Venture capital to KTH spin-offs

Plasmatrix have devised a kind of nanomaterial which efficiently eliminates undesired mechanical vibrations. Everywhere in modern industry this is a serious problem, for instance in all kinds of cutting tool operations; here vibrations do reduce both performance and precision. Plasmatrix Materials have just applied for patents for a kind of coating that absorbs vibrations. This substance could be coated onto machinery spindles, lathe chucks and cutting tools for both turning, milling and grinding operations. In addition, the new material can withstand high temperatures, it may be deposited on uneven surfaces and, most important of all, it is readily adaptable to large-scale production. A tooling component with reduced vibration properties may also sell for much higher prices.

– This investment enables us to build a prototype machine for industrial scale production, yet only a small one, says Vladimir Kouznetsov, founder of Plasmatrix Materials. Thanks to STING Capital we may now realise our first target – to deliver coated materials to customers in 2008!
Vladimir Kouznetsov, a Russian scientist with a background in plasma technology at KTH´s Alfvén Laboratory, has started this company together with Professor Mihai Nicolescu at the KTH Dept. of Industrial Processes.

– Plasmatrix is an excellent example of how interdisciplinary research efforts with an industrial partner could result in something unique and commercially most interesting, says Pär Hedberg, Managing Director of STING Capital. Obviously enough, the inherent market potential of this new substance is enormous – this new discovery has solved a central and expensive problem in manufacturing.

Bio Servo Technologies is another result achieved by in-house research at KTH. The new company has developed a servo-supported or power-assisted glove; this enables persons with reduced personal finger-power to grip things better, thanks to a set of built-in sensors and servomotors. This glove is primarily an aid to people who suffer from reduced hand-power due to accidents or age, but it may well become a boon also to professions that require extra great muscular power.

Bioservo was founded by Professors Hans von Holst, Karolinska Institute, and Jan Wikander, KTH, together with Dr. Johan Ingvast, KTH, who is now Managing Director of the company. This team does possess some very broad knowledge of both neurological disturbances – a frequent reason why reduced motoric ability develops in the human hand – but equally important here is the new engineering subject of micromechanics. The company plans to offer a whole package of products based on this new technology.

– Plasmatrix Materials and Bio Servo Technologies are most exciting enterprises, both of them, comments Lisa Ericsson, head of KTH Innovation. These companies both had their roots in the KTH research effort, and both have developed into something viable, thanks to STING and its incubator. We are extremely pleased to see the stream of new companies emerging from under the wings of KTH, and the fruits of STING´s incubatorship here.

More information here:

Pär Hedberg, Man. Director, Stockholm Innovation & Growth AB par.hedberg@stockholminnovation.com Tel: 0708 55 03 18 (+46 708 55 03 18)

Vladimir Kouznetsov, Plasmatrix Materials AB
vlaku@yahoo.com Tel: 0707 17 12 26 (+46 707 17 12 26)

Sara Öhman