HeiQ AeoniQ is among the finalists for the Swiss Technology Award 2024

An independent jury has nominated nine finalists from over 100 applications for the Swiss Technology Award 2024. The winners of the technology award across three categories – Inventors, Startups and Industry Innovation – will be announced at Open-i on 22 November, according to NZZ Connect in a statement. The branch of the NZZ is hosting the two-day conference on 21 and 22 November in Zurich.

The contenders in the Industry Innovation category are Heiq AeoniQ from Villigen in the Swiss canton of Aargau, Bachem from Bubendorf in the canton of Basel Landschaft, and Bystronic from Zurich. HeiQ AeoniQ, which emerged from HeiQ Materials, based in Schlieren in the Swiss canton of Zurich, is replacing fossil fibers with a sustainable cellulosic filament yarn. Bachem has developed a peptides and oligonucleotides purification technology that is efficient and environmentally friendly. Bystronic is improving laser cutting machines with real-time monitoring based on sensors and artificial intelligence.

In the Inventors category, Mynerva and RoBoa from Zurich and Rhovica Neuroimaging from Bern have made it to the final. Mynerva is working on a neuroprosthetic sock that relieves pain and restores sensitivity to touch. RoBoa is developing a snake-shaped robot for inspection, search and rescue missions. Rhovica Neuroimaging is working to improve emergency treatment for increased intracranial pressure with a precision-controlled catheter.

DePoly from Sion in the Swiss canton of Valais, irmos technologies from Zurich and Oxyle from Schlieren near Zurich are competing in the Startups (Rising Stars) category. DePoly has developed a technology that can produce recycled PET plastics in original quality. Irmos technologies is working on sensors and software to safely monitor the service life of buildings and bridges. Oxyle specializes in efficiently and completely removing perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds from industrial water. ce/hs