“Handheld and Portable photometer”- Yes you read it right. The first thing that generally comes to our mind about spectrophotometer is the big box like structure difficult to carry or move around. Tip Biosystems, a “NUS startup” based in Singapore, has come up with next generation of personal handheld UV-Visible Spectrophotometer called Photopette®.
Spectrophotometers are benchtop devices of significant bulk and cost with hardwired data connectivity that requires a dedicated computer. Tip Biosystems is revolutionizing how spectrophotometry is performed in the laboratory. The Photopette® is both handheld and portable using a disposable CuveTip™ for photometric measurements and offering performance and seamless integration with cloud, web and mobile computing, as expected from contemporary devices and applications.
Photopette®
When asked about the uniqueness and benefit over traditional spectrophotometer, we found out that the Photopette® delivers wavelength capabilities of existing photometers in a palm-size device, enabled via smart mobile devices. Also, it will be priced at a fraction of conventional UV-Vis Spectrophotometers while still providing the performance needed for existing photometric applications. The Photopette® is fully designed and developed in Singapore offering German engineering and precision standards.
Why Photopette?
The key features of this innovation apart from being handheld, portable & affordable includes Ultra-Fast Measurements (~sec), Apps Support for Tablets and Smart-Phones (iOS) and (Android), Data Upload to Cloud Storage or Your LIMS and Standard or Custom Multiple Wavelengths.
There will be no cross contamination or Sample Transfer Steps. It can be easily used within Bio Safety cabinets using a small sample volume. It also comes with the features like Geo-Tagging, Time Stamp & Visual Capabilities.
The company aims to make this device available for the global markets at the start of H1 2017. The device is aimed at revolutionizing application workflows in the key industries where UV-Vis measurements are routinely performed such as
- Education & Teaching
- Life Sciences & Research
- Food & Beverage
- Energy & Chemical
- Poultry, Feed & Livestock
- Clinical Diagnostics & Pharma
The company is looking forward to creating a distribution network of dealers in key regional markets, (beginning its entry into the fastest growing region in the world, being the Asia Pacific region) including sales and support channels in Europe and North America planned consecutively. They wish to establish its presence and provide value to customers through a carefully selected and appointed distribution sales support channels.
Man behind the innovation
The face behind this innovation is Assoc. Prof. Dieter Trau, who is the founder and main inventor of the company’s technology and leading business development and research. Assoc. Prof. Dieter holds a PhD in Chemistry from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). Currently he is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Dieter is a Serial inventor-entrepreneur and previously founded AYOXXA Biosystems in Singapore and Germany.
When asked about his journey and words of motivation to fellow start-ups, Assoc. Prof. Dieter mentioned:
Start- up vision and journey begins with a value proposition that addresses or solves a need in the marketplace at a price that the customer is willing to pay. The market is highly dynamic and disruptive so any scientific innovation or technological solution must be equally adaptive for the present and the future. Being a serial inventor and innovator, my passion drives me to develop scientific innovation and solutions that are currently not available and easy to develop for the scientific community.
The birth of Tip Biosystems from concept to manufacturing of handheld UV-VIS Spectrophotometric devices in Singapore has been most rewarding. I enjoy my work and my calling to be both an academic with research passion coupled with entrepreneurial mind set. On the social front, the success of Tip Biosystems Pte Ltd has resulted in the creation of 10 fulltime positions with more appointments planned during expansion in Singapore. Scientific Entrepreneurship can advance the human race both technologically and socially!”