Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DeltaSTAR (Deformable Phase Plates for Adaptive Optics applied to Ophthalmology and Microscopy)
Reporting period: 2024-10-01 to 2025-09-30
Early detection of blindness-causing retinal diseases requires seeing individual cells in living eyes—currently possible only with €150,000-300,000 specialized systems in elite research hospitals. Cancer researchers need real-time neuron imaging deep in brain tissue. Cellular biologists must observe dynamic processes inside living cells beneath the surface. Semiconductor manufacturers must spot nanometer-scale defects. All highly benefit from adaptive optics—technology correcting optical imperfections in real-time—but existing solutions remain prohibitively expensive, bulky, and complex.
DeltaSTAR, a 24-month EIC Accelerator project advances Phaseform GmbH's breakthrough Deformable Phase Plate (DPP) technology from laboratory prototype to market-ready product with mass manufacturing capability. Unlike traditional adaptive optics that use deformable mirrors to reflect light, DPP works in transmission—light passes through like a lens—enabling plug-and-play integration into existing microscopes and imaging systems without optical redesign.
The project delivers on: Manufacturing industrialization—transfer production to qualified European foundries with scalable manufacturing processes. Performance enhancement—optimize optical transmission, improve actuation capabilities, and develop specialized product variants for different applications. Product portfolio—create integrated ecosystems from components to modules with software support. Market entry—establish partnerships with leading manufacturers in microscopy and ophthalmic diagnostics sectors.
By project completion, Phaseform will achieve manufacturing readiness and establish strategic partnerships, positioning the company for significant revenue growth and expanded employment—democratizing advanced imaging worldwide.
DeltaSTAR, a 24-month EIC Accelerator project advances Phaseform GmbH's breakthrough Deformable Phase Plate (DPP) technology from laboratory prototype to market-ready product with mass manufacturing capability. Unlike traditional adaptive optics that use deformable mirrors to reflect light, DPP works in transmission—light passes through like a lens—enabling plug-and-play integration into existing microscopes and imaging systems without optical redesign.
The project delivers on: Manufacturing industrialization—transfer production to qualified European foundries with scalable manufacturing processes. Performance enhancement—optimize optical transmission, improve actuation capabilities, and develop specialized product variants for different applications. Product portfolio—create integrated ecosystems from components to modules with software support. Market entry—establish partnerships with leading manufacturers in microscopy and ophthalmic diagnostics sectors.
By project completion, Phaseform will achieve manufacturing readiness and establish strategic partnerships, positioning the company for significant revenue growth and expanded employment—democratizing advanced imaging worldwide.
Year 1 achieved strong momentum across technical development, manufacturing preparation, and market validation.
Technical Performance: Anti-reflection coating optimization achieved improved broadband transmission for photon-sensitive applications. Force-enhanced architectures demonstrated increased stroke capabilities enabling correction of more pronounced aberrations. Comprehensive robustness characterization validated performance across wide temperature ranges and device orientations. Alternative optical materials (liquids and membranes) systematically evaluated and qualified. Potential substantial cycle time reduction evaluated with roll-to-roll membrane manufacturing.
Product Development and Software: Successfully prototyped specialized variants including large-aperture configurations for microscopy and neuroscience applications and optimized designs for deep-tissue imaging. Software platform achieved commercial readiness with validated integration across major microscopy environments enabling native integration with widely-adopted research platforms. Demonstration systems developed and deployed as a microscopy addon at the camera port, enabling hands-on evaluations and resolution and contrast enhancements for commercial microscopes.
Manufacturing Readiness: Evaluation of European foundry capabilities resulted in dual-supplier strategy. Technology transfer methodology documented comprehensively. Lithography designs finalized for industrial-scale wafer production; microfluidic fabrication processes validated. Established solid foundations for dedicated assembly and quality control facilities with digital tracking. Advanced tooling developed for critical manufacturing steps. Cleanroom infrastructure implementation progressing toward industry-standard certification.
