X-ray Beam Positioning Monitor technology
Dr Roelof van Silfhout
January 2011
UMIP has assisted Dr Roelof van Silfhout from the School to license his X-ray Beam Positioning Monitor technology which provides detailed diagnostics of the impinging beam during measurements using highly focused beams.
Dr van Silfhout developed the Nano Beam Position Monitor (BPM) with the aid of a grant of £405,500 from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Further funding was acquired under the EPSRC’s ‘Collaboration Fund’ which required a collaborative partner, FMB Oxford Limited. The funding enabled further research and development of the technology and the creation of an initial prototype which met industry need.
The BPM is the only technology of its kind in the world. To date, patents have been granted across Europe and the USA for both the product’s design and function.
The project was unusual as the BPM technology was licensed as a complete product with the relevant technology, hardware and software already in place. The fact that the product was operational at the time of the approach made it attractive to the licensee, FMB Oxford Limited. FMB is highly involved in the ongoing development process of the BPM and associated technologies. It is anticipated that the technology will have uses in synchrotron radiation centres across the globe, where its speed and simplicity is likely to have a huge impact on quality and precision of research conducted with X-rays.
Dr van Silfhout commented: “The BPM provides the missing link for synchrotron radiation facilities and will enable quicker and more accurate testing to take place. We are very excited to announce the licensing deal, which will enable us to continue our research and development of the BPM into the future.”
It is anticipated that, in addition to its use in the synchrotron based X-ray measurements the BPM could be developed for the healthcare industry, where precision beam positioning is necessary in radiotherapy treatment. There is also scope for using key components of the system as a smart camera.
Speaking about the licensing deal, Managing Director at FMB, Nigel Boulding commented: “Our collaboration with UMIP has been very successful. Our first production systems have now been tested on a synchrotron and these have delivered the promised performance. We look forward to significant sales of this novel BPM over the next few years.”
As a result of the licensing deal, The University of Manchester has secured additional funding for a PhD student to work alongside Dr van Silfhout on the further development of the BPM and associated technologies.