Project R-16976

Ecotron Solutions (Research)

Ecotron Solutions is developing an innovative method that translates realistic climate scenarios into practical protocols for Ecotrons, climate chambers, and other controlled-environment research facilities. These infrastructures are increasingly used worldwide to investigate how ecosystems, crops, and natural resources respond to climate change. Although researchers have access to climate models that predict future climate conditions, they often lack the expertise and tools needed to convert complex projections into scientifically robust and practically usable experiments. As a result, climate experiments are frequently based on simplified assumptions or scenarios that do not fully address the intended research question. The proposed methodology addresses this challenge by automatically generating realistic, reproducible climate protocols that are both scientifically relevant and technically feasible. This enables researchers to design more targeted experiments and to better understand the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and agricultural systems. The CONCEPT project focuses on three objectives: automating the workflow to significantly reduce protocol delivery times, developing proprietary software to eliminate dependence on external technologies, and validating market demand. The project will form the basis of a UHasselt spin-off company providing climate services to research organizations, infrastructure operators, and companies developing climate-resilient solutions.

01 July 2026 - 30 June 2027