Venture Kick promotes sensor innovations from SCALE Lasers

(CONNECT) The start-up promoter Venture Kick is driving forward the market entry of the micro and nanotechnology start-up SCALE Lasers, based in Flawil SG, with start-up funding of 150,000 Swiss francs. This means that ongoing pilot projects can be transferred to paying customers, according to a press release. Firstly, the SCALE Lasers solution enables the scalable implementation of portable multi-gas analyzers. The market potential in the field of industrial and environmental gas monitoring is estimated at around 100 million dollars. Secondly, it could pave the way for an entire class of lasers to enter mass markets in the long term. Consumer electronics and non-invasive medical diagnostics are cited as examples.

SCALE Lasers' developments are closely linked to research at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH): CEO David Stark and CTO Killian Keller completed their studies and doctorates there. The founders are tackling a problem with current laser-based sensor technology in the mid-infrared range. It is considered the gold standard of gas analysis, but its portable use is hampered by the size, cost and energy requirements of the laser sources. The laser components from SCALE Lasers are smaller, more cost-effective and can be manufactured in a standardized semiconductor production process. Ultimately, they enable manufacturers to seamlessly integrate mid-infrared lasers into sensors.

"From the very beginning, Venture Kick has pushed us to think beyond pure physics and consistently validate the commercial potential of our technology," CEO David Stark is quoted as saying. ce/yvh