Strathclyde University spins out mLED to develop micro light-emitting diodes

Spin out

The University of Strathclyde, Scotland, has secured a spin-out deal to form mLED Ltd, to commercialise next generation light source technology, based on micro light-emitting diodes.

Unlike other micro-display technologies, microLEDs provide dense arrays of miniature light sources, which are pattern programmable and do not require external components, such as optics and switching matrices, to modulate the light pattern, thereby making them more compact and efficient.

Braveheart Investment Group led the £150,000 funding round into mLED, investing via both the Strathclyde Innovation Fund (SIF) and the Alpha EIS Fund. Scottish Enterprise's Scottish Seed Fund also participated in the round.

Jim Bonar, Chief Executive of mLED, said, “This is a very exciting international area of technology but there are only a few companies in the world which have recognised the opportunity and demonstrated capability in this area. We are producing a platform technology that is compact, robust, reliable and versatile.”

“MicroLEDs have particularly strong potential for evolving life science markets such as neuroscience and for the emerging telecoms market of pico projectors, as well as for printing, microscopy and next-generation general lighting arrangements.

Each microLED provides enough light output to affect other materials, allowing actions such as the active illumination and stimulation of cells. They also have a switching speed fast enough for use in communications, or in fluorescence lifetime imaging, according to Bonar. “We have demonstrator kits available for sale so that developers can see if the micro-LEDs fit with their own innovative applications - we aim to be delivering to customers very soon.”

The technology has been developed at Strathclyde's Institute of Photonics by a research team led by Martin Dawson, the Institute's Director of Research, Associate Director Erdan Gu and Research Technologist Gareth Valentine, all of whom will act as consultants to mLED.

Bonar was initially contracted by the university as Chief Executive Designate through the Technology Talent Initiative, partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund.