Start-up ideas exchange

Status: Patented process | Sector: Cleantech / GreenTech | Goal: Spin-off

• The problem: Conventional methods of oil removal (e.g. after shipwrecks or oil spills) are not suitable for this purpose. Conventional methods of oil removal (e.g. after shipwrecks or in industrial plants) are often chemically contaminated, inefficient or leave behind microplastics. The industry is under enormous pressure to find more sustainable and "greener" solutions for environmental disasters and maintenance work.
• The solution (The patent): A novel, environmentally friendly process for the complete filtration of oil from water. A special surface structure attracts and binds oil like a magnet, while the water remains clean. The process is biologically harmless and significantly more efficient than previous skimmer systems.

Who we are looking for? 

The invention has been registered for a patent at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. Now it is waiting for motivated founders who want to build a company from the proven theory. Your background is of secondary importance. Whether business studies, humanities or technology: we are looking for someone who wants to build a bridge between the lab and the market. The Start-up-Manufaktur will support you in taking the next steps (funding, business model, contacts)

Status: Patented process | Sector: GreenTech / water technology | Goal: Spin-off

• The problem: Microplastics are one of the biggest environmental problems of our time and can now be found in almost all bodies of water worldwide. The crux of the matter: conventional filters clog extremely quickly with such fine particles or require enormous amounts of energy to clean them. This makes the efficient and large-scale purification of water technically and economically difficult.
• The solution (The patent): The FishFlowFilter utilises a bionic principle that is directly inspired by nature, the filter mechanisms of fish. Thanks to a special surface geometry, particles are not simply "sieved", but are instead channelled away by the flow. The result is a virtually clog-free process (anti-clogging) that works highly efficiently and consumes significantly less energy than previous systems.

Who we are looking for? 

The invention has been patented at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. Now it is waiting for motivated founders who want to build a company from the proven theory. Your background is of secondary importance. Whether business studies, humanities or technology: we are looking for someone who wants to build a bridge between the lab and the market. The Start-up-Manufaktur will support you in taking the next steps (funding, business model, contacts)

Status: Patent pending | Field: Green Building / Material Sciences | Goal: Spin-off

The problem: Conventional insulating materials such as polystyrene (Styrofoam) or mineral wool are extremely energy-intensive to produce and cause huge disposal problems. Although plant-based alternatives (e.g. made from Chinese reed) bind CO2, they have one major drawback: they attract moisture and are highly flammable. This makes their use in the construction industry complicated and technically risky.

The solution (The patent): Scientists at the University of Bonn have developed an innovative process to make renewable raw materials highly effective water-repellent (hydrophobic). A special thermal treatment with metal soaps permanently protects the surface of the plant fibres without the need for environmentally harmful wet processes or energy-intensive drying. The result is an ecological insulating material that repels water, is flame-retardant and remains completely compostable or recyclable at the end of its life cycle.

Who is wanted? 

The invention has been registered for a patent at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. Now it is waiting for motivated founders who want to build a company from the proven theory. Your background is of secondary importance. Whether business studies, humanities or technology: we are looking for someone who wants to build a bridge between the lab and the market. The Start-up-Manufaktur will support you in taking the next steps (funding, business model, contacts)