As the year draws to a close, we look back on productive 12 months. Our mission is to bridge the gap between rigorous mathematical method development and solving real-world challenges. A look at our 2025 publication list reflects exactly this diversity: We focused intensively on how Advanced Control, AI, and Optimization can serve as key technologies for a sustainable bioeconomy. From efficient process management in greenhouses to microalgae cultivation – we are working to make biotechnological systems more robust and efficient, without losing sight of the theoretical foundations.

We are proud to have successfully placed 23 scientific contributions this year: 19 Journal Articles, 3 Conference Proceedings, 1 Book Chapter.
Additionally, 6 more papers are currently under review – a promising outlook for the coming year!

Highlights 2025:

• Theory: New approaches to Lyapunov stability, Moving Horizon Estimation, and nonlinear observers.
• Bioeconomy & Agritech: Model-based control for vertical farming, Deep RL in greenhouses, and optimization of microalgae biomass production.

On December 11, 2025, 15 students from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology visited the Festo Experience Center in Chemnitz. During the trip, they explored the world of automation technology, gaining hands-on insights into modern pneumatic and electrical drive solutions. Interactive tours and innovative workshops helped them connect their academic knowledge with real-world applications. Further information can be found in this press release.

Our team member Patrick Schmidt has successfully defended his dissertation with the title Stabilization of Nonlinear Systems under Measurement Errors using Smooth and Nonsmooth Control Lyapunov Functions.

Prof. Streif joins the Association of Vertical Farming (AVF) Scientific Advisory Board to optimize complex systems and strengthen AVF's role in science and build a bridge to industry. The AVF mentioned his outstanding expertise in the field of AI and digital modeling along with other significant achievements. More information can be found in this press release.

The "Towards NewFoodSystems" conference brought together around 300 participants from business, science, and politics in Berlin to discuss new nutrition and food systems. The ACSD professorship has been actively working for about two years in the BMFTR-funded NewFoodSystems innovation space on the development of algae-based foods (see the ENABLE project) and contributed two presentations and two poster presentations from ongoing research to the conference. We are pleased that our contribution entitled AI-based Computer Vision for advanced modeling and monitoring of microalgae cultivation was awarded the poster prize for "Innovative Research".

On November 1st, the ESF PLUS junior research group "Menschenverständliches, optimales Ressourcen- & Energie­management für komplexe, netzintegrierte, biogene Produktionsanlagen" (MORE-KIBA; quot;Human-understandable, optimal resource and energy management for complex, grid-integrated, biogenic production plants) will be launched, comprising researchers from eight professorships at Chemnitz University of Technology. The aim is to use AI to explain the algorithmic decisions that lead to sustainable operation, using the example of a biorefinery and an energy grid simulator. The project is co-financed by tax revenues based on the budget approved by the members of the Saxon State Parliament and by the European Union. Further information can be found in this press release and on the website of the project.

As part of the Digital Rail Conference organized by the Smart Rail Connectivity Campus (SRCC) in Annaberg-Buchholz, our professorship contributed to the PublicDay4Kids. The aim was to spark enthusiasm for STEM topics among young students.
Under the motto "Bitte (den) Abstand halten!" ("Mind the Distance!") the pupils first had the chance to test their skills with two remote-controlled model trains. A short presentation then explained the path from human control to the technical implementation of distance regulation, which was finally illustrated with a simulation model.
The activity was met with great interest, showing how exciting and accessible technology can be when experienced hands-on. A summary of the entire event can be found in this press release.

Asst. Prof. Tobias K. S. Ritschel (Technical University of Denmark) will give a talk on Dynamic price signals for indirect control of flexible energy resources at 01:00 pm online. Everybody is heartily invited. All past and future seminars can be found here.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Ulbrich (ETH Zürich) will give a talk on Agrarsysteme der Zukunft - Herausforderungen und Chancen des Vertical-Farmings at 04:00 pm in 2/W059. Everybody is heartily invited. All past and future seminars can be found here.