University of Bern: Free LIMS for the Institute of Geology
How a Swiss research group moved their wet chemistry lab from Excel spreadsheets to structured laboratory data management — free of charge through the LTAP program.
- InstituteGeology, University of Bern
- Research fieldSustainable waste & resource utilization
- Edition[FP]-LIMS via LTAP
- In use since2022
A Comprehensive University Focused on Sustainability
The University of Bern is a German-language comprehensive university founded in 1834 in the Swiss federal capital. Eight faculties, around 150 institutes, and nine interdisciplinary competence centers belong to the complex.
The thematic foci include Sustainability, Health and Medicine, Matter and Universe, Intercultural Knowledge, and Politics and Administration — topics that all converge in the work of the Institute of Geology.
Secondary Raw Materials and the Circular Economy
The research focus of the Secondary Raw Materials Unit lies in sustainable waste and resource utilization — connecting the lab, the field, and industry.
Characterization
Mineralogical and geochemical analysis of incineration residues and their behavior in the environment.
Field Sampling
Sampling of contaminated materials and waters at landfills and polluted sites.
Circular Economy
Recycling of metals and minerals as secondary raw materials — plus CO₂ storage in mineral residues.
Research Collaborations as Drivers for Sustainability
Globalization and technological progress increase competitive pressure — and sustainability is becoming ever more important in modern production.
The Institute of Geology cooperates with companies across the manufacturing industry to jointly find solutions for more sustainable production. The findings benefit mines, landfills, and steel producers — and ultimately the entire environment.
Structured Lab Data Management Instead of Excel Chaos
- No parallel work on a single file
- Historical analysis values hard to retrieve
- High error potential with manual entry
- No central data structure
- Multiple users work in parallel
- Simple filter finds data in seconds
- Error potential significantly minimized
- Structured, searchable data foundation
In 2022, Patrick Kämpfer from the research group reached out to Fink & Partner. He had come across the LIMS Technology Alliance Partnership Program (LTAP) by chance — a program that allows universities and non-profit organizations to acquire a free [FP]-LIMS license. His goal: bring structure to the wet chemistry lab’s data management.
The institute now continues its research in sustainable waste and resource utilization more effectively and in a more data-driven way — without a high financial investment.
A LIMS is normally rather a high-priced pleasure. We could never raise that budget with our resources. The program is really a great thing — and takes us a decisive step forward in our research.
Are you doing research at a university
or non-profit institution?
The LTAP program makes [FP]-LIMS available to universities and non-profit research institutions free of charge. Full functionality at Professional level — no hidden catch, no trial window.