M SQUARED LASERS LTD

M Squared is a leading developer of lasers and photonics technologies, harnessing the power of light to drive societal benefits. MSL’s products are used at some of the world’s top institutions, including 10 Nobel Prize winning scientists, along with innovative manufacturers across fields including biophotonics, quantum technology and chemical sensing. Cross-sector partnerships have led to breakthroughs in quantum computing, dementia research, cancer diagnosis and whiskey maturation. Founded in Scotland, MSL has a global reach with offices throughout the UK, Europe and the USA, and distributors across the world.

MSL’s successes and innovative approach have been recognised by a number of awards: Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in 2016 and 2017; Samsung Innovation Award in 2016; Institute of Physics Award for Innovation in 2015 and 2017; Amazon Growing Business Awards ‘Innovator of the Year 2016’; ‘Overall Winner’ in the IP100 Intellectual Property League 2017 and 2018; Bloomberg Business Innovator 2016.

Expertise covers a diverse range of applications, with particular emphasis on: Scientific research and development; Laser spectroscopy; Atomic cooling and manipulation; Ultrafast laser applications; Multiphoton Imaging (MPI) and microscopy; Biophotonic applications; Semiconductor inspection and metrology ad optical data storage. With a total of 100 employees, MSL’s core team has experience in all aspects of laser design, manufacture and commercialization. MSL is already active in the rapidly growing fields of standoff sensing/spectroscopy. Of particular relevance to the proposed work, MSL has developed a shoebox-sized, fully integrated ultrafast Ti:S laser system which offers hands-free operation and world-class leading performance. MSL have brought to market a light sheet microscope Aurora™, and are have developed WMRS for a number of applications with the aim to commercialise the technology. MSL hold a number of patents and exclusive licenses for these 3 technologies ensuring freedom to operate.

Contribution to the Project

MSL will be involved in WP2 receiving the end user requirements for modules. MSL will support WP3 and 4 with software documentation and packaging for the probe modules developed in these WPs. In WP6 MSL will integrate the submodules, packaging them ready for final integration.

Key persons

Dr Nils Hempler

Dr. Nils Hempler is Head of the Innovation Business Unit at M Squared and leads the company’s efforts in translating novel technologies from the research environment into the market. Dr. Hempler has a PhD in physics from the Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde and an MSc in Mechatronics from the University of Applied Sciences, Kiel- Germany. Since joining M Squared in 2010, he has worked as a laser engineer, product manager and business development manager before initiating the company’s Innovation Unit in 2012, which has now grown to 25+ staff.

Dr. James Bain

Dr. James Bain is an Innovation Programme Manager with experience of 75+ EU and nationally funded research projects. He gained his first degree in Physics from the University of St Andrews and a Masters from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta before undertaking his industrial doctorate project with Rolls-Royce plc and the University of Strathclyde. Since joining the Innovation Team at M Squared Lasers in 2013 he has had technical, strategic and project management related oversight of an extensive portfolio of collaborative research and development projects.