Scientific Platforms Overview
The Scientific Data Layer (SDL) enables rich documentation, cataloging, and provenance tracking of scientific data generated by experimental platforms. Each platform is modeled using ontologies such as SSN/SOSA, DCAT, and PROV-O, supporting FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
What is a Platform?
A platform in SDL represents an organized set of systems, instruments, and procedures used to generate scientific data. Each platform is:
- Described using semantic models aligned with W3C standards.
- Connected to datasets and observations through SSN-compliant deployments.
- Documented in a Linked Data Platform (LDP) for integration, querying, and discovery.
Why Platforms Matter
By documenting platforms in a semantically rich way, SDL:
- Makes data and metadata FAIR from the start.
- Captures experimental context and instrument configurations.
- Enables reproducibility through machine-readable provenance.
Available Platforms
Each platform includes:
- A semantic definition of systems and sensors.
- Descriptions of workflows and data products.
- Integration with DCAT catalogs and PROV traces.