Each of the faculty’s four institutes is involved in a variety of research activities, which are constantly being developed. Below is a brief introduction to a number of the faculty’s research areas. The research takes place at the institutes – sometimes in collaboration with the business sector and other Danish and international research forces.
Institute of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology
The institute focuses strategically on research and innovation in the interdisciplinary subjects: Plants for Health, Environmentally Efficient Technologies, IKT ‘from earth to table’ and Robots in Biological Production Systems.
The four areas involve the health and well-being of humans as well as of animals and plants. With the research in Environmentally Efficient Technologies the focus is on the significant global challenges such as environmental problems, food demands and energy demand, global warming and biodiversity. This way, we respond to a strong need to develop and optimise the whole technology chain. IKT ’from earth to table’ opens new opportunities for user-driven food innovation, traceability and documentation of processes across the food chain.
Institute of Technology and Innovation (ITI) - formerly Department of Industrial and Civil Engineering and Institute of Sensors, Signals and Electrotechnics.
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Department of Industrial and Civil Engineering Structural Engineering, which focuses on design of structures for the construction industry and engineering industry, is one of the main research fields of the institute. Researchers in this field are involved in the drawing up of norms and standards of the design of concrete structures – both in Denmark and in Europe.
The research field of Network Manufacturing, which is being developed, is concerned with global supply of products – including Supply Chain Management, Value Chain Optimisation and the implementation and management of companies in and with foreign cultures.
The field of Control Design and Experience Design is also being established with focus on the development of products that are functional and easily accessible for the user. This will be constructed as an interfaculty research area in close cooperation with the Mads Clausen Institute.
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Institute of Sensors, Signals and Electrotechnics (SENSE)
The institute is engaged in a broad range of electrotechnical, optical and acoustic technologies. Specific research areas are, among other things, optical sensor chips for molecular detection with high sensitivity and electro acoustics and numerical acoustics in speakers, microphones and hearing aides. The first mentioned can, for example, be applied in food safety, detection and for medical diagnostics.
Also energy systems, electricity distribution, district heating systems and windmills are among the research fields of the institute.
Mads Clausen Institute (MCI)
The institute, which is situated at ALSION in Sønderborg, has built strong and international research environments in the fields of User-Oriented Design, Embedded Software, Mathematical Modelling and Control of Physical Systems as well as Business Innovation, which is developed in close collaboration with the university in Flensburg. In addition, ALSION is the home of the faculty’s nano activities with its, among other things, brand new and very well-equipped clean room facilities.
In the future, Mads Clausen will also concentrate on product and business innovation in a broad sense and with primary focus on mechatronic systems, intelligent sensors and actuators as well as on the fields of macro-, micro- and nanotechnology.
The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute (MMMI)
The institute was established in 1997 with focus on the development of new technologies for intelligent autonomous systems – colloquially called robotics. The research at the institute is centred on artificial intelligence, including playware and embedded systems, with a focus on making the systems smaller, more flexible, faster and more secure. Moreover, the institute is involved in software development and robot programming and control, cognitive computer vision systems, modelling and control of modern picking processes.
The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute is also the home of RoboCluster. RoboCluster is a network of suppliers, customers and researchers involved in robots, automation and intelligent mechanical systems. Thus, RoboCluster serves as a bridge builder between the University of Southern Denmark and companies and institutions associated with the business of robotics and automation.