Bio-intelligence: new ideas for a sustainable future

• ZEISS is a founding member of the Kompetenzzentrum Biointelligenz e.V. and will support the value creation and innovations developed with biointelligence.
• Together with leading research institutions from the Stuttgart area, ZEISS intends to advance the sustainable transformation of the economy and society.
  

On 25 June 2021, ZEISS signed the charter for the Kompetenzzentrum Biointelligenz e.V. together with research institutions from the Stuttgart area. Other participants include the University of Stuttgart and the University of Hohenheim as well as the NMI in Reutlingen and the Fraunhofer-Institutes IPA, IGB, IAO, IBP in Stuttgart. The goal of the non-profit association is to establish biointelligence as a core component for transforming the economy and society, and to profoundly change products, manufacturing processes and organizations in the future through the systematic application of know-how about biological processes.

ZEISS is already active in the three fields underpinning biointelligence ‒ the life sciences, quality control in manufacturing, and the semiconductor industry. Optics and photonics will also be a core technology for bio-intelligence. Thus, the company can and intends to support the providers of bio-based concepts, approaches and innovations with its technologies.

The term biointelligence refers to the biological transformation of industry through the increasing use of materials, structures, processes and organisms found in living nature and deploying these in technology. "Biointelligence opens up a new realm for innovation, and we need this because a comprehensive transformation of industry is not possible with just the manufacturing technologies and value-added chains available today," says Dr. Michael Totzeck from ZEISS Corporate Research and Technology and member of the managing board of the Kompetenzzentrum Biointelligenz.

The potential of biointelligence includes sustainable innovations like manufacturing that requires fewer materials, recyclable or biologically degradable products, and intelligent, self-repairing and self-adapting materials.

"Biointelligence will fundamentally change how we live by enabling the transformation toward sustainable ways of thinking, acting and engaging in economic activity that are climate friendly and protect nature," says Totzeck. "Now is the right time to support biointelligence as the basis for further innovations in Germany and to seize this opportunity."

The development and establishment of new biological and bio-inspired approaches, processes and technologies require the right tools. "ZEISS is well positioned to advance the increased networking between bio, manufacturing and information technologies with regard to biointelligence," says Totzeck.

A decisive factor for sustainable innovation is not just economic viability but also positive economic, ecological and social impacts. "As a foundation company, ZEISS has already made these goals an integral part of its business activity," says Totzeck. "The Competency Center's focus on developing bio-based solutions and transferring these to industry in order improve the living conditions of humanity aligns with our ambition to realize sustainable business practices."

The Kompetenzzentrum Biointelligenz e.V. is the umbrella organization of a research network that was established in 2019. 40 researchers cooperate intensively and pursue an interdisciplinary approach at the Competency Center in order to shape the biological transformation.

As part of its outreach, the Competency Center offers public events, talks and discussions on topics related to the biological transformation and regularly publishes posts on its blog. A working group with representatives from industry is currently being established.

You will find more information on the webpage of the Kompetenzzentrum Biointelligenz.

Further information

• Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA