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Tech gets licensing deal for micro lenses

February 22nd, 2006 | The News Star | Related Directory Content

Louisiana Tech University officials are hoping the next standard for camera lenses in mobile phones originate from Tech's campus.

Tech has a new licensing agreement with Palo Alto, Calif.-based company Holochip to begin commercializing the new micro lenses developed within Tech's Institute for Micromanufacturing, said Richard Kordal, Tech intellectual properties director.

Holochip represents the third company with which Tech has signed formal licensing agreements.

"I think this shows the research we're doing has practical applications," Kordal said. "We're collaborating and industry friendly, and we want to see our technologies commercialized and benefiting the public.

"It's not just something sitting in the back of the lab."

The micro lenses were developed through unique micro-fabrication techniques to create smaller lenses that have greater zoom capabilities at better resolutions that currently available, said IfM Director Kody Varahramyan, who developed the lenses with lead researcher Ji Fang, Tech's senior research engineer, and a team of graduate students.

The key is the lenses can zoom in and out without moving parts. This is done by adjusting the curvature of the lens, which is only about 2 millimeters in diameter, Kordal said.

"It can conceivably be in all cell phones," Kordal said.

The technology could also be used for everything from security cameras to DNA plate readers too.

Tech began placing an emphasis on intellectual properties five years ago and began receiving royalties in 2005 for its first licensed research project — keyboard encryption technology developed with Penn State University and licensed to Issaquah, Wash.-based BioPassword, said Les Guice, vice president of research and development.

Tech could have up to 10 licensing deals by the end of the year, Guice said. Tech-based Aura Nanotechnologies is the only other company with which Tech has a formal licensing agreement for now.

But the Holochip deal is unique because, besides an initial payment and royalties, Tech is receiving equity from Holochip in the amount of about 40,000 stock shares, Kordal said.

Tech is excited about the relationship, he said, and Holochip is even considering opening a Ruston office.

Holochip owner Rob Batchko could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

By Jordan Blum