The biological transformation at RWTH Aachen University: Through a paradigm shift to sustainability
The biological transformation at RWTH Aachen University: Through paradigm shift to sustainability
Biological transformation is a term for the integration of principles of nature into the value chain and for the development of solutions and products with the help of life sciences. The term describes a paradigm shift driven by the gain of knowledge, for example in medical technology, biotechnology or production technology. Biologicalisation and digitalization are seen as converging processes that can reinforce each other and open up new approaches to fundamental questions.
Bionics or generative algorithms have been discussed in construction and design for quite some time. AI/ML algorithms based on evolutionary biological principles are currently as much in discussion as AI-based methods for detecting disease symptoms. The development and use of new classes of materials promises many possibilities in broad fields of application of sustainable products, biocompatible prostheses and innovative processes. Ecosystems and swarm intelligence have become the starting point for modern economic resilient value-added arrangements. Novel bio-based active ingredients will enable the substitution of environmentally harmful synthetic products in the future.
Biological transformation opens up new and future-oriented fields of action in research, but it also poses numerous challenges. In the recent past, interdisciplinary cooperation between researchers has led to the first groundbreaking and future-oriented solutions to complex problems. But what competencies does the RWTH have in this field and what challenges does it face? How can intersections be identified and different competencies be aggregated in a goal-oriented way to meet the challenges?
The profile area Medical Science & Technology (MedSt), Molecular Science & Engineering (MSE) and Production Engineering (ProdE) address these questions together in a cooperation workshop.
The aim of the workshop is to discuss your current research fields and competences as well as challenges of combining technical, biological and information technology components and to identify innovative research fields in an interdisciplinary exchange. Based on the workshop, a competence matrix will be developed, which will allow the quick identification of the interdisciplinary valuable competences at the RWTH and the potential for the formation of a Future Growth Area at the RWTH.
Members of the RWTH Aachen University and the Fraunhofer Institutes, who have dealt with this topic and would like to become involved, are welcome to attend this workshop.
Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2020, from 14:00 - 17:30 (not applicable)