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Fiber-top technology forms basis for new VU spin-off company
Experiment in fundamental science works out in business
VU University Amsterdam has a new spin-off: Optics11. In 2005, VU-researcher Davide Iannuzzi (Department of Physics and LaserLab Institute), in collaboration with colleagues from University of Twente, invented a technology for the development of a new platform of miniaturized opto-mechanical sensors: fiber-top technology. After five years of further research, the technology is now ready to enter the market. The spin-off is an excellent example of valorization and strongly supported by VU University.
Sensing in critical environments
Fiber-top technology is a new platform of sensors, which can be used in a wide variety of fields including atomic force microscopy, biochemical sensing, measurement of temperature, humidity, flows, electric and magnetic fields, accelerations and vibrations. The sensing element is machined on the tip of a very small optical fiber (~0.1 mm in diameter). The optical fiber is connected, on the other side, to a readout that allows remote interrogation of the sensor. Fiber-top sensors thus adapt well to remote sensing, also in small volumes and critical environments, where most other sensors would fail (high and low temperatures, liquids, explosive gases, electromagnetically noisy environments).
Successful thanks to contributions
Fiber-top technology was invented during a fundamental research project that Davide Iannuzzi was developing at VU’s Department of Physics with the support of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The idea was patented thanks to contributions from the Faculty of Exact Sciences, NWO, University of Twente and VU’s Technology Transfer Office. Davide Iannuzzi then secured a European Research Council’s (ERC) Starting Independent Grant that allowed further research and development. Thanks to a grant received from the Technology Foundation STW, the group could also investigate the commercial potentiality of the invention. Encouraged from the outcome of those studies, the Technology Transfer Office and Davide Iannuzzi developed the business idea that has eventually lead to the foundation of Optics11.
Scientists and entrepreneurs
Optics11 is a privately funded company. Dutch entrepreneur and current Optics11’s CEO Hans Brouwer leads the spin-off process in close collaboration with the Technology Transfer Office and Davide Iannuzzi, who is also Optics11’s CTO. The company's headquarter has been temporarily established at VU’s Department of Physics. VU University will grant Optics11 an exclusive license under its patents for the fiber-top technology.
Future plans
Optics11 is working with several different potential customers who want to test fiber-top technology. Some are from the atomic force microscopy industry, others want to test Optics11’s product for measurements of environmental vibrations and flows in wind tunnels. Optics11 will provide the sensors as well as the optics and electronics that go with it.
