Scientific Research on Blockchain Technology for the Benefit of Society
Latest updates
Enterprise DLT: The Leaky Trust Machine
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) comes with the promise of creating trust by technological means. While non-DLT systems often have a central operator who enjoys complete authority and little oversight, DLT systems use mechanisms like data replication and consensus algorithms to distribute control among a group of (hopefully) independent validators.
New Report: Digital Identity and Personal Data in 2020: Citizens’ Opinions and Motives
Based on a representative online survey, this report offers insights about the motivational factors for using digital identity solutions and risk perceptions towards the sharing and provision of personal data online as well as the trust placed in companies and institutions handling personal data.
Award at the best paper competition of the Scientific Track of the Blockchain Autumn School
We are very pleased that our paper „Exclusive Mining of Blockchain Transactions“ received the best paper award (2nd place) sponsored by Volksbank Mittweida at the Scientific Track of the Blockchain Autumn School.
Research projects
The BRL is carrying out a series of research projects, some of which are listed here. The primary goal is to explore the implications of blockchain technology for society and to identify potentials, obstacles and recommendations for action.
If you are interested in a joint project or exchange with us, we look forward to hearing from you.
Today’s product life cycles are complex and decentralized. It is often difficult to judge the sustainability of a product and its compliance with ecological and social standards. The DiBiChain project partners aim to develop a blockchain system that provides a digital replica of the product life cycle.
The project focuses on the topic of self-sovereign identities. It aims at creating and linking secure digital identities of things and people using the example of vehicles and their owners and users. The project addresses the area of conflict between process digitization and data and legal security.
What we do
The Blockchain Research Lab promotes independent science and research on blockchain technologies and the publication of the results in the form of scientific papers and contributions to conferences and other media. The BRL is a non-profit organisation aiming, on the one hand, to further the general understanding of the blockchain technology and, on the other hand, to analyse the resulting challenges and opportunities as well as their socio-economic consequences.
Why blockchain?
Blockchain technology has the potential to disrupt digital interaction in our economy and society. The technology’s rapid and dynamic technical development is driven by startups and incumbents alike, creating a myriad of applications across economic and societal domains. However, the implications of this potential new technological paradigm have not yet reached a broader public debate, nor have economic and societal implications been sufficiently addressed by academia.
What is blockchain?
The blockchain is a basic technology that allows values to be securely transferred directly between parties on the Internet. This can result in various advantages, such as higher efficiency by eliminating intermediaries, a higher level of transparency or the automation of processes by means of so-called smart contracts. The special combination of encryption, data verification and reconciliation mechanisms makes it virtually impossible for transactions to be subsequently manipulated or deleted.
Support the BRL
In order to create and maintain a superb research environment that facilitates independent and interdisciplinary research by our scientists and scholarship holders, as a non-profit organisation, the Blockchain Research Lab depends on your commitment. We welcome all donations that will help us to sustainably change business and society!