The Laboratory of Process Automation (LPA) at Saarland University began its work at the
beginning of the 1989/90 winter term under the direction of Professor Dr.-Ing. habil. Hartmut Janocha.
The professorship is assigned to the Natural Science and Technology Faculty II, Physics and Mechatronics, and has its main research activities concentrated in the automation of technical processes. In order to perform this kind of task, the Laboratory looks to classical disciplines such as measurement and control engineering ("MSR technology"), deploying sophisticated signal-processing methods and state-of-the-art computer technology. The LPA's interest in application-oriented research focuses mainly on innovative solutions in the field of product, automotive and aircraft engineering.
The Laboratory's work is strongly based on mechatronic viewpoints and procedures, i.e. all essential aspects of automation tasks and approaches, from the planning of processes and products to their implementation, are interdisciplinarily addressed, always in consideration of the job to be performed. In order to accomplish this, our staff has been composed of individuals with very different technical backgrounds. In recent years, Adaptronics has been added to our field of activities. It forms part of Mechatronics and aims at maximizing the functionality in so-called active systems by deploying multifunctional materials. Adaptronics describes, for instance, mechanical structures which adjust their properties autonomously to variable operating and/or environmental conditions ("intelligent or smart structures").
In the following, you will find information on the scheduled lectures and the contents of the LPA's main research fields, "unconventional actuators" and "robotics with image processing".
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