This project provides an overview about the new research initiative at the University of Applied Science Dresden and different partners of an open network.

The research group investigates different solutions for vertical farming technologies based on hydroponic or aquaponic systems. These systems should be located in a former industrial building with 6 floors within the city Dresden, where supplemental light is needed. For light sources different options are available und tested. Energy costs are the main costs for crops with high light demand. Alternative energy sources are discussed.

A vertical farm not only produces higher plants for food supply, but can also fulfil other functions such as water purification, various waste management tasks and even provides beneficial psychological health effects for people in large cities and agro tourism as well.

Because the high costs for the vertical farm itself, failure is no option. Detection of stressful situations of plants presents a seductive possibility to discover harmful circumstances before a permanent damage or losses of plants appears. The quantification of ethylene (C₂H₄) as a stress hormone involves a number of advantages but also requires a new method of measurement and sensor technology. It is an integrative procedure of ethylene measurement demonstrates the ethylene emission of the plant depending on single stress situations. Investigations with salt, physical and UV- stress were carried out.