- Focus topics: flexible laboratory automation and digitalization
- New: Initiative link_the_lab

Hanover. Germany. The Analytics Day (AnalytikTag) of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Technology e. V. (IUTA) will be held this year as part of smartLAB connects (7-8 September). It is thus part of the two-day online conference that focuses on the topics of digitalization, sustainability and pandemics. "Normally, the Analytics Day takes place in Duisburg every year. This year, unfortunately, it is not possible to implement this format at our institute. We are therefore very pleased to be able to bring part of the program to smartLAB connects," explains Dr Thorsten Teutenberg, Head of Research Analytics & Miniaturisation at IUTA.

The Analytics Day will present the topics "Flexible Laboratory Automation and Digitalization" on 7 September from 3 to 6 pm. A panel discussion with renowned experts on the topic of "Standards and interfaces: how far away are we from the laboratory of the future?" will round off the Analytics Day program.

IUTA's FutureLab will be benchmark. "The FutureLab.NRW presents itself as an important link in this context. Many concepts are currently still in the trial phase. This also applies to the new flexible automation solutions," adds Teutenberg. "The FutureLab.NRW therefore sees itself as an open platform that is to be further developed together with the stakeholders involved, always with a focus on the needs of the industry. The FutureLab.NRW is not just a mere 'show room', but we want to map out and transform real work processes in the lab."

New: link_the_lab initiative

The new initiative link_the_lab will also be integrated into the conference program of smartLAB connects. Its aim is to promote the exchange and transfer of knowledge within the laboratory industry on the topic of communication standards and data formats in the laboratory. The Connectivity Space in Berlin will be presented as part of a live broadcast. There, a digital laboratory assistant will be shown that can already safely support work processes in the laboratory on the basis of connected devices. Another central topic will be digital management of hazardous goods.

Since there is a common thread between the Analytics Day and the link-the-lab initiative, participants should attend both events. "As part of link_the_lab, there will be a live link to our colleagues from labforward in Berlin. You can certainly get a good impression of what we are building here at IUTA," Teutenberg explains. "Communication standards are indeed becoming more and more important, because only through standardization is it really possible to completely connect all the devices in a laboratory. The time is ripe to say goodbye to isolated solutions, even if that means that business models will change."

The Analytics Day will take place on 7 September 2021 from 3pm to 6pm. The link_th_lab initiative will be held from 12.30 to 14.30.