Market Validation: International conference participation generated significant interest with demonstration hardware producing commercial inquiries from research institutions and microscopy facilities alike. Technical workshops with leading OEM manufacturers validated system performance and established integration pathways. Comprehensive market analysis confirmed commercial projections. Strategic discussions advancing with partners across microscopy and ophthalmic diagnostics sectors.
Technical Performance: Anti-reflection coating optimization achieved improved broadband transmission for photon-sensitive applications. Force-enhanced architectures demonstrated increased stroke capabilities enabling correction of more pronounced aberrations. Comprehensive robustness characterization validated performance across wide temperature ranges and device orientations. Alternative optical materials (liquids and membranes) systematically evaluated and qualified. Potential substantial cycle time reduction evaluated with roll-to-roll membrane manufacturing.
Product Development and Software: Successfully prototyped specialized variants including large-aperture configurations for microscopy and neuroscience applications and optimized designs for deep-tissue imaging. Software platform achieved commercial readiness with validated integration across major microscopy environments enabling native integration with widely-adopted research platforms. Demonstration systems developed and deployed as a microscopy addon at the camera port, enabling hands-on evaluations and resolution and contrast enhancements for commercial microscopes.
Manufacturing Readiness: Evaluation of European foundry capabilities resulted in dual-supplier strategy. Technology transfer methodology documented comprehensively. Lithography designs finalized for industrial-scale wafer production; microfluidic fabrication processes validated. Established solid foundations for dedicated assembly and quality control facilities with digital tracking. Advanced tooling developed for critical manufacturing steps. Cleanroom infrastructure implementation progressing toward industry-standard certification.
Market Validation: International conference participation generated significant interest with demonstration hardware producing commercial inquiries from research institutions and microscopy facilities alike. Technical workshops with leading OEM manufacturers validated system performance and established integration pathways. Comprehensive market analysis confirmed commercial projections. Strategic discussions advancing with partners across microscopy and ophthalmic diagnostics sectors.
DeltaSTAR advances adaptive optics across dimensions previously considered mutually exclusive.
Architectural Revolution: All existing adaptive optics systems use deformable mirrors requiring complex beam-folding optical designs and high integration costs. DPP's transmissive architecture—light passes through—enables direct insertion into existing microscopes and ophthalmoscopes. What previously required months of optical engineering and substantial hardware modifications becomes plug-and-play installation. Validated performance across broad temperature ranges and device orientations enables deployment in varied environments and use cases far beyond temperature-controlled research laboratories.
Integration Simplicity: Transmissive nature and software integration with major microscopy platforms enables adoption without retraining. Sensorless algorithms eliminate expensive additional wavefront sensors, further reducing barriers. Versatile technology supports multiple form factors, from standalone components to modules and systems, accommodating diverse customer requirements.
Manufacturing Scalability: Roll-to-roll membrane coating demonstrates potential for substantial cycle time reduction compared to batch processes. Combined with a dual-foundry European supply chain, this establishes a replicable framework for volume precision photonics.
Architectural Revolution: All existing adaptive optics systems use deformable mirrors requiring complex beam-folding optical designs and high integration costs. DPP's transmissive architecture—light passes through—enables direct insertion into existing microscopes and ophthalmoscopes. What previously required months of optical engineering and substantial hardware modifications becomes plug-and-play installation. Validated performance across broad temperature ranges and device orientations enables deployment in varied environments and use cases far beyond temperature-controlled research laboratories.
Integration Simplicity: Transmissive nature and software integration with major microscopy platforms enables adoption without retraining. Sensorless algorithms eliminate expensive additional wavefront sensors, further reducing barriers. Versatile technology supports multiple form factors, from standalone components to modules and systems, accommodating diverse customer requirements.
Manufacturing Scalability: Roll-to-roll membrane coating demonstrates potential for substantial cycle time reduction compared to batch processes. Combined with a dual-foundry European supply chain, this establishes a replicable framework for volume precision photonics.