UHasselt expands Ecotron research with new Rapid Assessment Units for accelerated climate testing
This week, the new Rapid Assessment Units (RAUs) were officially installed in the Ecotron building of the Field Research Center in Maasmechelen. These advanced, climate-controlled test units will enable UHasselt to investigate even more quickly and accurately how ecosystems and agricultural crops respond to climate stressors such as extreme drought, heat, and nitrogen pressure.
The RAUs complement the existing Ecotron infrastructure
Whereas the current Ecotron units focus on long-term processes in ecosystems, the RAUs are specifically designed for short-term experiments with a high degree of replication. This allows researchers to collect large amounts of data in the short term under highly realistic, controlled conditions.
The project is under the scientific leadership of Prof. dr. Nadia Soudzilovskaia (head of the Ecotron research facility) and Prof. dr. Francois Rineau. According to them, the arrival of the RAUs strengthens the link between fundamental ecological research and concrete, applied innovation.
Unique opportunities for the agri-food sector
The RAUs are not only valuable for academic research, but also offer unique opportunities for companies, farmers, and stakeholders in the agri-food sector. They can use the infrastructure to test and validate climate-resistant crops, innovative soil management strategies, and bio-based products.
The big advantage? The units mimic the reality of the field, but in a controlled environment, making test results available much faster than with conventional field trials.
Regional impact and collaboration
The installation of the RAUs was made possible through the support of the European Commission (EFRO), the Center for Environmental Sciences (CMK), UHasselt (BOF), and Edaphon, an investment organization focused on climate solutions and the protection of our natural capital.
Together, these partners are building an innovation platform that contributes to climate adaptation and mitigation in agriculture and creates concrete value for stakeholders in Limburg and beyond.
Interested in collaboration?
Are you interested in testing, co-development, or research collaborations using the RAU infrastructure?
Please contact dr. Nele Witters, business developer at CMK, who coordinates industrial involvement and collaborative projects related to the RAUs.