
A digital twin is a continuously synchronized virtual representation of a physical asset, process, or system, maintained through bidirectional data flows between real-world sensors and a computational model whose fidelity ranges from simple telemetry dashboards to full physics-based simulations resolving fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, or electrochemical behaviour at operational time scales.
The construct originated in aerospace and manufacturing — NASA’s vehicle mirroring practice and Siemens’ product lifecycle management infrastructure are canonical early instances — before propagating into energy grid management, urban planning, healthcare facility operations, and supply chain orchestration, each domain imposing distinct requirements on ontological representation, update latency, and model granularity.
The publications and patents indexed below address this full architecture: sensor integration and synchronization protocols, hybrid physics/ML modelling approaches, twin validation and uncertainty quantification, interoperability frameworks, and domain-specific deployment cases across industrial, infrastructure, and biological systems.
This is our latest selection of worldwide publications and patents in english on Digital Twins, between many scientific online journals, classified and focused on digital twin, cyber-physical system twin, asset digital twin, process digital twin, system-of-systems digital twin, digital twin synchronization, real-time sensor fusion twin, digital twin ontology, digital twin fidelity, physics-based twin model, data-driven twin model, digital twin middleware, predictive maintenance twin, digital twin simulation, finite element twin, computational fluid dynamics twin, digital twin calibration, digital twin validation, digital twin lifecycle, building information modelling twin, urban digital twin and industrial IoT twin.
Neonatal digital twins enable personalized antibiotic dosing for treating suspected sepsis
Published on 2026-05-20 by Margaret Y. Sui, Kyra L. Rosen, Ariel Yuhan Ong, Joseph C. Kvedar @NATURE npj
Abstract: npj Digital Medicine, Published online: 20 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41746-026-02773-5Neonatal bloodstream infections remain a challenging medical problem to treat due to difficulties in determining appropriate antibiotic dosing. Standardized medical guidelines are often unable to account for the complexity of changing neonatal organ sizes and other concurrent medical treatments that impact antibiotic clearance rates. Digital twin models that successfully capture these features of neonatal physiolo[...]
Our summary: Neonatal digital twins can optimize antibiotic dosing for sepsis treatment. They address challenges in determining appropriate dosages due to varying organ sizes and concurrent treatments. This approach aims to enhance personalized medicine in managing neonatal bloodstream infections.
Neonatal digital twins, antibiotic dosing, sepsis treatment, personalized medicine
Publication
Methods and systems for creating digital twins of mobile assets
Patent published on the 2026-05-20 in EP under Ref EP4745823 by HELSING GMBH [DE] (Schmauser Dominik [de], Baker James [de], Faith Joe [de], Shah Jolyon [de])
Abstract: [0001] A computer-implemented method is provided for creating a digital twin model of a mobile asset. The digital twin model comprises a model of movement behaviour of the mobile asset in different use conditions. The method comprises retrieving movement data of the mobile asset, the movement data comprising controller data and corresponding sensor data of the mobile asset measured during movement of the mobile asset. The method further comprises training the digital twin model using the movemen[...]
Our summary: A method for creating a digital twin model of a mobile asset is described. It involves retrieving movement data, including controller and sensor data. The digital twin model is trained using this movement data to simulate behavior under various conditions.
digital twin, mobile asset, movement data, machine learning
Patent
Selecting fuel for use in multi-fuel aircraft powerplant
Patent published on the 2026-05-20 in EP under Ref EP4745384 by PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA [CA] (Weinstein Jeffrey [ca])
Abstract: [0001] A method of operation is provided. The operating method includes: operating an aircraft powerplant with a powerplant performance characteristic at a first setting, the operating of the aircraft powerplant including combusting a first fuel in the aircraft powerplant; receiving a command to operate the aircraft powerplant with the powerplant performance characteristic at a second setting; modeling operation of the aircraft powerplant using a first fuel digital twin of the aircraft powerplan[...]
Our summary: A method for operating a multi-fuel aircraft powerplant involves combusting a first fuel and modeling performance characteristics. It includes receiving a command to adjust settings and determining fuel values using a digital twin. The selection of fuel is based on operational parameters at the new performance setting.
multi-fuel aircraft, powerplant performance, fuel selection, digital twin
Patent
Systems and methods for optimizing water treatment processes
Patent published on the 2026-05-14 in AU under Ref AU2025235533 by AQUATIC INFORMATICS ULC (Gray Matthew, Gouge Brian Devin)
Abstract: A water treatment plant management method includes generating a digital twin of a water treatment plant using physical and operational parameters of the water treatment plant. The method further includes receiving influent and operational data from the water treatment plant; mapping the influent and operational data to the digital twin; generating predictive data of a water treatment process of the water treatment plant based on the mapped data; and displaying the predictive data on a user inter[...]
