Green Hydroponics Factory¿A Learning Factory Concept for Transdisciplinary Research and Education Chapter in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • This article introduces the concept of a green hydroponics learning factory, as a platform for enhancing education in sustainable agriculture and technologies. The learning factory integrates green technologies such as hydroponic systems, to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications by providing hands-on experience and collaborative learning environments. These type of Learning Factory can provide essential knowledge and skills to understand and improve soilless cultivation, which can help to address food security challenges by optimizing resource utilization. Hydroponics is a critical component of modern agriculture as it reduces the environmental impact, the dependency and use of arable land, and the efficient use of resources. By incorporating circular economy principles, such as recycling plastics for hydroponic system components, the learning factory enables students and learners to address real-world challenges and solving skills. The key contribution of this work relies on the integration of simulations and modeling to design efficient and scalable production layout tailored to educational and research applications. Designing a learning factory around a product requires using diverse simulations and models to identify the optimal production process while meeting two key objectives: Educational goals and stakeholders¿ expectations. To achieve this, existing capabilities are carefully assessed to ensure future scalability and adaptability feasibility. By focusing on scalability, adaptability and sustainability this green hydroponics learning factory serves as a blueprint for future educational initiatives that aim to combine environmental responsibility with advanced manufacturing processes. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

publication date

  • January 1, 2025