One Custom Solar Tracker Earned Top Academic Honours

JB Hyperspectral Devices is proud to celebrate the success of Marc Krause, one of our in-house technicians, whose bachelor’s thesis was recently honoured with the prestigious University Award for Outstanding Technical Theses by the VDI BV Niederrhein.

Marc’s thesis, “Development of an electromechanical system for differentiated hyperspectral measurement of direct and diffuse solar radiation,” was developed in close collaboration with JB Hyperspectral Devices and Hochschule Düsseldorf (HSD), Marc’s project tackled a highly specialised engineering challenge: Designing a solar tracker compatible with JB Hyperspectral’s FLoX system—without ever moving the sensitive optical sensors.

The FLoX is a cutting-edge field instrument used to measure solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) and other radiative properties, essential for monitoring plant health and energy absorption. These measurements depend on optical fibres that are extremely sensitive to motion, meaning any physical disturbance can compromise data quality. Typical solar trackers on the market so far fail to meet this requirement as they move the measuring device as well. Marc’s solution?
Build a custom solar tracker that continuously shades the receptors from the sun, while the receptors stay completely still.

Marc designed and built an electromechanical shading system that allows the cosine receptor (a sensor used to measure irradiance) to receive alternately:

• Total global radiation (direct + diffuse sunlight)
• Only diffuse radiation (by shading out direct sunlight)

the sun tracker prototype

By calculating the difference, the system can determine the direct radiation component, a crucial metric in interpreting SIF and understanding how different wavelengths affect photosynthesis.

While Marc independently drove the project forward, the support of JB Hyperspectral was critical, especially in the early concept phase.

“The continuous communication made it possible to create and constantly adapt the design to the needs of JB Hyperspectral Devices,” he said. “The atmosphere and encouragement to figure things out also helped.”

That’s something JB Hyperspectral takes seriously: empowering students and early-career engineers with hands-on experience and challenges that matter. This thesis directly supports the optimisation of the FLoX system, bringing meaningful innovation to environmental science. Congratulations, Marc!