Innovative ultrasound device wins IMechE investment

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has invested in Bristol-based company Inductosense, as part of the £2m Stephenson Fund.

The firm, a spin-out of Bristol University, is developing ultrasound sensors for monitoring corrosion, cracks or defects. The technology is known as the WAND (Wireless and Non-Destructive system) – a small, passive wireless sensor is permanently attached to a structure and measurements can be taken using a probe, even if the structures are beneath a layer of material.

This leads to a significant reduction in cost and downtime associated with conventional monitoring. “Over the past year we have had great success in development of the technology and commercial traction,” said Matt Butcher, the chief executive of Inductosense. “With the investment we want to accelerate our pace and progress from trials to commercial deployment of sensors. We are also commercialising some exciting new products.”

Stephen Tetlow, IMechE’s chief executive, said the technology “has the potential to cut maintenance and downtime costs of wind turbines, nuclear power plants and other large infrastructure – making maintenance more efficient and low-cost”.

“It is exciting that we can support cutting-edge technologies, like those being developed by Inductosense that are, in George Stephenson’s words, ‘likely to be useful to the world’," he added. "The institution wants to help companies overcome the hurdle between research and development and bringing a product to market. Apart from the monetary investment, this will also connect Inductosense to the vast resources and network of the institution and its membership.”