14 November 2011

Two Warwick University spin-out companies have been shortlisted for innovation awards by The Engineer magazine.

Molecular Solar and goHDR will find out on 2 December 2011 if they have won one of The Engineer’s Technology and Innovation Awards, designed to showcase the best in collaboration between universities and businesses in the UK. The ceremony will be held at the Royal Society, in London. Molecular Solar has been shortlisted for an Energy and Environment award and goHDR selected for the Consumer Products category.

goHDR was spun out of the University of Warwick’s International Digital Laboratory and is developing the world’s first full-motion High Dynamic range (HDR) video system that sees like the human eye. It shows image details even in deep shadows and highlights. Applications include televised sports, security surveillance and medical and industrial operations requiring precision and clarity.  It is collaborating with Altera Corporation, a leading producer of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) used for high performance computing applications such as digital signal processing, medical imaging and broadcasting.  The goal is to develop a system that can be connected to existing televisions, allowing them to display HDR content.

Molecular Solar is developing ultra-thin, flexible solar panels, based on organic photovoltaic materials developed in the University’s Department of Chemistry. The panels can be used in portable chargers for hand-held devices and mobile phones, or incorporated into detachable car sunscreens that can then power a car cooling system.

Both companies are great examples of how Warwick Ventures can help to bring ideas from the laboratory into the marketplace. Warwick Ventures was instrumental in the development of both goHDR and Molecular Solar, assisting with their initial foundation, advising on intellectual property, and helping to secure funding.

Molecular Solar has recently announced a new record voltage for its solar cells, which means they are now ready for commercial exploitation. In addition, the company has recently been shortlisted for a Lord Stafford Award. These awards celebrate collaboration between business and academia in the Midlands and Molecular Solar has reached the final of the competition’s Innovation in Development Category. The winners will be announced on 17 November 2011.