Bioreactors: Modular cell based aggriculture for urban spaces

Bioreaktoren: Modulare, zellbasierte Landwirtschaft im urbanen Raum

Name(s) of graduate(s):

Felix Volz

2026

Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft (HTW) Berlin

Industrial Design

Bachelor of Arts

Description

A bioreactor with a larger volume was designed for the production of plant cells as food. Integrated into a 40-foot ISO container, it offers a maximum production volume while remaining easily transportable. On site, it can be stacked to save space, so that the production volume can be expanded with additional modules. To keep costs low, it is manufactured centrally in series. This makes the preparation of the production site less complex and allows it to be carried out in old industrial halls.

The advantage is that only the desired plant cells are produced, which conserves resources and reduces waste. In addition, the process is climate-independent, enables more frequent harvests, and works even without fertile farmland. The bioreactor is controlled via a digital twin, monitored by personnel trained in bioprocess engineering. Maintenance is carried out by technical specialists. It is deployed on the fringes of urban areas.