LAVISION GMBH

Their core work

LaVision is a German SME that develops and manufactures advanced optical measurement systems for fluid dynamics, combustion, and materials testing. Their core products include Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV), Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP), and Digital Image Correlation (DIC) systems used in wind tunnels and industrial testing environments. In H2020 projects, they serve as the specialist technology provider, supplying and adapting their measurement instruments for aerospace and turbomachinery research conducted by academic and industrial partners.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

LaVision's early H2020 work (2015–2017) focused on advancing their core optical measurement technologies — flow visualization pressure extraction (FLOVISP) and high-speed multi-exposure imaging algorithms (FRAME). From 2018 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward applied aerospace measurement: aeroelastic testing with PIV/DIC/PSP in HOMER, and turbofan intake flow distortion measurement in NIFTI. This evolution shows a company moving from fundamental instrument R&D toward domain-specific aerospace applications with significantly larger project budgets.

LaVision is deepening its aerospace measurement specialization, particularly in non-intrusive diagnostics for next-generation turbofan engines — expect continued involvement in Clean Aviation and aeroelastic testing projects.

How they like to work

LaVision exclusively participates as a partner or third party — never as coordinator — which is consistent with their role as a specialist equipment provider embedded in larger research consortia. With 36 unique partners across 9 countries from just 5 projects, they connect with a wide range of institutions per project rather than repeating partnerships. This makes them an accessible, low-friction partner: they bring specific instrumentation expertise without competing for scientific leadership.

LaVision has collaborated with 36 unique partners across 9 countries, reflecting broad European reach driven by participation in large aerospace and research excellence consortia. Their network spans universities, research institutes, and aerospace OEMs primarily in Western Europe.

What sets them apart

LaVision is one of very few SMEs worldwide that both manufactures advanced optical measurement hardware and actively co-develops measurement techniques in EU research projects. Unlike pure equipment vendors, they bring R&D capability to adapt PIV, PTV, PSP, and DIC systems for specific experimental challenges. For consortium builders, this means access to commercial-grade instrumentation combined with the flexibility to develop custom measurement solutions within the project.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NIFTI
  Largest budget (EUR 538k) and most applied project — non-intrusive flow measurement in ultra-high-bypass-ratio turbofan intakes under the Clean Sky JTI
• HOMER
  Comprehensive aeroelastic measurement project combining PIV, DIC, PSP, and LPT — demonstrates LaVision's full instrument portfolio applied to transonic flutter and fluid-structure interaction