Heriot-Watt University has entered a five-year partnership with ultrafast laser manufacturer Chromacity (both in Edinburgh, Scotland). The agreement enhances the continued close collaboration between the two, with Chromacity ideally positioned to commercialize academic research in the field of laser-related photonics.
Heriot-Watt University is renowned for its expertise in photonics and ultrafast laser physics, with a 100-strong research community and 400 technology outputs cited in the top 10% in the world. Together, the partnership will explore and develop commercialization opportunities through joint funding applications, research projects, and technology licensing agreements.
Heriot-Watt will also provide Chromacity with access to state-of-the-art lab facilities, workshops and research staff in the photonics field, while Chromacity supports the University by seconding at least one PhD or EngD student per year.
Chromacity’s technology is all about accuracy and control of light, and this skill supports a wide range of applications within spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, according to Prof. Patrik Öhberg, who leads the University’s Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPAQS). This agreement aims to facilitate the transformation of Heriot-Watt’s fundamental research into commercial opportunities by leveraging Chromacity’s expertise in developing ultrafast lasers for academic and industrial markets, he adds.
To date, the partnership has produced innovative laser solutions to global challenges by focusing on the development of next-generation optical parametric oscillators, which are critical for applications such as detection of gases that are harmful to people, assets and the environment.