CondenZero wins Swiss Innovation Challenge

Zürich/Pratteln BL, November 2021

The UZH spin-off condenZero has won the Swiss Innovation Challenge 2021. Second place and the special life sciences award go to MyLeg, third place and the special construction award go to Oxara.

The Swiss Innovation Challenge has been decided, the three winners come from Zurich: on Thursday the main prize of CHF 20,000 was awarded to condenZero . The spin-off of the University of Zurich ( UZH ) received this award virtually when the award ceremony was broadcast from the Haus der Wirtschaft in Pratteln. According to a press release , a message from Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin was leaked.

The physicists at condenZero develop and produce scientific sample holders that work at low temperatures of around minus 270 degrees. The innovative cooling principle was originally developed at the Swiss free-electron laser at the Paul Scherrer Institute . In the start-up phase, the team will concentrate on introducing the new technology to the cryo-electron microscopy market. The condenZero technology can hold cryogenic temperatures for up to 24 hours. With the current cryo-microscopy solutions, this is only possible for 15 minutes. CondenZero is also in the final round of the start-up CERN BIC incubator .

Second place and the special life sciences prize of CHF 5,000 went to MyLeg . This is a “unique” device that recovers sensory information about the touch and movement of a prosthetic leg. It does this through non-invasive electrical stimulation. The device does not have to be used surgically and can be added to any existing prosthesis.

Third place and the special construction prize were awarded to Oxara . The spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich converts construction waste into sustainable and affordable building materials with self-developed and patented mineral additives, thus promoting the circular economy. The company’s goal is to significantly reduce “the immense footprint” of conventional building materials.

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