Viking Fund back groundbreaking microscope

A spin out company from the University of Sheffield which has developed “lensless” optical and x-ray microscope technology has secured investment from Viking Fund and other private investors.

Phase Focus’s cutting edge technology can generate greatly magnified high definition images of an object, without the need for sophisticated lenses which are used in conventional microscopes. Such lenses in optical, X-ray or electron microscopes can account for up to 30% of the cost of the equipment and often introduce distortions in the images they produce. Phase Focus’ ‘lens-less’ microscopy is not only highly cost competitive but can also provide a more accurate image of an object. It can also enable a range of additional novel applications. Viking Fund, the Yorkshire wide co-investor in early stage technology companies, has invested £100,000 in the company, along with funding from Fusion IP and White Rose Technology Seedcorn Fund totalling £250,000. This second stage of funding will allow Phase Focus to progress the electron microscope technology through full proof of principle. The previous investment allowed the company to complete the development of a prototype “lensless” optical microscope. Professor John Rodenburg is Chief Scientific Officer and developer of the technology at Phase Focus, he said: “We are delighted with the progress that has already been made on the development of a prototype “lensless” optical microscope. It has the potential to build a 3D image that will not only provide high definition images for microscopists but has applications that could extend beyond the optical and x-ray frequency ranges into applications in radar, ultra-violet, infra-red, and terahertz imaging.” Andrew Burton, Viking Fund’s Managing Director, said: “Phase Focus is still at an early stage, but it shows great promise. We believe it will open up new areas for researchers to investigate, and take microscopy to new levels.”

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