Yesterday evening (November 30, 2023) nanoshape GmbH, a startup of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), won the NEO2023 Jury Prize in the amount of EUR 20,000 of the Karlsruhe Technology Region for its surface technology to prevent inflammations of implants. Researchers of KIT's Institute for Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics (MVM) were granted the Prize of the Audience for their electrically conductive and printable adhesive that can be used in microelectronic and solar modules.
"Materials are omnipresent in our everyday life and at work. On the way towards a sustainable future, innovative materials with smart properties are highly important and indispensable in research relating to climate change, sustainability, and the energy transition," says Professor Oliver Kraft, Acting President of KIT. "I am very happy that a startup and a project of KIT won prizes in the NEO2023 competition. I congratulate both teams."
"The NEO2023 prizes reflect the innovative capacity of our researchers. With this innovative power, they transfer findings to application and contribute decisively to the viability of our society. At KIT, we are very happy about the prizes for nanoshape and MVM," says Professor Thomas Hirth, KIT Vice President Innovation and International Affairs.
Jury Prize for nanoshape: Anti-inflammatory Implants
nanoshape GmbH, a startup of KIT, develops innovative surface technology for medical implants. Their latest technology allows to modify the surface structure of medical implants on the nanolevel. As a result, it has an anti-bacterial effect without antibiotics or coatings with other materials being required. In addition, growth of the implant into the surrounding tissue is accelerated. In this way, protection against infections is improved. Presently, nanoshape is working on adapting their surface technology to the latest state of the art of implants, increasing the safety of implants, and reducing costs in the healthcare sector.
