The USE Lab will be Austria’s main research lab in the ubiquitous sensing domains tackling major research challenges including:
Seamless integration in the environment
Autonomous and networked data collection and information extraction
Ease of usage, versatility, and dependability
The work will address both hardware and software aspects and particularly focus on model-based approaches for multi-sensor fusion, adaptive operation, auto calibration, self-diagnosis and methods for the fast development and verification of advanced sensor systems which include the exploitation of advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques. This involves basic and application oriented interdisciplinary research to offer industry accelerated market entrance possibilities for innovative ideas e.g., in the fields IoT (Internet of Things) and I4.0 (Industry 4.0).
Within the scope of the joint lab, researchers from Silicon Austria Labs and University of Klagenfurt will focus on four major topics:
RT1: Sensor Modeling, Simulation and Optimal Design
Model-based approaches for sensor development and optimization; Semantic representations and annotation of sensor data, novel concepts and theories for low power smart sensors and sensor networks including wireless communication, advanced signal processing and advanced pre-evaluation of sensor data with special focus on partially or fully autarkic operation; Realistic simulation environments for application driven energy management approaches on different integration levels inclusive communication and pre-evaluation of data (chip-, package- & system-level).
RT2: Sensor Signal Processing and Sensor Intelligence
Sensor signals conditioning and signal pre-processing algorithms; Sensor signals compression for efficient signal transmission and communication; Machine learning approaches for modeling and reduction of uncertainties. Realization self-referencing and self-calibrating sensor systems; Methods for testing multi-sensor matrices in real applications.
RT3: Networked Sensing, Sensor Fusion and Virtual Sensing
Resource-aware in-network processing and analytics of homogeneous and heterogeneous sensor data; Multi-sensor and multi-modal fusion; Self-calibration, self-organization and resource management in networked sensing systems; Methods for resource-aware data distribution and virtual sensing in sensor networks
RT4: Sensor System Integration and Fabrication
Application of new materials in additive manufacturing sensor system integration and fabrication technologies of hybrid systems of chip & printed sensors, functional layers for ultrathin, flexible (bendable) sensors using additive manufacturing approaches, in particular inkjet printing; High-Resolution Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) and jetting technologies combined with 3D printing technologies; Integration of printed energy harvester and energy storage components; Polymers functionalized with nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene etc.; Strain/stress and vibration sensors flexible humidity and temperature sensors.