Glasgow-based startup Metahelios has created a long-distance camera that can distinguish between different materials from a still image. The first-of-its-kind camera captures 100,000 frames per second and uses meta-surfaces to manipulate light passing through a material.
Launched in January 2022, Metahelios was created by Charles Altuzarra and Yash Shah. It specializes in advanced imaging technology and is planning to send its cameras to space after securing support from the Start-up loans program. With the support of Transmit start-ups, both founders received £25,000 each through British Business Bank’s start-up loan programme.
The camera uses matasurfaces, a bunch of engineered electromagnetic materials designed specifically for impacting radio, optical, acoustic, and microwave in desired ways. It was identified as a priority area by the UK Government’s 2021 Innovation Strategy.
This latest camera innovation by Metahelios can have several use cases, for example, in the agriculture sector for monitoring crops remotely or by climate scientists to observe cloud formations. Moreover, as opposed to remote sensing devices that have large moving parts including a rotating mirror, the metasruface integrated technology is compact and solid that can provide a significant boost to satellite imaging systems.
The entrepreneurs have plans to develop additional imaging products over the next six months and will be exploring additional sectors including healthcare, to support the early diagnosis of cancer and research into other illnesses.
Dr Charles Altuzarra, co-Founder and CEO of Metahelios, said: “It has always been a dream to be involved in a space mission and the development of this imaging technology could soon see that become a reality. We have so far conducted a range of tests in labs and on the ground, but the evidence and data that could be collected via a satellite will be invaluable for growing the business and taking our cameras to the next stage.
“Scotland’s space and satellite technology scene is booming and we have spoken to a number of companies interested in trialling our imaging technology for a range of applications. We are a small business with big ambitions to be at the forefront of the emerging market for metasurface technology and the funding from the Start up Loans programme has provided a welcome boost to help us to achieve our goals.”
Barry McCulloch, senior manager, UK Network, Scotland at the British Business Bank, said: “The technology industry in Scotland is thriving and it is great to see ambitious start-ups like Metahelios bringing pioneering technology to the market that could transform a range of sectors. Supporting innovative entrepreneurs is a key part of strengthening the UK’s position as a science superpower and access to finance can help business owners with essential research and development activities to take their ideas to the next level.”