The Portuguese company has managed to succeed and its technology is currently being used in telecommunication satellites and in the space shuttle from the European Space Agency (ESA). There is also another contract currently under development with Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer. Sérgio Aniceto, the company’s CEO, told Diário Económico: “We are still in a collaboration stage in order to qualify a Bragg sensor technology-based solution for the fuel tanks’ structural tests.
Soon we will have FiberSensing’s first systems being tested in Toulouse. If all goes well, we will be able to guarantee a large number of systems to perform flight tests.”
Funded in April 2004, FiberSensing is the “the apple of the eye” of four researchers from INESC Porto: Luís Ferreira, Francisco Araújo, Alberto Maia and José Santos. Since it is not easy to go from the academic world to the entrepreneurial world, FiberSensing’s promoters and INESC Porto sought support in venture capital companies, such as PME Capital and IAPMEI (Institute of Support to Small and Medium Enterprises and Innovation), in order to finance the project.
Later, during the second cost phase, the company welcomed another investor, PME Investimentos, that helped FiberSensing reach its industrialising phase. From then onwards, FiberSensing, already with its own facilities and human resources, started “tackling the monitoring market”. Currently with 26 collaborators, the company registered a 1 million Euro profit last year and is hoping to register a 2 million Euro profit this year.
Since this is a competitive technology as far as prices are concerned, its application will be extended to several sectors within this activity. In fact, this technology can be used in bridges, tunnels, dams, aircrafts, ships and wind generators, for instance.
FiberSensing’s CEO states that “The use of optical fibre Bragg networks guarantees advantages when compared to conventional solutions since it does not require electricity. Thus, it is possible to increase competitiveness and reduce costs, allowing us to invest in maintenance and repair, extending the technology’s life span and maximising the owner’s gains.”
1 From researcher to successful entrepreneur
Luís Ferreira was born in Vale de Cambra on 2 August 1969 and he has a PhD in Physics from the Faculty of Science (University of Porto). His dissertation theme was “Interrogation of Optical Fibre Bragg Sensors”. He had already previously concluded his master’s degree in optoelectronics and lasers and his degree in Physics at the same faculty. Co-founder of FiberSensing, he divides his time between this company and INESC Porto’s Scientific Council. He is the author and co-author of over 150 articles in the area of optical fibres and communication.
2 Product Development manager
Francisco Manuel Moita Araújo was born in Mirandela on 13 April 1971 and he is one of the founders of this Portuguese technological start-up. Also with a PhD in Physics from the Faculty of Science (University of Porto), Francisco Araújo graduated in 1993 in that same area. Currently, this entrepreneur is a member of the management team and FiberSensing’s Product Development manager. Before entering the entrepreneurial world, Francisco Araújo was assistant professor at the Physics department from the University of Porto. Just like his partner, Luís Ferreira, he also has written several articles in the area of optical fibre sensors.
3 The manufacturer of the optical fibre sensors
Alberto Maia is responsible for manufacturing FiberSensing’s optical fibre sensors. António Alberto da Silva Maia was born in Porto on 11 November 1962 and he has a degree in Electrical Engineering (in the telecommunications domain) from the Faculty of Engineering (University of Porto). He was one of the company’s co-founders and he currently holds the position of Manufacturing director at FiberSensing. Before that, he was responsible for the area of electronics at the Optoelectronics and Electronic Systems Unit from INESC Porto, as well as other departments within the institute.
4 The investor that remained at the university
Together with the other three researchers from INESC Porto, José Luís Santos joined the FiberSensing project believing that this could be a successful company. Currently, he is the director of the Optoelectronics and Electronic Systems Unit at INESC Porto and assistant professor at the Physics department from the Faculty of Science (University of Porto). Of all the founders, he is the only one that doesn’t hold a Director position at the company. He was born in Esposende on 21 January 1960 and he has a PhD in Physics from the Faculty of Science and his dissertation was about optical fibre sensors.
Did you know that…
“Spam” was originated 30 years ago on Labour Day. Gary Thuerk sent the first unwanted message in the world. Currently, 95% of e-mails sent is “spam”.
Diário Económico, 20 June 2008
Text by Sara Piteira Mota
20th June 2008
The access to the final selection minute is only available to applicants.
Please check the confirmation e-mail of your application to obtain the access code.