Centre for Immersive Wave Experimentation
The Centre for Immersive Wave Experimentation (CIWE) develops novel experimental and computational approaches for studying, controlling and exploiting wave phenomena. By combining advanced sensing, distributed actuation, real-time computation and numerical modelling, physical experiments can interact dynamically with virtual environments and digital twins.
The Centre for Immersive Wave Experimentation is located at Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich. It comprises the WaveLab (acoustic) and MATRIX (elastic) laboratories. Together they provide a unique experimental infrastructure for investigating acoustic and elastic wave propagation, wave control, metamaterials, and structural dynamics, enabling both fundamental discoveries in wave physics and practical solutions for engineering, non-destructive testing, and structural health monitoring.
Research at CIWE explores how physical experiments can be coupled to virtual domains, how wavefields can be reconstructed, manipulated and focused, and how engineered structures can be designed to guide, suppress or enhance wave propagation. The facilities also serve as a platform for developing digital twins, validating numerical models and translating wave-based technologies into practical applications.
Key research topics and applications:
- Immersive boundary conditions and hybrid physical–numerical experimentation
- Wavefield reconstruction, separation and focusing
- Acoustic and elastic metamaterials
- Wave control, cloaking and holography
- Digital twins for wave propagation and structural monitoring
- Non-destructive testing and structural health monitoring
- Real-time sensing, actuation and control systems
- Fundamental studies of wave propagation in complex media
Explore the laboratories
Take a virtual tour of the Centre for Immersive Wave Experimentation and discover the facilities behind WaveLab and MATRIX. The tour highlights the sensing and actuation systems, real-time control infrastructure, immersive boundary condition technology and the experimental platforms used to study acoustic and elastic wave phenomena.