NanoLockin receives coaching and cash boost

Nanoparticles are found in many products such as cosmetics, food and clothing, and can lead to devastating problems both medically and environmentally. Current systems like integrating silver nanoparticles in apparel to ward off bacteria in sports clothing are being used, yet the issue of nanoparticle concentration in fibers and whether these particles can leach off fibers and affect the wearer’s skin have not been addressed.

To respond to this issue, researchers at the Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI) at the University of Fribourg developed a novel characterization method, NanoLockin, to help optimize the design of nanoparticles.

Operated by the institute’s first startup, NanoLockin, which was officially launched in February 2018, the technology relies on an alternating magnetic field and infrared by imaging the system’s built-in infrared camera to precisely measure the heat produced by the nanoparticles. The results are then evaluated using software specially developed for the system. An algorithm helps specifically determine the nanoparticles’ heating properties based on how they react to the magnetic field. Without any contact between the measurements device and the sample, NanoLockins system allows for observation of nanoparticles in a realistic environment and costs up to five times less than the market competition.

Thestartup has now received two forms of support to facilitate the next steps of development. Fri Up will coach the management team to develop their commercial strategy and the CHF 150,000 interest-free loan granted by Seed Capital Fribourg will be used to finalize a series of prototypes.

(ran)