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Design and Development Consultancy
News Release from: SETsquared | Subject: Help with commercialisation
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 31 October 2003
Smoothing the way for novel sensing
technology
The originator of a novel fibre-optic sensing technology is being helped on its route to commercialisation by SETsquared, UniSdirect and the University of Surrey seed fund.
Polarmetrix is developing a distributed fibre-optic sensing technology that measures the effect of a variety of physical conditions on fibre-optic cables Put simply, if an optical fibre is affected by movement, strain or temperature the technology assesses the effect along the entire length of the cable, which may be metres to several kilometres
Most alternative sensor technologies only measure effects at specific points on the fibre cable.
Polarmetrix, set up in late 2002, gets support and advice from SETsquared, UniSdirect and the University of Surrey seed fund.
The technology behind Polarmetrix was developed by Prof Alan Rogers, a specialist in optical technology at the University of Surrey.
Also part of the team is Mark Bornhoft, who has experience in venture capital and early-stage technology businesses.
Bornhoft recently became involved in the company as Business Manager to take the project forward to commercial viability.
The company has profited from the infrastructure and professional image provided by SETsquared.
The firm has particularly appreciated the network of peers and professionals it can access as a SETsquared member, which has enabled the business to benefit from shared experience and commercial knowhow.
Polarmetrix has also benefited from the low-cost serviced office space, reception services, high quality meeting rooms and support facilities - all of which have been useful for presentations to potential clients and others.
The SETsquared team, including commercial sponsors, is also an important sounding board for ideas and developing business plans, and guiding the company in setting priorities and monitoring progress at this early but vital stage in its development.
Prescreened introductions to professional service providers, mentors and potential funding sources provided by SETsquared have been particularly valuable.
Polarmetrix has also received help finding ongoing relationships for accounting and legal services, as well as access to SETsquared contacts and successful private sector business people with experience in relevant market sectors.
Fibre-optic sensors can be applied for industrial uses in a variety of sectors including aerospace, civil engineering, security, energy and environmental monitoring.
Optical-fibre sensors are thin, flexible, nonintrusive and stable in demanding environments.
However, they can be affected by a variety of physical conditions and technology plays a vital role in helping to identify and assess the effects of such conditions.
The Polarmetrix technology, a distributed optical sensor, can monitor the influence of physical conditions such as movement, strain, and temperature at any point along an optical fibre cable, including cables up to tens of kilometres long.
The sensing instrument is at one end of the cable only, which offers considerable operational advantages over current alternative solutions.
The Polarmetrix technology is different to other sensors because it provides a distributed profile of conditions along a cable, rather than measurements at specific points.
The fibre itself is the sensor and does not require embedded measuring devices.
Polarmetrix has identified a number of sensing problems that can be uniquely tackled using its technology.
The company has received a Smart award from the DTI in recognition of the strong business potential for this new technology.
The next step for Polarmetrix is to build a successful business around sensing capabilities and applications in particular markets.
Polarmetrix plans to work closely with potential commercial users to achieve this.
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