Blockchain-Lab
Research, application and teaching concerning blockchain
The Blockchain Lab
In Bayreuth, under the lead of Prof. Dr. Nils Urbach, we have been supporting companies and public institutions since our foundation in 2016 within the scope of applied research projects and the development of individual and needs-based solutions in the field of blockchain technology. Our activities in this regard at the FIM Research Center are closely integrated into the blockchain lab of Fraunhofer FIT. Even though blockchain technology has become known through its first-time application as the basis of the crypto currency Bitcoin, it quickly became clear that the actual potential of the blockchain is much more far-reaching. Today, for example, in addition to business logics, represented by so-called Smart Contracts, digital and self-managed identities can also be implemented with the support of the blockchain. You can find a selection of our projects and solutions under Projects. In 2016, we were one of the first organizations in Germany to publish a whitepaper in which we examined the fundamentals, possible applications and potentials of the blockchain technology and the role of intermediaries in various contexts. We have also received several awards for our work – including the Innovation Prize ‘Reallabore’ from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy and the eGovernment Prize for our project with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
Our offer for you: Conception and development of individual and demand-oriented solutions
– as neutral scientific consulting for blockchain projects
– in one or more day (Ideation) workshops
– in applied research projects (from potential analysis to prototyping)
– in industry-wide and cross-industry consortia
You can find further information here.
Blockchain Basics
In the area “Blockchain Basics”, we deal in particular with the basic technological and economic classification of various distributed ledger technologies and their possible applications. In addition to the basics and possible applications of the technology, we also investigate the contexts in which the use of blockchain can offer real added value. Find out more with our whitepaper or webinar.
Blockchain and eGovernment
The use of blockchain in the public sector, especially in federal structures, is considered one of the major future fields of technology. Especially in the cooperation of public institutions in local, state and federal government, it is important to combine strict data privacy requirements and documentation security. Our work within the scope of public projects has already received several awards, including the Innovation Prize ‘Reallabore’ of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy and the eGovernment competition. Learn more …
Blockchain in Mobility and Logistics
The possible uses of blockchain in the context of mobility (transition) have been much discussed since the first business logics could be mapped to distributed ledgers. Today, exemplary applications can be found in the context of international trade of goods (freight documents), eMobility (electric charging), Sharing Economy (ridesharing) as well as in the more efficient transport of goods (platooning). With the publication of the Blockchain Report “Opportunities and Challenges of DLT (Blockchain) in Mobility and Logistics” we have already been able to set standards in this area. Learn more …
Blockchain and Data Privacy
In the implementation of blockchain in the private as well as the public sector, the issue of data privacy has played a special role not only since the adoption of the European General Data Protection Regulation: in view of the documentation security and transparency inherent in blockchain, it must be designed in such a way that personal data remain protected. We were able to apply our expertise in this context in a project with Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
Self-Sovereign Identities and Digital Identities
So-called ‘Self-Sovereign Identities’ are considered to be self-managed identities which are not provided as usual by a central institution or platform. They can be implemented in combination with blockchain or without it. Thus they offer the possibility to make certain freedoms of personal identity usable in the digital world. By using so-called ‘zero knowledge proofs’, users also have the opportunity to prove certain characteristics without disclosing sensitive information. Learn more …
Blockchain and Performance-Benchmarking
Due to the intensive use of cryptographic methods as well as the communication effort for the consensus mechanism, the performance (transactions per second, latency, etc.) of blockchains is generally lower than that of central systems. Due to the redundant execution of all calculations, the limiting factor is always the slowest node in the network. Accordingly, the performance of blockchains is difficult to scale elastically as needed. To address this, we have developed a generic block chain benchmarking framework and have tested Corda, private Ethereum networks, Hyperledger Fabric/Indy/Sawtooth and Quorum as well as EOS and Tezos.
Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence
In the area ‘Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence’ we combine our blockchain competencies with expertise from the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. In this way, we research and communicate current findings in the areas of data privacy and monetization or the strengthening of traceability and trust in the decisions of artificial intelligence. Further information on the topic of Artificial Intelligence at FIM Research Center can be found here. Learn more …
Curious?
