Optoelectronics Technology Transfer & Licensing Opportunities
High Barrier Polymeric Wafer Level MEMS Package Design with 3D interconnect capablility >>The technology is a a MEMS package design methodology providing a High Barrier layer to vapour (near hermetic) yet uses existing wafer level photolithography & LIGA processes common in MEMS, MOEMS and RF-MEMS design. By using a novel conducting arrangement, 3D interconnects or through-cap connection is possible reducing device footprint. The same low temperature process can also be used to bond dissimilar surfaces such as glass to silicon.
Multi-channel Small Footprint Directly Intergrated Optical Sensors for FBG Sensor Network Interrogation >>Funded by a Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept programme (11-DME-003) a team at Heriot-Watt University is developing lightweight high accuracy Fiber Brag Grating (FBG) network interrogators targeting applications within Civil engineering, Aerospace, biosensing and chemical detection.
Using a small footprint multi-channel design the robust sensor chip offers an alternative to existing spectrometer based solutions in FBG sensing.
High Pulse Energy Ultrafast Laser Source For Imaging, Spectroscopy & Micromachining >>Developed within Professor Derryck Reid's group, the output of the Broadband emission Ultrafast OPO laser source is suitable for applications within micromachining, waveguide fabrication and bio-imaging techniques such as multi photon, Raman or CARS spectroscopy.
High pulse energies and wavelength tuning allow a greater stand-off distance in long range spectroscopy applications.
Hand Held, Low Cost Drug Detection System for detecting Narcotics in Saliva >>Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have developed an innovative method for the presumptive detection of narcotics in saliva.
The technique offers a simple "Yes/No" result in seconds using a low powered handheld reader and economic disposable media.
Compostella >>Compostella is a disruptive technology, from the University of Glasgow, which permits position to be measured with extremely high precision at very low cost.
The system is physically small and highly configurable, with few limitations on mounting. Compostella will be the first single device capable of measuring in 6 axes.
Improved Storage for Solar Cells & Batteries >>The market for photovoltaics (ie the application of solar cells for energy by conversion of sunlight to energy) is increasing as a result of the short supply of fossil fuels and the consequences to the environment through their use. A new type of polymer has been developed at Strathclyde which greatly improves the efficiency of solar power. The problems with Solar Power are heavy weight panels, inefficiency and high costs due to the polymer currently used which also has a negative impact on aesthetics. The new polymer developed at the University of Strathclyde will help eradicate these problems.
High Security Hologram & Diffractive Optic devices for Anti-Counterfeiting >>Heriot-Watt University have developed a patented technology whereby a single surface relief diffractive optical element is capable of producing two distinct output patterns under different illumination wavelengths, one in the visible region and one in the non-visible region. It is believed that these elements have the potential to produce a highly secure, anti counterfeiting optical watermark.
Polymer Technology for Emerging High-Growth Markets >>Ultraviolet light has many existing uses and markets currently using a variety of light sources including mercury vapour lamps and lasers. With major recent progress in ultraviolet LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) helping to extend markets, the introduction of this family of polymers is timely. Existing polymer materials do not transmit ultraviolet light below 300nm in wavelength. There are many application and markets to which polymers transmitting light below 300nm will be valuable.
Silicon Carbide Bonding - high integrity structural joining of parts >>A method for bonding at least two parts, at least one part comprising silicon carbide. The method comprises forming a layer of silica on the silicon carbide surface and applying to it a bonding solution that includes hydroxide ions. Once this is done, the part that is to be bonded to the silicon carbide is moved into contact with the solution coated silica surface on the carbide. The method can be used to bond silicon carbide to itself or to components made of other selected materials.
Thin Film Centre University of the West of Scotland >>Thin Film Centre is a centre of excellence in Scotland for the development of deposition processes for thin films, the design and fabrication of thin film products, the characterisation of thin films and the dissemination of information about the applications of thin films. Contact Prof Frank Placido
Tel: +44 (0)141 848 3610, e-mail: frank.placido@paisley.ac.uk
Optical Manipulator >>Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed a user friendly optical manipulator that interfaces to a standard port on most research grade microscopes.
Ongoing development in the COSMIC laboratory has demonstrated applications in single cell and molecule studies. Many potential applications exist in the physical and life-science fields.
Optical Dental Diagnosis >>With recent discoveries in the way that dental disease develops, the desire for the dentist to be able to detect, and subsequently diagnose, early caries has increased significantly. By adapting technology originally developed for the telecommunications industry the Institute of Photonics has built a confocal microscope suitable for use in the oral cavity. By utilising low cost laser diodes and optical fibres the instrument is capable of recording depth profiles through a lesion. The resulting curves can then be analysed and the depth and state of de-mineralisation within the lesion determined.
Blue Laser Fabrication Layer >>Researchers at the Institute of Photonics and Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde have developed a patented technology of benefit to the semiconductor industry. This technology relates to gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor devices which are most familiar as high brightness blue and green LEDs. The new technology is an aluminium indium gallium nitride layer which provides a means to optically monitor, in situ, the growth of GaN devices on newly developed GaN substrates.
VECSEL semiconductor lasers >>Compound semiconductors form the basis of modern optoelectronics technology, enabling specialised devices, such as semiconductor lasers, for applications in areas as diverse as optical data storage, telecommunications, and displays. VECSELs, a category of semiconductor laser, are becoming more and more popular because they offer wavelength flexibility from UV to near infra-red and Watt-level output in high-quality beams. However, existing VECSELs are cumbersome, expensive and of limited performance.
High Frequency Radiofrequency Pulse Generator >>HIGH FREQUENCY RADIOFREQUENCY PULSE GENERATOR
The new methodology employs types of multipliers as switches. Such devices may be found with intrinsic bandwidths of many Gigahertz and because they are designed to be high frequency components have very small internal capacitances. The non-linearity inherent in the multiplication process will “speed up” the pulse edges giving additional pulse width compression. This technique, carried out at low frequencies, also means that switch losses may be compensated at frequencies at which gain is relatively cheap.
Centre for Vision in Health >>Glasgow Caledonian University has built a solid foundation of multi-disciplinary vision research. The Centre for Vision in Health further develops this expertise via enhanced contributions by researchers in optometry, physiology, biochemistry, psychology, physics, and microbiology. Additional medical links via the appointment of two senior academic consultant ophthalmologists have also been developed.
Micro LED Arrays >>Micro-LED arrays provide a fundamental technology which can underpin several significant markets.
The display and lighting industry world-wide is being revolutionised by the advent of high brightness light emitting diodes (LEDs). Gallium nitride (GaN) materials technology is being used to provide devices at the blue end of the spectrum (violet/blue/green) and the same technology forms the basis of white light LEDs.
The geo-political environment of recent years has resulted in enormous sums being invested in chemical and biological sensors and biomedical diagnostics both at point of care and in the lab are rapidly growing markets.
The Institute of Photonics has developed and demonstrated a range of microLED arrays in various formats, all based on GaN growth on a sapphire substrate.
Oceanlab >>The University of Aberdeen Oceanlab is the first purpose-built ocean lander laboratory in the world. Located close to the centre of the North Sea oil industry at Newburgh on the river Ythan, the Oceanlab has direct access to the most sophisticated subsea industry suppliers in Europe. The Oceanlab is a 1100m2 facility with one of the most comprehensive subsea proving and testing suites in Europe. This new facility encourages industry and scientists to work together and provides access to its state of the art facilities on a commercial basis.
