Imaging System Set to Revolutionise Industry

The project is a collaboration between Glyndŵr innovations, Airbus Defence and Space, the University of Leicester and DL Optics and is intended to design and build a prototype hyperspectral payload for airborne applications.

It follows a successful application to Airbus Endeavr Wales, a research and technology fund supported by Airbus and Welsh Government, and will see work carried out at the OpTIC centre in St Asaph and at Airbus in Newport.

Hyperspectral imaging is an emerging technology, which uses optical technology to analyse the composition of objects.

The collaboration between the academic and industry partners will create a prototype whose data can be used to secure further funding to build a fully operational system for deployment on a satellite or a high altitude pseudo-satellite platform. The prototype will be built by mid-2019.

Glyndŵr Innovations Ltd’s Sales Engineer, Richard Hazelwood, said: “This is a very exciting project and the payload will have a range of applications, for both military and civilian uses.

“Companies could use hyperspectral techniques for a wide range of analysis – it has applications in fields as diverse as agriculture, waste management and environmental enforcement. There really are thousands of possibilities this technology can be adapted to.

“We are proud that our world class design and testing facilities will be used on this project, and we look forward to working alongside our academic and industry partners over the coming months.”

The research and technology project will be among the many new and innovative developments which will be discussed at the Emerging Tech Fest, held at Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s Catrin Finch Centre this Thursday (December 13.) 

The festival looks at the way emerging technologies are already changing businesses and what the new ways of working mean for industry, academia and the supply chain.

Nick Crew, Research and Technology Manager at Airbus and Chief Operations Officer for Airbus Endeavr Wales, explained: “With the use of hyperspectral imaging set to grow significantly, we’re excited to be working with the OpTIC Technology Centre on this collaborative and innovative proof-of-concept project that aims to address a real-world, industry challenge.

Director of the OpTIC Technology Centre, Caroline Gray, added: “I am delighted that, thanks to the Airbus Endeavr Wales funding, we are bringing another project to the centre.

“The OpTIC Centre is building a reputation as a world-class centre of excellence based right here in Wales, and projects like this help to demonstrate why.”

The OpTIC centre, operated by Glyndŵr Innovations Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wrexham Glyndŵr University, is home to 27 operating and incubating businesses and is located at the heart of the A55 corridor on the prestigious St Asaph Business Park.

Book tickets for the Emerging Tech Fest here.

Founded in 2008, Wrexham Glyndwr University is a young, bold and vibrant university based in north-east Wales. The university has two campuses in Wrexham, Plas Coch and Regent Street plus campuses in Northop and St Asaph. In 2017 the university was awarded the silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework for the quality of teaching.

The university is driving academic excellence through a wide range of innovative and industry-relevant courses, such as Applied Science, Computing, Engineering, Creative Arts, Criminology and Psychology. Wrexham Glyndwr is now a Top 100 University, rising 24 places in the Guardian league tables – one of the top 10 risers in the UK.  The Campus 2025 strategy encompasses plans for new student accommodation, car parking and upgraded facilities in the next eight years.

Published: Wednesday, 12 December 2018