relevant for understanding the fundamentals of chemistry at university level. Especially when drawing molecular structures, it is important that students are able to imagine molecules/salts with the right geometry, so that the correct functioning in ...
Publications
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Zbinden, Erich; Eggel, Thomas,
2014.
Transfer.
2014(1), pp. 4.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-2781
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Burkhard, Marcel; Lötscher, Adrian,
2014.
Logistics Innovation.
2014(1), pp. 34-36.
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2013.
In:
Produktions- & Bedarfsplanung für die Lebensmittelindustrie, Langenthal, 13. März 2013.
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2012.
Faszination Simulation : Referat.
In:
20 Jahre Simulation an der Hochschule in Wädenswil, Wädenswil, 27. September 2012.
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Starostina, Tatiana; Lötscher, Adrian,
2011.
Simulation des Messezentrums Beaulieu Lausanne.
Transfer.
2011(3), pp. 7.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-22271