They allow machines to position components with nanometer precision. But there’s a hidden issue: they generate excess heat, which hinders performance. Reducing this heat is essential to making devices faster, more efficient, and more precise.
This is where Fluxthor comes in. After studying heat-reducing, energy-efficient designs, Yorick Niessink developed patented technology to solve this problem at TU Delft. Recognizing the potential of his breakthrough, he teamed up with his long-time friend Jesse van der Linden to turn this innovation into a product that could make machines faster, more precise, and more efficient.
How it all started
Jesse and Yorick have known each other for over a decade, and six months ago, they decided to launch Fluxthor to bring Yorick’s patented actuator technology to life. They first met during their studies in Utrecht and, after working for a few years, both enrolled at TU Delft—Yorick in High Tech Engineering and Jesse in Robotics. While at TU Delft, Jesse also took entrepreneurial courses, including a course that included workshops from YES!Delft to prepare for starting a startup. So, when the opportunity arose in April 2024, after they both graduated, starting a company together felt like a natural step.
I was thinking about starting my own company after my studies, and then Yorick came to me with patented technology. It was a no-brainer for us, as everything seemed right: the team, the timing, and the power of the patented technology.
A new approach to actuators
Fluxthor’s new reluctance actuator addresses the heat problem by significantly reducing the need for constant power. Traditional actuators use coils to generate magnetic force, which requires continuous energy to hold a position, leading to overheating and reduced precision. Their new technology, called reluctance tuning and based on the principles of the reluctance actuator, solves this by eliminating the coils altogether. Instead, it increases magnetic resistance in specific areas, creating force with a single energy pulse, which holds the position without producing extra heat. This improves precision and avoids the costly issue of overheating, making the technology more efficient and reliable.
Starting up and gaining traction
To get Fluxthor off the ground, Jesse and Yorick secured several grants, including the TTT product development grant and the NWO take-off grant. Two months into their journey, they joined the YES!Delft Validation Lab, which gave them their first real experience engaging with potential customers and exploring different markets. They’ve since spoken with around 20 companies, mainly in the semiconductor and microscopy industries, receiving positive feedback to guide the development of their prototype. Also, they mean to explore the technology further to see if it can be applied to projects of the companies they’ve spoken with so far.
It’s critical to start talking to the market as early as possible. You have a business if you know what customers need and can deliver that. It’s about tuning into their needs, not just selling them something you think will work.
Potential and next steps
Jesse and Yorick remain optimistic about the future. Their patented actuator technology is new, with endless possibilities for both commercial and scientific applications. The advancement of actuators and positioning systems is critical to making computer chips faster and more energy-efficient, lowering costs, and improving production. On the scientific front, Fluxthor’s technology could also play a role in projects like the Einstein Telescope, which is focused on detecting gravitational waves.
Next 6-12 months
Fluxthor’s immediate focus is to refine its technology further and secure a pilot customer. Thanks to the connections it made through the Validation Lab, it already has a small network to build on, giving it a strong foundation for the next stage of its journey.
