In recent years, photonics is playing a vital role in the well-being of people. Today there are many initiatives, such as HUMAN BRAIN PROJECT, that reinforce the use of fiber optic lasers in fields such as Medical Diagnostics, specifically in Diagnostic Imaging (IMG) or Bio-image. Within the Diagnostic Imaging (IMG) sector, the Microscopy of Life Sciences will be the main niche of the FEMTOCOLORS project. To penetrate this market, FEMTOCOLORS will offer an advanced tool for MPE technology (known as multiphoton or two-photon excitation microscopy).
MPE microscopy is particularly useful in medical diagnostics and in live imaging because it reduces phototoxicity, increases the depth of tissue images and allows localized photochemistry. Therefore, it is a fundamental tool for research and diagnosis in such important fields as brain diseases, neurobiology, cardiovascular research, gynecology or oncology.
However, and despite its many benefits in many fields of science, there are still some technical and market problems that are hindering the progress of the sector and its massive implementation in hospitals, research centers or universities. The three main problems to solve are:
1.High cost and availability. Its high price limits its massive implantation in research institutions (hospitals, universities or research institutes).
2. Low usability and versatility. Currently, the components needed for an MPE system are large and heavy, which makes it impossible to directly include them to the microscope. On the other hand, the implementation of these systems requires a complex installation process and high maintenance costs. Finally, microscopists (not experts in lasers) require training in technical aspects related to coupling, alignment and use.
3. Technical limitations. The current MPE systems offer low temporal coherence of the pulses; they are not monolithic systems, which reduces their efficiency, increases their cost and complexity and does not allow the reproducibility of measurements.
In this sense, the FEMTOCOLORS project proposes an innovative approach based on the integration of the subsystems that make up the MPE systems in a compact and universal product, easy to attach and use with any microscope, reducing the purchase price, its maintenance and the expensive handling and installation procedures. All this, at the same time as it improves the technical features provided by the MPE system laser.
The mail goal of this project is the recruitment of a postdoctoral researcher from other countries (not Spain) to explore an innovation business idea: the development of a Femtosecond (Fs) Temporally Coherent Supercontinuum (SC) Fiber Laser for Multi-Photon Microscopy (MPM). FYLA LASER S.L. has recruit a highly qualified specialist in photonics, that is not available in the Spanish job market, but whose knowledge has been crucial to open up opportunities for innovation and significant growth for the enterprise.
Apart from the technical objectives, training objectives have been defined and accomplished:
-To train the innovation associate with valuable transferable skills
-To train the innovation associate in several cutting-edge disciplines in photonics including; laser engineering, optical fiber sensing, materials science, nanotechnologies, programmable optoelectronics, laser microscopy and nanoscopy.
-To provide hands-on managerial and entrepreneurial training to the innovation associate.
