The idea to start a company centered on field-flow fractionation began to brew in a pub in Stockholm in the winter of 2011-2012. Over a few pints of beer, and well into the night, we discussed the pressing need for companies to know as much as possible about the materials that they use in their products. (What, did you expect a group of scientists in a pub to discuss their favorite beer and the pros and cons of making their own beer – well we discussed that also!)
In May 2012, SOLVE Research and Consultancy AB was launched by Lars Nilsson, Ray Runyon and Matilda Ulmius Storm to be able to provide clients with in-depth characterization of their complex, specialized materials. SOLVE is one of few companies – if not the only – that centralizes field-flow fractionation in its approach to more complete material characterization.
The name SOLVE, which is spelled with ö in our logo, alludes to our desire to solve problems as well as our first geographical location at Lund University in Lund; Sölvegatan. Sölve is a personal name in Old Norse, spoken by the inhabitants in Scandinavia during the Viking Age. The most known Sölve in Lund was the son of Finn the Giant. Finn, according to the legends, built Lund Cathedral during the 1080s and then turned into stone together with his wife and son, Sölve, in the cathedral crypt.