A NEW spinout company from University of the West of Scotland (UWS), which has a campus in Ayr, is moving into the thin film and sensor industry – currently valued at more than £2.5 billion globally.

AlbaSense, based within UWS’s Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging (ITFSI), is the third spinout company from the university and will develop low-cost, high-performance thin film optical coatings and photonic sensors, using exclusive patented processes.

Thin films are a layer of material ranging from fractions of a nanometre to several micrometres, and form a key component in a wide range of applications, including autonomous photonic-based gas sensors, medical devices such as breath analysers, non-contact thermometers and advanced imaging systems.

The company will license core IP, including three patents, from UWS on a worldwide exclusive basis.

Professor Des Gibson, AlbaSense founder and a pioneer in thin film deposition and photonic sensor technology, said: “AlbaSense is the result of world-class research and expertise, combined with previous industry experience, which has led to the identification of fundamental market needs for lower cost, thin film and sensor technology.

“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.”

Through UWS’s Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging, AlbaSense is already working with Glenrothes-based Semefab Ltd – a leading manufacturer of microelectronics and micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS).

Johnny Mone, head of business innovation at UWS, added: “AlbaSense is a fantastic example of the pioneering research and innovation taking place at UWS and highlights the Universities commitment to supporting enterprise.”