Our activities
The Research Center FIM deals with relevant real-world problems both in publicly funded research projects and in applied research projects with partners in industry. Together with our partners, we develop unique and novel solutions based on our insights into the current state of research, our practical experience and the interdisciplinary and enthusiastic nature of our team. Selected projects are:
- InDEED (2020 – 2023):
Design, implementation and evaluation of an energy industry data platform based on a blockchain for the use cases “labeling” and “asset logging“ (funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)) - OMOS (since 2019):
Open Mobility System (in cooperation with regioIT, funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) and mFUND)
Project’s objective: Development of a digital mobility infrastructure (more details)
- Blockchain for notarial powers of attorney and certificates of inheritance (2019):
A blockchain-based digital validity register for notarial powers of attorney and certificates of inheritance (in cooperation with the Federal Chamber of Notaries and the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice (StMJ)) (more details) - Opportunities and challenges of the DLT (Blockchain) in mobility and logistics (2019):
Report commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) - Data privacy-compliant blockchain solution in the German asylum process (2018):
(funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF))
- Blockchain for International Trade Finance (2016 – 2017):
A cooperation project with Norddeutsche Landesbank for the development and evaluation of a blockchain prototype for documentary credits (more details)
Studies
The following studies, whitepapers and books were developed on the basis of research work and in cooperation with partners in industry:
Blockchain: Basics, applications and potentials
Development of a data privacy-compliant blockchain solution in the German refugee process
Opportunities and challenges of DLT (blockchain) in mobility and logistics
Das Blockchain-basierte Gültigkeitsregister
Feasibility study of an open and dencentralized mobility system (OMOS)
The Advance of the Machines – Vision and Implications of a Machine Economy
Supporting communication and cooperation in the asylum procedure with Blockchain technology
Scientific publications
In this area of expertise, we have published the following research papers in academic journals and at international conferences:
Von Bitcoin zu Libra und dem digitalen Euro : Technische Fortschritte von Blockchains und deren Implikationen auf digitale Währungenin: Recht der Zahlungsdienste, 2020 | Sedlmeir, Johannes | |
Damals wie heute? : Ein Rückblick der Risiken und Potenziale der Blockchain-Technologiein: it-daily, 2020 | Guggenberger, TobiasLockl, JannikSchlatt, VincentUrbach, Nils | |
Improving Inter-Organizational Information Sharing for Vendor Managed Inventory :
Towards a Decentralized Information Hub Using Blockchain Technologyin: IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 2020 | Guggenberger, TobiasSchweizer, AndréUrbach, Nils | |
Überprüfung der Machbarkeit eines offenen und dezentralen Mobilitätssystems (OMOS)2019 | Fridgen, GilbertRöhlen, JörgGuggenberger, TobiasSchlatt, VincentSchulze, Martin | |
Opportunities and Challenges of DLT (Blockchain) in Mobility and Logistics2019 | Fridgen, GilbertGuggenberger, NikolasHoeren, ThomasPrinz, WolfgangUrbach, NilsBaur, JohannesBrockmeyer, HenningGräther, WolfgangRabovskaja, ElisawetaSchlatt, VincentSchweizer, AndréSedlmeir, JohannesWederhake, Lars | |
Chancen und Herausforderungen von DLT (Blockchain) in Mobilität und LogistikBerlin, 2019 | Fridgen, GilbertGuggenberger, NikolasHoeren, ThomasPrinz, WolfgangUrbach, NilsBaur, JohannesBrockmeyer, HenningGräther, WolfgangRabovskaja, ElisawetaSchlatt, VincentSchweizer, AndréSedlmeir, JohannesWederhake, Lars | |
Cross-Organizational Workflow Management Using Blockchain Technology : Towards Applicability, Auditability, and Automationin: Proceedings of the 51st Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICCS), Waikoloa Village, USA, 2018 | Fridgen, GilbertRadszuwill, SvenUrbach, NilsUtz, Lena | |
Blockchain Lab : Design, Implementation and Evaluation of Innovative Business and Process Modelsin: ERCIM News, 2017 | Fridgen, GilbertPrinz, WolfgangRose, ThomasUrbach, Nils | |
Implementation of a Blockchain Workflow Management Prototypein: ERCIM News, 2017 | Fridgen, GilbertSablowsky, BerndUrbach, Nils | |
Unchaining Social Businesses : Blockchain as the Basic Technology of a Crowdlending Platformin: Proceedings of the 38th International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS), Seoul, South Korea, 2017 | Schweizer, AndréSchlatt, VincentUrbach, NilsFridgen, Gilbert | |
Entwicklung Disruptiver Innovationen mit Blockchain : Der Weg zum Richtigen Anwendungsfallin: Wirtschaftsinformatik & Management, 2017 | Fridgen, GilbertRadszuwill, SvenSchweizer, AndréUrbach, Nils |
In addition to its project activities, the Research Center FIM is committed to promoting the exchange of knowledge with colleagues from research and practice. Selected activities are:
- Bundestag Committee ‘Digital Agenda’: Statement on parliamentery questions on the topic ‘Blockchain’ in the Bundestag Committee for the Digital Agenda
- Innovation Prize ‘Reallabore’ of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)
- eGovernment-Prize of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees
- There are currently no courses on this subject taking place in Augsburg.
- Interdisciplinary Seminar Blockchain (Seminar, Bachelor)
- Emerging Digital Technologies (Seminar, Master)
- Introduction to Blockchain Technology and Applications (Lecture, Master)