Episode 53: How to build a deep tech company in aerospace from scratch, with Henry Bilinsky, founderCEO of MicroTau

FrazPod

Henry joins us to talk about his journey and experiences with surface science, engineering, and the US Airforce.

Timestamps

0:35 – How did MicroTau come to be?

2:08 – Henry discusses his involvement with InnoCentive challenges

5:16 – A challenge from the US Air Force Research Laboratory

6:26 – What is drag?

8:26 – How riblets found on shark skin can reduce drag

11:20 – Printing with light to create nano-scale features on surfaces

15:14 – Henry talks about his unexpected success with the US Air Force challenge

17:54 – Submitting a business proposal to the US Air Force

19:47 – The process of implementing the technology

22:13 – The carbon and cost savings associated with reducing friction drag on large-scale aircrafts

24:04 – The applications of MicroTau’s technology

27:18 – How the product will scale to large-scale surfaces

28:37 – MicroTau’s revenue model

30:35 – The process of approval in a highly-regulated industry

32:45 – MicroTau’s funding sources

33:30 – Support for start-ups in Australia

35:27 – What are some of the other applications for these riblets?

40:37 – Different types of surfaces and their applications

41:11 – Gecko pads

43:08 – Optical applications including visual adaptive camouflage

46:00 – Namib beetles

47:08 – What’s next for MicroTau?

48:48 – Growing the team

50:02 – MicroTau’s first active flight test this year