Simulating Biological Systems Group

Vision & Mission SimBioSys

What do we do? Physics-based simulations and sensing of transport processes in plant-based food systems and the human body (Running projects)

Why we do this? To reduce food loss in postharvest supply chains, individualize drug delivery systems, and design sustainable drying processes by understanding and steering these systems in-silico

How do we do this?

  • Pioneering mechanistic modeling at multiple scales
  • Bridging the virtual to the real world by multi-parameter sensing
  • Creating digital twins that can live together with their real-world counterpart

Who are we? An interdisciplinary team of mechanical, biomedical and agricultural engineers, food scientists and environmental scientists. 

Where are we at Empa? We are part of the Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles in Empa's Research Focal Area Health and Performance 

Teaching & Outreach

 

Course @ ETH Zurich on Simulations and Sensors in Agri-Food Supply Chains (full course, MSc, 3 ECTS credits)

Coordinating Empa's Multiphysics Hub (intranet - external page), including the Multiphysics Channel (on YouTube)

Sustainable development goals

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/  

                                         

                                 

                       

 

                                   

Thijs Defraeye

Group Leader SimBioSys

thijs.defraeye@empa.ch

+41 58 765 4790

Google Scholar - Scopus 

News

New scientist position. Physics-based digital human twins to help tailoring pain treatment to individual patients

Press release. Your Virtual Cold Chain Assistant & Factsheet

Press release. The simulated patient

We are an awardee of the data.org Inclusive Growth and Recovery Challenge

Press release. Digital twins for cucumber 

 

Fresh of the press

Onwude, D.I., Iranshahi, K., Rubinetti, D., Martynenko, A. and Defraeye, T., 2021. Scaling-up electrohydrodynamic drying for energy-efficient food drying via physics-based simulations. Journal of Cleaner Production, p.129690. DOI

Onwude, D. I., Iranshahi, K., Rubinetti, D., Schudel, S., Schemminger, J., Martynenko, A., & Defraeye, T. (2021). How much do process parameters affect the residual quality attributes of dried fruits and vegetables for convective drying?. Food and Bioproducts Processing. DOI

Shoji, K., Schudel, S., Onwude, D., Shrivastava, C., & Defraeye, T. (2022). Mapping the postharvest life of imported fruits from packhouse to retail stores using physics-based digital twins. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 176, 105914.