At the interface between materials and AI expertise, the founding team says it has developed mivia.ai, a product that accelerates and standardizes the routine process of microstructure analysis. mivia.ai is already being applied by well-known players in the steel industry. The TGFS funds will be used for further company development and the development of additional functionalities.

Microstructure analysis is one of the most important testing methods in quality control and is also used in research and development. It is used to detect surface defects and, in particular, to assess the mechanical properties of workpieces. Potential defects are thus to be detected at an early stage. Traditionally, microstructure analysis is a costly routine process performed by specially trained metallographers or external service providers. "With mivia.ai, we can significantly relieve metallographers of a monotonously repetitive activity," emphasizes Dr.-Ing. Grzegorz Korpała, CTO of MiViA. "Within seconds, metalworking companies gain access to a professional microstructure analysis - and can integrate the result into their digital infra- and process structure in the sense of Industrie 4.0 Connected Industry. It is particularly attractive for internationally positioned groups to have a uniform approach across all plants."

MiViA's microstructure analysis currently includes microstructure segmentation, crack detection, retained austenite and grain size determination. "With this offering, we are already reaching companies in steel processing as well as materials development as well as laboratory service providers and the technical institutes at universities," explains Jessica Schneider, CSO. "We are constantly working on further functionalities, such as twin detection or the determination of edge decarburization, in order to be able to offer a holistic analysis infrastructure for the industry," explains Miriam Corcoran, CEO of MiViA. "To this end, we are in close exchange with the various companies, for example via trade shows."

Internationally positioned, the steel industry is largely independent of regional and industry-specific economic fluctuations. However, global competition ensures high cost pressure on the individual players in the value chain. At the same time, quality requirements on the part of end users have increased recently. "In this environment, the use of automated microstructure analysis via artificial intelligence holds enormous potential to save time and costs and also to obtain more accurate results," summarizes Sören Schuster, Managing Director of TGFS. "With more than 10 years of experience in microstructure analysis, the metal and automotive industry, and consulting, MiViA's founding team combines impressive technical and operational expertise to realize this potential. We are very much looking forward to working together and developing the company together."