Two new companies have been spun out of Newcastle University to take new technologies to market.
Ocular Systems and RecoVolt - both of which are rooted in years of academic research - have been launched with new leadership teams to help support their commercial growth. Both firms have the potential to deliver significant industrial and environmental benefits, and have been set in motion with support from North East law firm Ward Hadaway,
Ocular Systems has developed a patented 3D particle measurement system that enables real-time, three-dimensional imaging of particles in motion. The company says its tech opens up “transformative” opportunities across industries including pharmaceuticals and advanced batteries, where understanding particle morphology and its impact on manufacturing processes is critical in developing sustainable products.
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Its system is also designed to support sectors such as fertilisers, food and cosmetics, helping manufacturers better predict how materials will behave during processing. The company is led by executive chair Dr Neil Loxley, who joined co-founders and tech inventors Dr Sadegh Nadimi Shahraki and Dr Vasileios Angelidakis, and Chris Beevers, who played a key role in shaping the commercial strategy.
Dr Loxley said: “I’m thrilled to be working with the brilliant team at Ocular to commercialise their groundbreaking technology, which has the potential to deliver significant value across multiple sectors.”
RecoVolt, meanwhile, is focussed on pioneering sustainable energy solutions. The Newcastle business, launched by Dr Mahfuz Kamal and Dr Simon Lambert, is tackling the growing issue of electric vehicle (EV) battery waste.
The firm says: “RecoVolt revolutionises the way we approach end-of-life battery management in the shift towards net zero. We have engineered a cutting-edge technology that not only discharges batteries rapidly preparing them for recycling, reducing bottlenecks and safety risks, but also assesses their health for second-life applications.
“This enables recyclers and fleet managers to make data-driven decisions, maximising the value of their assets and supporting the circular economy.”
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The battery discharging kit, that makes the deactivation of end-of-life EV batteries safer and faster, and the diagnostic platform was developed by Dr Mahfuz Kamal and Dr Simon Lambert. The new leadership team at RecoVolt also includes Stephen Irish and Cristoph Atkins of Smart Origin, to support the spin-out’s commercial development.
Dr Kamal, CEO of RecoVolt, said: “I’m so pleased to reach this significant milestone in our journey towards becoming a critical infrastructure provider in EV battery management, helping third-parties significantly contribute towards sustainability goals, increase efficiency and realise financial benefits in a growing EV market.”
North East law firm Ward Hadaway advised on all legal aspects, including shareholder agreements, governance and licensing the university’s intellectual property.
Sally Sanderson, associate in the intellectual property team at Ward Hadaway, added: “It has been a pleasure to support Ocular and RecoVolt on the first steps of their journey. Their technologies are genuinely novel and the intellectual property licensing considerations were complex. We work with over half of Newcastle University’s current spin-out portfolio and look forward to supporting these businesses as they grow.”