Our summary: A method generates a digital twin of a water treatment plant using its physical and operational parameters. It maps influent and operational data to the digital twin and generates predictive data for the treatment process. The predictive data is then displayed on a user interface for management purposes.
digital twin, water treatment, predictive data, operational parameters
Patent
Systems and methods for using a graphical user interface of a maritime factory ship with a digital twin factory ship model
Patent published on the 2026-05-14 in AU under Ref AU2024352234 by BLUEFORGE ALLIANCE (Kravitz Arnold)
Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving first information pertaining to a configuration of a factory ship, and causing a graphical user interface (GUI) to be presented on a computing device. The GUI represents the configuration of the factory ship. The method includes receiving second information pertaining to a mission, determining, based on the second information, one or more parts required to perform the mission, determining, based on the one or more parts and the [...]
Our summary: The method involves using a GUI to represent a factory ship s configuration. It includes determining parts needed for a mission and reconfiguring the ship accordingly. A digital twin model is utilized for simulating the operation of the reconfigured factory ship.
Graphical User Interface, Digital Twin, Maritime Factory Ship, Computer-Implemented Method
Patent
Method and apparatus for operating a virtual hvac model implemented as a digital twin
Patent published on the 2026-05-13 in EP under Ref EP4741187 by SK ON CO LTD [KR] (Noh Ji Seong [kr], Lee Su Jin [kr])
Abstract: Method and an apparatus for processing an operation of a virtual HVAC model implemented as a digital twin, for performing temperature control of a cabin of a vehicle, wherein a refrigerant is included in the virtual HVAC model, and the refrigerant is configured to comprise at least one of a natural refrigerant, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-based refrigerant, a hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)-based refrigerant, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-based refrigerant, a hydrocarbon-based refrigerant that is not a[...]
Our summary: The method and apparatus operate a virtual HVAC model as a digital twin for vehicle cabin temperature control. It incorporates various types of refrigerants, including natural and synthetic options. The system aims to optimize HVAC performance and efficiency.
digital twin, HVAC model, temperature control, refrigerants
Patent
AI-enabled Thermo-GNN assessment of waste-derived nanocatalytic biodiesel for sustainable and low-emission diesel engine operation
Published on 2026-05-12 by @OXFORD
Abstract: AbstractThis study develops a clean, high-efficiency combustion strategy for agricultural diesel engines by integrating spent coffee ground biodiesel (SCGB) with graphene oxide–zinc oxide (GO@ZnO) core-shell nanoadditives. A Physics-Informed Thermodynamic Graph Neural Network (Thermo-GNN) is introduced to predict performance and emissions behavior using sparse experimental data. SCGB was produced via acid–base transesterification, blended with diesel (B25–B100), and doped with 50 and 100 [...]
Our summary: This study introduces a Physics-Informed Thermodynamic Graph Neural Network (Thermo-GNN) to optimize the combustion of agricultural diesel engines using spent coffee ground biodiesel blended with GO@ZnO nanoparticles. The results show significant improvements in combustion efficiency, with brake thermal efficiency rising to 33.5% and emissions reductions of up to 65%. The Thermo-GNN framework demonstrates high accuracy in predicting performance metrics, paving the way for scalable digital twin applications in diesel engines.
Thermo-GNN, biodiesel, nanocatalysts, emissions
Publication
Intelligent dismantling system
Patent published on the 2026-05-07 in US under Ref US20260127333 by IBM [US] (Nahulan Jessica [ca], Rakshit Sarbajit Kumar [in], Delgado Carolina Garcia [mx], Hatfield Jennifer M [us])
Abstract: [0000] A method, computer system, and a computer program product for determining and implementing an ideal dismantling workflow is provided. The present invention may include generating a model of a structure to be dismantled. The present invention may include analyzing capabilities of a plurality of machines comprising a robotic system and a dismantling system. The present invention may include performing a plurality of simulations using the model of the structure to be dismantled and a plurali[...]
Our summary: The invention provides a method and system for determining an optimal dismantling workflow. It involves generating a model of the structure and analyzing machine capabilities. The process includes simulations to create a closed-loop 3D contour and instructions for the machines involved.
dismantling, robotic system, digital twins, workflow
Patent