UWS’s third venture aims for fat returns from thin films
13 Aug 2022
The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is aiming to tap into the country’s reputation as a magnet for spin-out investment, with a new company that aims to revolutionise the lucrative thin film and sensor industry.
Globally the sector is valued at an estimated £2.5 billion and this is the target for UWS’s third spin-out company to date.
Based in the university’s Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging (ITFSI) and formed around a team of six academics with industry experience, AlbaSense, aims to develop low-cost, high-performance thin film optical coatings and photonic sensors. It will license core IP, including three patents, on a global basis.
Thin films are vital components in applications such as photonic-based gas sensors, breath analysers, non-contact thermometers and advanced imaging systems.
AlbaSense founder Professor Des Gibson (pictured) said: “We aim to provide imaging and sensor solutions in a range of areas where miniaturised high-volume, low-cost measurement is required, such as medical diagnostics, agritech, environmental monitoring and monitoring of industrial processes.
“I am delighted that AlbaSense will design, develop and manufacture from within UWS’s Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging, allowing the company to retain the wide range of skills and academic expertise on offer at the University, while bringing strong industry links and economic benefits to UWS, contributing directly to Scotland’s thriving innovation economy.”
In addition to Gibson, the AlbaSense team comprises Dr David Hutson, expert in research and development for thin film devices; Dr Shigeng Song, expert in thin film physics and applications; Dr Lewis Fleming, specialist in gas sensors; Dr Parag Vichare, expert in manufacturing research; and Dr Ewan Waddell, expert in optical and physical modelling.
AlbaSense will benefit from two phases of funding from Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spin-Out Programme has provided the spin-out with two tranches of funding over a three year period worth £528,000 overall.
Furthermore, two CENSIS – Scotland's Innovation Centre for sensing, imaging and Internet of Things – projects, three Innovate UK projects and an EU-funded Horizon 2020 project, worth a total of £3 million have been secured to develop end-use applications of AlbaSense patented technology.
A recent British Business Bank, Innovation UK and UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) joint report this year highlighted Scottish universities’ key role in spin-out investment. It pointed out that 44 out of 211 involving spin-outs involved Scots higher education institutions.
Pic: Elaine Livingstone
