Research Projects
Collaboration in Cross-Sectoral Research, Development and Innovation Projects
The active involvement of commercial enterprises in research & development activities is a key factor in Europe's development. Vienna Scientific fully commits to the Triple Helix concept of university-industry-government relationships - illustrating the necessary shift from a industry-government dyad in the Industrial Society to a growing triadic relationship between university-industry-government in the Knowledge Society. Read more about the expected benefits of cross-sectoral R&D and have a look at our current R&D&I projects listed below. An overview on our activities at scientific meetings can be found at the related conference webpage. We would love to get in contact!
Automatising Minirhizotron Image Acquisition and Analysis - NextMR-IAA ATTRACT project
The EU H2020 ATTRACT call funds breakthrough ideas in detection and imaging technologies. Our NextMR-IAA project will combine imaging technology, mechatronic automation and image analysing technology in a unique and highly innovative way to significantly advance the minirhizotron technology to study roots in situ. In details, the NextMR-IAA project will 1) combine state-of-the-art imaging sensors (UHD VIS and certain near infrared (NIR) wavebands) with imaging automation to allow for effective and precise imaging of roots, and 2) will develop machine learning-based approaches to automatically segmentate & classify roots. See the VSI ATTRACT web-page for details.
Novel Root Imaging Technologies (for Arctic Environments) - FutureArctic Project
The objectives of VSI in the H2020 project 'FutureArctic' (Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action, Innovative Training Network) are 1) to develop an an autonomous, permanently installed and remote-controllable minirhizotron (MR) imaging system suitable for arctic environments, 2) to identify multi-spectral wavelength (ranges) allowing for enhanced segmentation and species-specific differentiation of (three exemplary) arctic target root systems, and 3) to conceptualise the implementation of multi-spectral imaging beyond VIS in MR imaging systems. Please see the VSI FutureArctic webpage and the FutureArctic consortium website for details.
Humus and climate awareness project at Austrian schools - HuLK project
Pupils will work as researchers and step-by--step approach topics such as humus, climate change, soil, and agriculture under the supervision of scientists. They will learn to better understand processes (CO2 emissions, soil as CO2 storage, humus to adapt to climate change for crops in arable farming) and learn how to transfer this knowledge into practical solutions. Please find further information on the HuLK web page.
Collaboration with Engineering College HTL Mödling - CO2FluxI project
Together with the engineering college HTL Mödling and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) we currently engaged in a new R&D project, developing a cost-efficient, convenient and accurate IRGA system for continued soil CO2 efflux measurements in situ. Together with junior engineers from the HTL Mödling we will develop the mechanics, sensors and software in the course of 2018-2019. We are very excited to work with these enthusiastic and skilled students and their teachers towards the Knowledge Society. Please find further information on the CO2FluxI project webpage. We are highly interested to interest further partners from academia in this R&D project for joint proposal and evaluation of prototypes. Please get in contact.
Remote Gas Sampling - Iso-Drone Projects
Currently sampling of the atmosphere for gas emission measurements has to be done by building towers or hiring airplanes - capital-intensive methods. Easy access to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV, "Drones") has opened-up new opportunities for remote gas sampling (e.g. greenhouse gases, VOCs and water vapour). The Iso-Drone projects aim is to develop, test and produce modular UAV-based gas sampling and monitoring systems for emission and isotope measurements. Please find further information on the ISOdrone project site.
Cross-Sectoral Research and Training - Searching Partners
Vienna Scientific Instruments is highly interested to participate in cross-sectoral research and training actions, as partner or beneficiary, and at national (Austrian), European and international levels. We are equally interested in hosting early stage researchers (ESR; which can enroll for PhD studies at several world-class Universities in Vienna), short- and long-term secondments of academic staff at any career stage from PhD candidates to senior researchers as "entrepreneurs in residence" (EIRs), and to participate with our engineering staff in R&D&I calls and research and innovation staff exchange programmes.
We have experience in writing and submitting grant proposals with Austrian (e.g. project "Iso-2-Drone", FFG, Austria) and European partner organisations (e.g. proposal "FutureArctic", Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action, Innovative Training Network, H2020, EU) and have already finalised successful Industry-Academia projects. Please contact us if you would like to discuss project possibilities.