Phlux Technology wins UK start-up award
Phlux Technology, a University of Sheffield spin-out, has won the UK Institute of Physics (IOP) Business Start-Up Award 2024.
The award, presented at the Houses of Parliament, London, celebrates young companies leveraging physics for innovation and impact. It recognised Phlux’s Aura family of Noiseless InGaAs infrared (IR) sensors, which set new standards for sensitivity and performance in optical systems like LiDAR, laser range finders, and optical communications.
Phlux’s patented compound semiconductor technology results in a 12 times sensitivity boost for 1550 nm InGaAs avalanche photodiodes (APDs) in IR sensing applications. This extends the range of optical systems by up to 50 percent for a given laser power while significantly reducing costs and size.
Designed as drop-in replacements for conventional APDs, Aura sensors provide instant performance improvements, making them a game-changer for multiple industries worldwide.
Ben White, CEO of Phlux, said: “This award reflects the incredible effort of our team and the transformative potential of Aura. We are proud to push the boundaries of physics innovation to deliver real-world impact across industries.”
Phlux began shipping production quantities of its sensors in early 2024 and has already seen strong demand, particularly in North America.
Two other companies also received an IoP Business Start-Up 2024 award at the event: Metasonixx for its acoustic materials and Silveray for its colour X-ray cameras.
Photograph left to right: Phlux Technology co-founders Chee Hing Tan (head of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Sheffield), Jo Shien Ng (professor of Semiconductor Devices, University of Sheffield), and Ben White (CEO)
