Siemens study sets new benchmark for smart lab ventilation

Siemens has released results from a large independent study of laboratory ventilation systems in life sciences, which it says set new benchmarks for safety, energy use and flexibility in lab design.

The project, known as PEARL, compared three leading ventilation and air distribution systems under controlled conditions in a pilot laboratory in Zug, Switzerland. Researchers tested seven different configurations and pushed each system to its performance limits.

H. Lüdi + Co, a supplier of lab components and a Siemens Xcelerator partner, collaborated on the project. The Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts acted as the independent research and testing body. It executed all measurements and validated the results.

Project PEARL is described as the first head-to-head comparison of lab ventilation systems under real-world stress scenarios. The test environment simulated typical life sciences research conditions, including heat loads and potential contamination events.

Engineers measured nine performance indicators. These ranged from particle and aerosol removal speeds to user comfort and ventilation efficiency. The team used smart sensors, aerosol recovery tests and laser visualisation to track how each system behaved under changing conditions.

Airflow findings

The study found that precise control of airflow is more important than simply increasing the volume of air supplied. The researchers observed that oversupplying air can disrupt carefully controlled lab conditions. It can also raise energy costs and increase CO2 emissions.

In several test scenarios, the lab required less than half the usual air volume. In those cases, ventilation efficiency improved by up to 45 percent. The systems also removed hazardous gases and heat more effectively.

The research team also examined how quickly labs recovered after simulated spills and contamination events. Better controlled airflow cut recovery times by up to 29 percent in some configurations. This increased protection for lab users and improved comfort levels.

The results support a design shift away from fixed-purpose laboratories. The project team advocates flexible lab spaces that can handle a wide range of heat loads. These range from idle conditions up to 300 Watts per square metre.

Such systems use right-sized and well-controlled ventilation. They deliver only the air that is needed to maintain safety and comfort. They also reduce energy consumption and emissions compared with conventional over-ventilated designs.

Digital twin validated

Siemens created a detailed digital model of the test setup in parallel with the physical experiments. This model included a full simulation of the test conditions and performance measurements.

"Comparing our project PEARL digital model with real-world measurements revealed amazing accuracy. This validated knowledge allows us to fine-tune and optimize performance, safety, and comfort for future lab designs directly within their digital twin," said Tim Walsh, Global Solution Director for Life Sciences, Siemens Smart Infrastructure.

The close match between simulation and physical data confirms that lab ventilation performance can be predicted with a high degree of confidence. It also indicates that future laboratory projects can use digital twins during planning and design.

Rising lab demand

Demand for laboratory space is increasing in major markets, driven by higher R&D investment, advances in biotechnology and a growing pipeline of new therapeutics. In the UK alone, forecasts suggest a need for around one million square metres of additional lab space in the next five years.

This growth places pressure on developers, operators and research organisations. They face requirements for improved safety, lower energy consumption and the ability to adapt spaces for different research programmes.

Siemens positions the PEARL data as a reference point for those challenges. The study provides a comparative performance baseline for different ventilation strategies. It also offers a framework for assessing trade-offs between safety, comfort, flexibility and energy use.

Smart Lab Ecosystem

Using insights from PEARL, Siemens has updated its Smart Lab Ecosystem, or SLE. This is a modular infrastructure kit for laboratory buildings.

The SLE supports a range of lab types. These include basic research spaces and facilities up to bio-safety level 2. Siemens says the system allows much faster design and configuration of labs than conventional approaches. It states that project design times can be cut by up to 80 percent.

The ecosystem is intended for adaptable and scalable environments. Users can tailor layouts and ventilation strategies for different scientific workloads. They can also adjust configurations as research programmes change.

Walsh said the combination of PEARL data and the SLE creates a new basis for lab planning.

"Project PEARL is a game-changer for the laboratory industry," Walsh added. "For the first time, we have real-world data that not only confirms our digital models but allows us to refine them and design laboratories that are truly optimized for safety, comfort, and efficiency. The Smart Lab Ecosystem builds on this foundation, offering our customers a complete, turnkey solution that is both innovative and future-proof. We are not just building laboratories; we are creating intelligent environments that will accelerate scientific discovery and drive progress for years to come."