Inspiring Conference

At the beginning of June, the ModConFlex conference brought together scientists from academia and industry to present and discuss research in Modelling and Control of Flexible Structures Interacting with Fluids.

While some research in this area focuses on extending the theoretical groundwork of mathematical modelling, many application possibilities exist. Topics at the conference ranged from modelling the control of a cardiac assist device over the modelling of micro-robot control to topics closer to the focus of the ModConFlex project such as the modelling of highly flexible airplane wings and various aspects of floating offshore wind and the associated electricity grid.

The 14 ModConFlex PhD students presented their research with a short appetizer pitch talk followed by a poster session (short films to come - keep an eye open).

Broadly, the underlying tools were based on machine learning, port-Hamiltonian systems and control theory. Lively discussions ensued continuing into the breaks.

To complement the engineering / mathematics focus of the talks, Sascha Samadi from the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy gave an insight into the role of offshore wind energy in the transformation of the energy system.

Many thanks especially to our plenary speakers from within and outside of the ModConFlex project, but of course also to industry partner representatives and academic contributors for their insightful presentations!

Having this conference at Wuppertal close to the 125 year anniversary of the suspension railway, the oldest electric hanging railway of its kind was a nice side note - illustrating how pioneering spirit in engineering contributes to sustainable progress since decades (or centuries).

Conference announcement

The three day international conference “Modelling & control of flexible structures interacting with fluids” will present the best results from the research of the ModConFlex consortium.

The presenters will include researchers, academic investigators and researchers from the industry partners of ModConFlex consortium. In addition, several international speakers will be invited. The second day of the conference (Thursday June 11, 2026) will be dedicated to talks from industry and the presentations of the ModConFlex researchers.

Plenary speakers: Ning Liu (FEMTO-ST), Bernhard Maschke (Université Claude Bernard, Lyon 1),  Swann Marx and Clément Moreau (CNRS).

There is no conference fee and lunch is provided plus a conference dinner on Thursday.

Wednesday

Morning

Opening and ModConFlex introduction

Plenary talks

Afternoon

Regular talks and

Social Activity

Thursday "Industry day"

Morning

Plenary talks

Talks from industry

Afternoon

Pitch talk researchers and

Poster presentation by the researchers

Conference Dinner

Friday

Morning

Plenary talk and

Regular talks

Afternoon

Short session (no longer than until 15:00)