BioBuzz2023 - 2027
In this cooperation project together with University of Vienna, approaches of pollination biology and flower evolution are combined with mechatronic methods in order to investigate how Melastomataceae flowers have adapted to vibration pollinating bees. For this, a vibration system is desigend in order to execute artificial, bee-like flower vibration experiments. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of the flowers are explored by vibration experiments in the lab and the internal flower structure is obtained by computer tomography. With this, the bio mechanics of flowers can be modelled and simulated. Read more →
MobileSpectro2022 - 2025
Infrared spectroscopy is a fundamental technique for the characterization and analysis of chemical compounds. MobileSpectro aims to develop a miniaturized high precision FTIR spectrometer that enables handheld operation for field use and provides a performance comparable to lab-based instruments. Read more →
ConvoyFence2021 - 2024
This project aims at the development and integration of a vibration isolation platform with the main target application of optical drone identification systems in mobile scenarios. It will be integrated into existing vehicles to provide early and effective information for the protection of convoys against UAV threats. Read more →
High-speed large format 3D printing
To overcome the speed limitation of stereolithography 3D printers in this project, a polygon mirror based light engine is developed, which enables a laser line scan speed of a few hundred meters per second. Read more →
Precision robotic in-line metrology for freeform surfaces
High precision in-line measurements on free form surfaces are considered as a key factor for future industrial production. Robot-based measurement systems enable the required flexibility but are typically lacking the required precision. The scope of this project is the development of a measurement platform as end effector for a robot robot arm, carrying a measurement tool and compensating for environmental disturbances, enabling precision inline measurements. Read more →
Hybrid reluctance actuators for high precision motion
Next-generation high-quality motion systems require high-precision actuators with higher energy efficiency and larger force to improve the system throughput. Particularly, actuators with a motor constant higher than comparable voice coil actuators are highly desired. This project investigates hybrid reluctance actuators (HRAs) with guiding flexures as a promising candidate of next-generation systems. Read more →
Active Turbulence Suppression for Aircraft – SmartWings
Atmospheric turbulence is an unsolved problem for aviation. By investigating smart wing structures, which sense turbulence and actively reject disturbances by flap deflections, it shall become possible to fly through turbulence in a direct and reliable way in the future. Read more →
TracSat
The precise tracking of high velocity satellites with ground based optical telescopes is a prerequisite for a number of future applications such as optical satellite communication, observation of space debris or satellite laser ranging. To achieve this goal, good mechatronic design as well as high performance control are necessary. Together with our industrial partner, ASA Astrosysteme GmbH, this project aims on increasing the achievable precision and tracking velocity of existing ASA ground stations. Read more →
Fundamentals of opto-mechatronic systems (OMC)
Currently innovation is taking place at the border of disciplines rather than in one individual field of engineering. This particularly holds for application domains that span more than one field of engineering, since a high level of system integration from different disciplines provides solutions that a single domain alone cannot provide. As an example, the combination of optics and mechatronics form the interdisciplinary field of opto-mechatronics. Read more →
Atomic Force Microscopy capable of vibration isolation (Vibrostop AFM)
An atomic force microscope (AFM) can image and inspect a sample surface with high resolution by scanning a probe with a sharp tip over the sample. During scanning, the vertical position of the probe with respect to the sample typically needs to be regulated with nanometer resolution. For the required high resolution, AFMs are sensitive to vibrations transmitted from the floor dependent on their design. Read more →