About SurfLabX

SurfLabX is an engineering-focused testing lab dedicated to understanding how surfaces and components perform under real environmental conditions.

We combine experimental testing, engineering expertise, and custom-developed setups to help companies evaluate and improve their technologies—under conditions such as icing, sand and rain erosion, and particle impact.

Our goal is simple: generate reliable data that supports better engineering decisions.

Why We Exist

Many companies face a common challenge:

Access to high-quality environmental testing is often limited, expensive, or too rigid—especially during early development stages or for small components.

At the same time, decisions made in these early phases have a major impact on performance, safety, and certification outcomes.

SurfLabX was founded to close this gap.

We provide flexible, engineering-driven testing that allows teams to:

validate concepts early
iterate quickly
reduce technical risk before entering costly certification processes

What We Do

We support companies in developing and validating components and surfaces exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

Our work includes:

Environmental testing (icing, rain erosion, sand erosion)
Ice adhesion and surface performance analysis
Custom test development for specific components and use cases
Experimental support for design and development decisions

We operate at the intersection of:

research and development
engineering validation
and preparation for qualification

Who We Work With

We collaborate with engineering teams across multiple industries, including:

Aerospace companies and suppliers
UAV and drone developers
Automotive and mobility companies
Sensor and component manufacturers
Coating and advanced material developers
Energy and infrastructure companies

Our clients typically require reliable testing data but also value flexibility, speed, and close technical collaboration.

Our Approach

We believe that effective testing is not just about infrastructure—it is about understanding the engineering problem behind it.

Our approach is characterized by:

Close collaboration with engineering teams
Flexible and adaptable test setups
Fast iteration cycles
Focus on small, complex, or early-stage components

This allows us to deliver practical insights that directly support design and development decisions.

Our Background

SurfLabX was founded by engineers with experience in aerospace and surface technology development.

SurfLabX, established in 2021 by former colleagues from the Materials Department at Airbus Central Research and Technology, is situated at the Ludwig Bölkow Campus (LBC), approximately 12 km south of Munich. The LBC is a vibrant hub where startups and research institutes collaborate closely with major corporations like Airbus, ArianeGroup, and DLR. This synergy creates an ideal ecosystem for fostering innovation in the aerospace industry.

The SurfLabX team consists of science focused engineers with a wide range of academic backgrounds such as materials engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, nanotech engineering, surface science and computer science. Over the past decade the entrepreneurs specialised in laminar surface technology, sand and rain erosion, ice protection systems for small, medium and large aircraft, materials and processes, industrial manufacturing technology, image processing and programming.

Our background includes work on:

aerodynamic surface performance
icing and ice protection systems
advanced materials and manufacturing processes

This foundation continues to shape how we approach testing and engineering challenges today.

Vision & Roadmap

We are continuously expanding our capabilities to better support our clients.

Current developments include:

Enhancing our testing infrastructure for more advanced and application-specific scenarios
Expanding environmental simulation capabilities (e.g., higher liquid water content for icing applications)
Developing new methods for component-level testing

Our long-term goal is to support qualification-relevant testing for small and specialized components—making high-quality validation more accessible.

Research & Innovation

In addition to industry projects, we are actively involved in research and collaborative innovation. Our work includes participation in publicly funded projects and partnerships with research institutions.

These activities allow us to continuously advance our methods and stay at the forefront of surface and environmental testing.