Projects of the Research group Aquaculture Systems

Local food for the future (LOFT)

The project aims to improve vertical farming production and operational efficiency by combining innovative production know-how and technologies with enhanced sustainability. The approach will establish the feasibility and profitability of sustainable, year-round production of high-quality crops.

completed, 02/2022 - 01/2025
CTI Gotthard water

Developement of standards for the production of burbot and pike-perch in temperated water of the Gotthard-tunnel in Erstfeld

completed, 12/2014 - 03/2017
Sustainable cultivation of microalgae for energy production

SCCER BIOSWEET

completed, 01/2014 - 12/2016
Development of analytical methods specific to aquaculture

The aim of this project is to establish and further develop analytical methods specific to aquaculture so that they can be used in future projects. The methods to be established are: / Trace analysis for off-flavour detection: an existing method for measuring geosmin and 2-MIB in water samples…

completed, 01/2023 - 12/2024
Introducing Aquaponic in VET: Tools, Teaching Units and Teacher Training (AQUAVET) (AQUAVET)

Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation Project (Lifelong Learning Programme)

completed, 10/2012 - 12/2014
SAMAKI AFYA: Facilitating economic viability of fish farms through better fish health

The SAMAKI AFYA project aims to improve the health of fish and the profitability of farms through interdisciplinary co-operation.

completed, 02/2024 - 02/2025
Sustainable Carotenoids from Microalgae

Development of methods for the sustainable production of carotenoids from microalgae. Strengthening the existing partnership with the Iranian project partner.

ongoing, 09/2024 - 09/2025
Underground mission: Soilless crop cultivation

The project aims to answer the question of whether it is possible to use an underground cavern for crop production in an economical and sustainable way by using the benefits of underground climate.

completed, 02/2023 - 11/2023
Sustainable algal proteins produced on potato and other controlled agri-food streams (A'propos)

The supply of proteins for animal feed applications in Switzerland relies mainly on the import of soybean cake. Besides being an economical risk, this practice implies a shared responsibility for the associated environmental burdens. Protein-rich algae cultivated in non-arable soils with low water…

completed, 01/2023 - 02/2025
Novel method for geosmin reduction using probiotics in aquaculture

Novel method for geosmin reduction using probiotics in aquaculture: Upcycling of waste nutrients (backwash slurry of drum sieve filter) to biofloc which will further increase water quality by further nitrification process and simultaneously degradation of the above mentioned off flavor substances by…

completed, 05/2023 - 05/2024
INtegrated and Circular Technologies for Sustainable city region FOOD systems in Africa (INCiTiS-FOOD)

INCiTiS-FOOD (Integrated and Circular Technologies for Sustainable city region FOOD systems in Africa) is a 4-year project that aims to improve food and nutrition security (FNS) in African city regions and reduce the food-system-related environmental footprint while contributing to circularity.…

ongoing, 01/2023 - 12/2026
Phototrophic cultivation of microalgae on a pilot-scale

completed, 12/2013 - 12/2015
Implementation of aquaponic technology in Romania to benefit health and sustainable livelihood in deprived areas (AQUA-ROM)

Aquaponic is an innovative technology that combines aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics (soilless plant culture) to create a sustainable, low-impact food production unit. The project aims to introduce Aquaponics to Romania and thus contribute to poverty reduction in Romanian mountain areas…

completed, 04/2015 - 11/2017
Reliable automatic determination of fish personality to improve aquaculture and re-stocking management

Taking into account different personality types in aquaculture and re-stocking measures for open water is important, since the specific characteristics of the animals determine their fate. But different personalities are assumed to be important for the different purposes for which fish are raised.…

completed, 01/2018 - 12/2018
BIOMAT (Integrated Bio-based Materials Value Chains)

The aim of the project is to develop sustainable bio-based materials to replace the fossil based counterparts. On the one hand, biomaterials will be produced from side-stream products of agro-food industry. On the other hand, green technologies such as cultivation of microalgae will be used to…

completed, 06/2019 - 05/2022
Sustainable duckweed production as a protein source for aquaculture

Switzerland is not supplied with sufficient amounts of protein for feed production, but has to import the main proportion from other countries. Duckweed can show high growth rates and protein contents on diluted manure and can reach production rates per squaremeter which are comparable to commonly…

completed, 01/2018 - 06/2022
Evaluation of methods for monitoring the quality of treated domestic grey water for water re-use

The first step of the project is to test and evaluate existing methods for monitoring the quality of treated domestic grey water for water reuse. These include both sensor-based methods (e.g. SAC254 probes) and newer methods. In a second step, the most promising methods will be tested in ongoing…

completed, 01/2023 - 12/2023
Implementation of aquaponic technology in Kunming, China: Construction of prototype for cultivation of fish and vegetables

This project proposes to introduce the Aquaponic technology (AP) to China’s urban population. The objective is to devise AP systems suitable for efficient food production on smallest surfaces, which will be implemented in urban areas. Two solutions should be developed: (i) a prototype greenhouse…

completed, 06/2018 - 05/2019
Sun-Oxygen-System: Energy efficient fishpond aeration enhancing integrated small-scale farming in Cambodia

In this project a solarpowered system, called Sun-Oxygen-System, for the aeration of aquaculture pond systems, will be developed and tested. The system should improve the usage of naturally occuring dissolved oxygen in aquaculture pond systems and through that, allow the operation of off-grid…

completed, 01/2020 - 12/2023
Characterization of nitrogen dynamics in an aquaponic system

An aquaponic (AP) system combines a recirculating aquaculture system (production of aquatic animals, mostly fish) with a hydroponic system (production of plants) and recycles water and nutrients between these two main components. Nutrient-rich water from the aquaculture component is directed to the…

completed, 03/2017 - 12/2020