Research

School of Engineering and Environment

The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) – School of Engineering and Environment – stands for application-oriented research that delivers direct value to industry and society. At its 12 institutes, over 300 staff members collaborate with partners to develop innovative solutions in fields such as automation, electrical, energy, and environmental engineering, artificial intelligence, business engineering, mechanical, micro- and nanotechnology, and optometry – practical, interdisciplinary, and internationally connected.

Our Services

Research projects

We support companies and institutions in their innovation initiatives. Our staff generate knowledge and practical solutions. Each year, around 250 new research and development projects are launched in collaboration with industry partners.

Carry out a research project with us

Student Projects

An interesting form of collaboration is problem-solving through student projects and theses. As a company, this also allows you to make initial contact with your potential future employees.

Commission a Student Project

Our research areas

Aerospace

Development of instruments, components, and manufacturing processes for the aerospace sector.

Artificial intelligence in Engineering

Research and development in artificial intelligence.

Automation

Intelligent automation solutions for industrial and infrastructure applications

Business processes

Intelligent business processes through the integration of strategies, processes, organizations, and technologies.

Institute: Institute of Business Engineering

Electrical engineering

Optimization of high-power systems and development of compact components for low-power applications.

Energy and environment

We conduct research on sustainable energy systems across the entire value chain.

Materials

Innovative solutions in the field of materials, processes, and applications for functional plastic surfaces.

Mechanical engineering

Our research in mechanical engineering covers the entire product life cycle.

Micro- and nano-technology

Innovative solutions in materials, processes, and applications for functional plastic surfaces.

Optometry

Applied research and services related to vision and visual perception.

Our Institutes

Our institutes are strong partners for industry and business in applied research and development.

Institute of Automation

We are a multidisciplinary institute in the field of automation specialising in modern control technology, industrial automation and building automation as well as mechatronics.

Institute of Bioenergy and Resource Efficiency

The energetic utilisation of biomass and the optimisation of material and energy flows are the focus of our scientific work.

Institute of Business Engineering

Intelligent and innovative business processes through integration of strategies, processes, organizations and technologies.

Institute of Electric Power Systems

The main areas of our work are power electronic systems and drives, as well as power grids.

Institut of Humanities and Social Science

We are the Competence Center for Engineers and Computer Scientists in Communication, English, Business Administration and Societal Topics

Institute of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

We are the FHNW's competence centre for mathematics and physics.

Institute of Optometry

Applied research and services relating to vision.

Institute of Polymer Engineering

We create sustainable, plastic-based product and processes innovations with a focus on high-performance polymers and composites.

Institute of Polymer Nanotechnology

Customized functional surfaces for innovative plastic products

Institute of Product and Production Engineering

We focus on the development of products and manufacturing processes, and apply cutting-edge technologies.

Institute for Sensors and Electronics

We are the competence centre for sensor technology, with a special focus on aerosol measurement, microelectronics, signal processing and communication technology.

Institute of Thermal and Fluid Engineering

We are committed to a sustainable, energy-efficient and innovative industrial future. With our expertise in thermal and fluid engineering, we support companies in the analysis and optimisation of fluid mechanical and thermal processes, measurement methods, and prototype development.

Laboratories

With its laboratories, the FHNW School of Engineering and Environment provides companies from industry, business and research as well as public organisations with its expertise and support and enables access to state-of-the-art infrastructure.