PhD student Paul Webster and Queen’s University’s PARTEQ Innovations have launched a new startup company, Laser Depth Dynamics, to commercialize an innovative tool based on his research that promises to give a competitive advantage to Ontario’s manufacturing sector.

“Our association with Queen’s also allows us to keep on top of the cutting-edge developments in the field that could impact our business,” says Mr. Webster. “Our proximity to the research lab means I can remain involved and continue to contribute to Queen’s and its academic mission. We also get a first look at the up and coming talent in the next generation of researchers and have the flexibility to work with them on our real-world problems that have the potential to generate significant academic and industrial impact.

Mr. Webster’s inline coherent imaging (ICI) technology allows direct measurement and control of depth in laser welding and drilling. It offers the capability to improve quality and safety and reduce manufacturing costs in products as diverse as solar panels, batteries, cars and jet engines, and eventually in health care applications such as medical implants and surgery on human tissue.

Laser Depth Dynamics was awarded the 2012 Martin Walmsley Fellowship for Technological Entrepreneurship from the Ontario Centres of Excellence at their annual general meeting last night. The award provides the company with $100,000 in seed funding over the next two years to bring the commercial product to market.

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PARTEQ Innovations is the not-for-profit technology transfer office founded by Queen’s University. PARTEQ is a founding member of the Rideau Commercialization Network, a partnership with the Ottawa Technology Transfer Network to grow Eastern Ontario’s innovation capacity. PARTEQ works with institutional researchers and the business and venture capital communities to bring early stage technologies to market.