WaveLab connects real experiments with virtual worlds

The ETH Zurich research platform develops new methods in Dübendorf to simulate, control, and better understand wave phenomena in real time.

In a physical laboratory, acoustic waves are measured, calculated and connected directly to a digital simulation. The result is an experience where the experiment does not end at the walls of the lab, but continues to propagate through a virtual environment. To achieve this, WaveLab works with densely arranged sensors, acoustic projectors and a high-performance computing system that calculates wave fields within microseconds.

This allows researchers to study wave phenomena in a more controlled, realistic and true-to-life way, providing an important foundation for better understanding complex acoustic and geophysical processes.

Innovation Park Zurich offers WaveLab more than just laboratory space. The proximity to startups and industrial companies creates an environment that brings research and application directly together, enabling industrial collaborations with minimal friction. At the same time, WaveLab actively uses the location for knowledge transfer: through guided tours, open house events and collaboration with Startbahn 29, making research accessible to a broader audience.