Łukasiewicz informed about the results of the first edition of the Akcelerator startup program. The final DemoDay gala was attended by 14 teams from research institutes of the Łukasiewicz Research Network, whose members presented their ideas to the audience and invited experts. Among the 5 winning projects was Thaliana Space, whose originators are representatives of the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation: Błażej Marciniak, Damian Kaniewski and Paweł Surmacz. The aim of the project is to commercialize the production of HTP class hydrogen peroxide, based on the technology developed at the Institute.
The commercialization potential of Thaliana Space is based on ecofriendly propellant for the satellites of the new era. The hydrazine-dominated market for satellite propulsion is currently in a severe recession. The main reasons are: toxicity, purchase and operating costs, current and upcoming legal restrictions (REACH regulation).
Proposed solution is HTP class hydrogen peroxide with a very high purity and concentration (up to 99.9%) intended for satellite propulsion as an alternative to hydrazine. This substance is environmentally friendly, safe, efficient and noticeably cheaper than other options available on the market. Its possible applications include: energy, space and health and safety industries.
– In the next stages of development, we would like to introduce satellite propulsion components and entire propulsion units to the company’s offer. One of the basic assumptions is close cooperation with our Institute – emphasizes Błażej Marciniak, leader of the Thaliana Space project.
Fot. Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz | Photo credit: Łukasiewicz Research Network 
Fot. Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz | Photo credit: Łukasiewicz Research Network 
Fot. Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz | Photo credit: Łukasiewicz Research Network
The Institute’s involvement in the Łukasiewicz Accelerator program results from the need, felt for several years, for the existence of a national entity that could commercialize satellite propulsion technology solutions developed at the Institute. The new entity may allow for the further development of the Institute’s projects, the expansion of possible external programs and attracting investors.
The name Thaliana Space is not accidental: Arabidopsis Thaliana is the first plant to bloom in space (aboard the Soviet Salyut 7 station) and has been repeatedly dispatched for research purposes on other missions. The creators of Thaliana Space wanted to refer to the ecological nature of peroxide and the pro-social approach to the common good, which is both our planet and the space environment.
About the Łukasiewicz Accelerator
The Accelerator is a programme addressed to the employees of the Łukasiewicz Research Network, the aim of which is to increase the number of implementations of solutions and technologies developed in Łukasiewicz through indirect commercialization, i.e. capital companies in the start-up formula.
The full list of laureates of the 1st edition of the Łukasiewicz Accelerator competition:
- Łukasiewicz – ICiMB (Spinel – Ceramic watch glass: elegance and durability),
- Łukasiewicz – ILiM (Ultar – Precise indoor location),
- Łukasiewicz – ILOT (Thaliana Space – Ecological fuel for satellite propulsion of a new era),
- Łukasiewicz – IMN (Oriolis – Breakthrough lithium – sufur cell technology),
- Łukasiewicz – PORT (JMJ Co Mat – Anti-icing coatings for wind turbines).
Among the 14 finalists of this year’s Accelerator program, there was also another project by the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation: L’Orbit (Rehabilitation system with the function of a standing frame and motion trainer), the authors of which are Radosław Praski, Rafał Rosołek and Agnieszka Sobieszek.
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The Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation is one of the most modern research facilities in Europe, with traditions dating back to 1926. The Institute closely cooperates with global tycoons of the aviation industry, such as: GE, Airbus, Pratt & Whitney, and institutions from the space industry, including the European Space Agency. Strategic research areas of the Institute are aviation, space and unmanned technologies. It also provides research and services for domestic and foreign industries in the field of materials, composite, additive, remote sensing, energy and mining technologies.
The Łukasiewicz Research Network provides attractive, complete and competitive technological solutions. It offers a unique system of “challenging” to business, thanks to which a group of 4,500 scientists in no more than 15 working days accepts the business challenge and proposes the entrepreneur to develop an effective implementation solution. At the same time, it involves the highest competences of scientists in Poland and a scientific apparatus unique in Poland. What is most important – the entrepreneur does not bear any costs related to the development of an idea for research work. Łukasiewicz meets the expectations of business in a convenient way. The entrepreneur may decide to contact us not only through the form at https://lukasiewicz.gov.pl/biznes/ but also in more than 50 locations: the Łukasiewicz Institutes and their branches throughout Poland. They will receive the same – high quality – product or service everywhere. The Łukasiewicz potential is focused around such research areas as: health, intelligent mobility, digital transformation and sustainable economy and energy.
