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Tiny miracles under microscope at Kroto
Technology that lets doctors remotely monitor vital signs of post-operative patients and cuts the cost of high-definition imaging are among the inventions to come out of companies based at the Kroto Innovation Centre.
Companies that have already set up in the European Union-backed, Objective 1 regeneration scheme-funded business incubator, include BiBCOM, Tribosonics, Activ4Life Healthcare Technologies, Cabis Group and Phasefocus.
BiBCOM develops software and devices using patented technology which allows cameras on 3G mobile 'phones to be used for secure remote monitoring and surveillance.
The company, which won the Innovation Through ICT Award at last year's Sheffield Business Awards, is the brainchild of Easa Taheri and his wife Harriet, who wanted a way of easily checking on their baby son, Ethan.
The system allows parents to see what their child is doing, even if they are on the other side of the world, without needing expensive CCTV systems or an internet connection and is now being developed for use in healthcare, transport, security, business to business and other domestic applications.
BiBCOM is also collaborating with Sheffield University on the development of a cost-effective laboratory monitoring and safety system which could be used to monitor critical equipment if problems arise and they are away from or cannot get into their labs.
Tribosonics uses patented technology to monitor and analyse thin layers of materials used in many areas of engineering and manufacturing.
Its technology can be used for non-destructive testing and analysis and has resulted in an ERA Foundation Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering, which recognises entrepreneurial researchers with potential for significant impact on the UK's economic future.
Activ4Life Healthcare Technologies is developing telemedicine systems designed to be worn by patients before and after operations to help surgeons and GPs to monitor, analyse and predict their progress even when the patient is back at home or the doctor is away from the ward.
Cabis Group is developing software to help manufacturing companies ensure they are complying with Health and Safety requirements. Since moving to the Kroto Innovation Centre the company has begun working on a system aimed at organisations manufacturing nano materials.
Phasefocus is developing an alternative approach to microscopy and imaging which can generate high definition images without the use of sophisticated lenses which can account for 30 per cent of the cost of the equipment.
Phasefocus's technology uses the latest digital video technology and a computer to reconstruct an image in a magnified 3D format, which is not only cheaper but offers better performance than existing microscopes and has applications in optical, X-ray and electron microscopy.
Aether Photonics is the brainchild of Sheffield University research assistant Ken Kennedy, who previously worked in industry and is using his industrial know-how to develop world leading design and fabrication capabilities for making Quantum Cascade Lasers which could be used in applications ranging from defence to healthcare, and even clean energy management.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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