The Gebert Rüf Foundation is funding another BFH start-up

The polishing of metal parts plays a central role in many industrial manufacturing processes. Highly polished surfaces have numerous advantages, such as increased corrosion and wear resistance and biocompatibility, but also an optical shine. In order to solve the limitations and problems of conventional technologies, the start-up Swiss Plasma Polishing is developing a machine for a new type of polishing process. For this project, Yan Scholl, assistant at the Institute for Human Centered Engineering HuCE at Bern University of Applied Sciences BFH, has received CHF 150,000 in funding from the Gebert Rüf Foundation as part of the “First Ventures” programme. The process developed by Swiss Plasma Polishing uses a plasma electrolyte jet allowing precise and localised polishing of the intended areas only. In addition, the use of electrolytes containing solely environmentally-friendly salts makes the process more sustainable, compared to conventional electrochemical polishing. BFH scientists have already conducted research on the process within the scope of two Innosuisse projects. Their plan now is to develop the prototype into a market-ready machine.

An extension of the graduation thesis

The First Ventures programme of the Gebert Rüf Foundation supports bachelor’s and master’s students from universities of applied sciences who are developing an innovative business idea in their graduation thesis. It gives them the chance to turn their idea into new products or services. In addition to financial support, the funding includes individual business training and a coaching programme, which should equip the founders in the best possible way for the successful implementation of their business idea.