At the second CDS Hackathon for the new Computational and Data Science degree program, approximately 40 students tackled a wide range of innovative projects, applying their theoretical knowledge of data-driven modeling to real-world problems in research and industry and implementing solutions using state-of--the-art HPC infrastructure implementation via bwJupyter. One topic was “Decoding a Radio Signal,” in which students analyzed a received signal to reconstruct the transmitted message. Methods such as filtering, convolution, downsampling, and demapping were used to reduce interference and convert symbols into digital bits.
Another exciting project focused on “controlling a robotic arm.” The students implemented basic robotics algorithms to develop a deeper understanding of motion control and dynamics. This is essential for the further development of autonomous systems and industrial automation
In addition, projects such as “The Combustion of Iron Particles as a CO₂-Free Energy Source” were investigated, in which numerical simulation results were analyzed and flame propagation was characterized using Delaunay triangulation. Another topic was “Data-Based Modeling and Adaptive Control of a Fermentation Process,” in which a dynamic process model for alcoholic fermentation was developed and evaluated.
The topic “Insider Trading in the Stock Market” was particularly popular; in this project, students investigated how the buying and selling of stocks can be strategically timed.
The hackathon thus offered a unique opportunity to deepen interdisciplinary skills in the divisions of data analysis, modeling, and control engineering while simultaneously developing application-oriented solutions to current technical and environmental challenges. At the closing event, all teams had the opportunity to present their results during a poster session. The next hackathon will take place at the beginning of the 2027 summer semester.