Interface for the engineering science disciplines

The Institute for Natural Sciences regards itself as an important interface between the various engineering science disciplines.

Applied natural sciences form the basis for a wide range of engineering science disciplines, including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and computer science. For this reason, research at the Institute for Natural Sciences includes practice-based applications in the field of engineering sciences.

The core competencies of the Institute for Natural Sciences are microsystems technology, microfluidics and their applications in medical and chemical analysis, as well as chemical reaction technology.

The portfolio is supplemented by further competencies in the areas of mathematical modelling and computer simulation, and in the development of resonance-based systems, such as precision piezo drive and positioning systems or resonance-based microsystems.

This diversity of competencies and their interrelation with various engineering science disciplines is highly instrumental both for development projects in the area of modern high technologies and for multifaceted cooperation opportunities with industry and university partners.

The Institute for Natural Sciences also has close links with the other HRW institutes: the development of microfluidic analysis systems, including biochemical sensor technology, is strongly linked to subject areas of the Institute for Measurement and Sensor Technology. These microfluidic systems, like resonance-based precision positioning systems, have various applications in modern medical technology – for example, in the courses of the Electrical Engineering degree programme (focus area Bioengineering).

Microtechnological applications also enable strong networks with a range of small and medium-sized companies in this sector – companies which have turned the Ruhr region into one of the world’s largest clusters for this modern high technology.

Research contacts have already been established

Further cooperations with local microtechnical companies are currently in development.