FOMON GmbH (short for ‘Fiber Optic MONitoring’) was founded by GFZ scientist Martin Lipus in Potsdam in August 2023. It is based in the Foundation & Innovation Floor (GITA) on Telegrafenberg. FOMON GmbH specialises in the planning, implementation and data analysis of fibre optic measurement campaigns in demanding industrial applications.

The services offered by FOMON GmbH are the result of decades of research into fibre optic methods at the GFZ Potsdam. The smallest expansions of a fibre optic cable can be detected at any point along the cable and the smallest noises and movements in the vicinity of the cable can be recorded. Complex interpretations of the data then enable precise, fast and cost-effective monitoring solutions. FOMON GmbH's particular expertise lies in the development and implementation of monitoring solutions with a focus on two fields of application: Deep drilling technology and road construction.

Further information: www.fomon.de

GreenGate Genomics GmbH makes genome analysis accessible to a broad user community in the bio- and geosciences for the first time. It simplifies the analysis of complex microbial genome data and the process of decoding the information stored in the genome and offers software solutions and customised services.

High-throughput sequencing of DNA and RNA has become easier and cheaper in recent years. This has led to a rapid acceleration of genomic data generation in numerous industries and research. The precise analysis and interpretation of genomic sequence data is currently one of the greatest challenges in modern biology. GreenGate Genomics fills this gap in the market and enters the emerging market of big data genomics.

The company was founded in Potsdam by the five employees Alexander Bartholomäus, Daniel Lipus, Dirk Wagner, Susanne Liebner and Sizhong Yang, who together have more than 50 years of expertise.

Further information: https://greengategenomics.com

fluxtec offers gas analyses for a wide range of applications in exploration and monitoring. They address industries such as mining, geothermal energy, geohazards, waste disposal, environmental studies and gas storage.

The applications reduce risks in the development and utilisation of geo-resources. The solutions are customised and cost-effective, ranging from single point surveys to deposit level surveys. The results can be visualised in real time and are complementary to all standard exploration data.

The company was founded by Dr Egbert Jolie, a former scientist at GFZ Section 3.1 Inorganic and Isotope Geochemistry. His expertise is based, among other things, on strong international R&D partnerships. During its development, projects were realised in Iceland, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, New Zealand, the USA, Mexico and Germany.

Further information: www.fluxtec.net

Customized Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) sensors: design, build and services

Monitoring of dams and volcanoes or base station for drones - these are possible fields of application for the GNSS data logger tinyBlack. It is suitable for highly accurate determination of coordinates and as a reference station in post-processing as well as for determining the water vapor content of the atmosphere. The tinyBlack is manufactured and distributed by maRam UG on the basis of a license agreement with the GFZ. The entrepreneurial company was founded in summer 2022 as a spin-off of the GFZ. The tinyBlack not only measures precisely, but is also robust and very flexible: For example, the integration of additional sensors such as weather stations and tilt sensors is possible. The new spin-off is able to produce larger quantities and implement individual modifications to meet the needs of customers from science, public authorities as well as service companies.

More information: www.maram-ug.de

Consulting in application fields of geomagnetism and space weather

Leomagnetics GmbH offers consulting for all aspects related to geomagnetism and space weather. Whether radio communications, ensuring reliable operation of drones or autonomous driving vehicles, or even forecasting satellite orbits, the consulting services include all activities that may be affected by the impact of solar storms. In addition to consulting services, the company's services also include customized software solutions and data analyses. For this purpose, the specialists of Leomagnetics evaluate ground- and satellite-based data of the ionosphere and the upper atmosphere. Producers and users of geomagnetic, ionospheric and thermospheric data and models are addressed. Cooperation partners and customers increasingly include "New Space", private companies working in the space sector. The company Leomagnetics GmbH was founded in the summer of 2022.

More information: www.leomagnetics.com

Geological 3D Models: Conventional and Virtual (VR /AR)

VFG-Lab GmbH is a joint spin-off of the GFZ and the University of Potsdam. VFG converts geoscientific content into high-quality visualized models. Thus, the name VFG is derived from "Visualisations for Geoscience". The start-up develops geological 3D models with a focus on reservoir characterization and simulation. This enables rapid and cost-effective site exploration and evaluation of geoenergy projects. In addition, innovative 3D models are offered that can be displayed and interactively presented in virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR). Such models find application in project communication and planning, for uncertainty analysis and risk assessment. Comprehensible 3D visualizations of geological storage and energy projects make these projects more transparent overall: If non-specialists can quickly and concretely understand the project, this contributes decisively to increasing its acceptance. This is particularly useful for investor meetings and public relations work.

More information: www.vfg-lab.com

Development and distribution of geophysical and geodetic observation systems

 In the geophysical domain DiGOS produces and distributes compact and extremely low-power seismic recorders for the operation of seismometers, geophones and infra-sound sensors. Additionally, DiGOS develops tailored communication and streaming solutions for various scientific sensor systems in the field. In the geodetic domain DiGOS is a system integrator. Key activities include the development and delivery of turn-key Satellite Laser Ranging stations with the focus on autonomous satellite laser communication as a future add-on application.

Experts in Dynamics of Rock Fractures for GeoCoupledProcess Modeling and GeoHazardRisk Analysis

The DynaFrax UG (limited liability) provides clients with software-based solutions for dealing with the dynamic behavior of subsurface fracture systems during fluid injection, heat storage, and underground nuclear waste disposal. It does so using its proprietary geoprocess simulator, DcubeRock (Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical & Dynamic coupled geoprocess simulator). The goal is to ensure environmentally friendly and efficient use of subsurface resources.

Seismic reservoir monitoring in near-real time.

The fastloc GmbH started in 2015 with the goal to offer innovative concepts for fully automated seismic monitoring of geo-reservoirs in near-real time. Among others, this concerns the stimulation of geothermal reservoirs, long-term underground gas storage, but also mining industry projects. Furthermore, consulting for the solution of geomechanical problems and modeling of sensitivities of seismic monitoring networks and their optimization are offered. fastloc GmbH was founded by senior staff of the GFZ section 'Geomechanics and Scientific Drilling'.

Stone quarrying was yesterday

MKfactory offers hand-crafted preparation services for the fields of historic preservation, restoration, mining, materials testing and industry. It produces thin sections from a wide variety of materials for a wide range of applications. It also offers preparation of relevant exhibitions and training of specialized personnel.

Spectral Image Analysis for Mining.

The rad. Data Spectral Analytics UG (limited liability) provides services and technology development for the international mining industry. It develops turnkey solutions for areal localization and characterization of mineral deposits. Using multi- and hyperspectral image analysis ("ReSens+"), it works across the entire scale range from satellite to laboratory setup. Real-time visualization of mineral properties and further evaluation with the aid of artificial intelligence are thus possible. It thus offers mining companies a significant increase in efficiency and work safety.