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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NEAT (Neutron based Elemental Analysis Technology)

Teaser

Summary

Hazardous substances in soil, water or food are harmful for humans, animals and the environment. This is the reason why there is a strong trend, especially in the European Union, of applying stricter and stricter statutory thresholds. Therefore, analytical technologies for monitoring and supervision of statutory thresholds are particularly important. Environmental samples must be analysed for their elemental compositions with a high throughput in order to meet an expected increasing demand.
Conventional destructive analytical methods for multi-element analysis used in environmental analysis require chemical pulping by strong acids. Samples necessarily need to be small. Existing non-destructive methods, such as X-ray Fluorescence Analysis (XRF), are only convenient for small homogeneous samples. It is restricted to surface analysis and a limited number of elements.
AiNT has developed an innovative non-destructive and non-contact analytical technology for complete multi-element detection using neutrons as probes. The technology enables an analysis of large environmental samples in a short time without sample preparation. Compared to existing methods, samples can be stored to preserve evidence. Costs for analysis will be significantly reduced.
The developed methodology opens the opportunity for AiNT to enter the market of environmental analysis with a unique product. This sector promises high growth rates regarding an ongoing trend towards an extension of environmental protection. The measurement system is currently built in a technical centre of AiNT. Analysis results are created automatically by the developed evaluation software. Results are digitally available and can be uploaded to a cloud-based database for direct access and post-processing. With our technology, we are able to deliver complete results within a single measurement, which means true added value for the customer in terms of reduced costs, simplicity and completeness of measurement results.

Work performed

Since 2018 AiNT operates the prototype facility ZEBRA in a company owned technical centre. The focus of ZEBRA is to demonstrate the performance of the technology for different market segments like the analysis of environmental samples, metallic scrap, electronical or mineral waste. AiNT established an internal business division called PEAKÂ® Analytical Systems (www.peak-analytical.com). Within the NEAT project we carried out a feasibility study to develop this business segment.
As part of this study we investigated the market for analytical services and performed a price survey. The market is dominated by less than ten big companies like Eurofins Scientific SE or AGROLAB GmbH. Nevertheless, there are still more than 300 small companies in the EU that offer analytical services. Our price survey showed a complex and non-transparent price structure of the market, in which prices for sample analysis range from 200 â‚¬ up to 2.000 â‚¬, depending on company specific services. Based on our study and a bottom-up approach we build a price model starting at 250 â‚¬ per analysis up to 500 â‚¬ per analysis, depending on number of elements to be analysed and customer requested sensitivity. Based on this price model we developed a price strategy, which is a mix of book building, skimming and long-term pricing strategy, taking AiNTÂ´s USPs (transparency process, short time for the analysis < 48 h etc.) into account.

Final results

Furthermore, we used the feasibility study to search partners for the entry of the analytical services market. In March 2019 we launched measurement campaigns with two partners to determine the performance of the technology using a variety of reference materials (electronic and mineral waste etc.). Initial results are promising, we still work on the data analysis to make clear statements regarding matrix and element specific limits of detection as well as needed time for the analysis evaluation. This effort also includes adapted concepts for the market entry.
As an output of the NEAT project we currently develop a business plan based on the results of the feasibility study. This effort includes the stakeholder management (i.e. AiNT has to involve regulation authorities) as well as a Go-To-Market strategy.