This pitch was presented to PANalytical, a manufacturer of diffractometers, instruments that can measure the way materials interact with radiation, which can be used to determine structural properties of the material being tested. The reason for the pitch was a conversation with scientists at the XUV-lab on the University of Twente, who experienced that lab equipment was simply thrown around when it was not being used, which increased the risk of the precise and expensive equipment getting damaged or lost, and because it was hard to find it also decreased productivity.

Essentially, there are two kinds of components that were at the root of the problem. First, there is the measuring instruments, which can be attached and detached with an aluminium profile to set up the right configuration. Secondly, there are small metal plates with slits that are used as an optical device. The first concept was based on packaging these slits in small modules, which can be assembled into a tower with a mechanical connection which prevents all other slits from being used if one slit is in use, while also creating a rail for storage of the instruments. Added benefits are that the slits get a slightly more qualitative feel through the packaging, and the module itself can make finding the right slit easier by using colour coding of slit-module combinations and providing space for information to be printed, as well as branding opportunities.

The second concept is somewhat more intrusive, but could be sold as a separate product to help researchers in creating a more effective workflow by integrating storage, planning and presenting/reviewing tools in a workstation.