Panchromos

Turning research into a practical instrument

My company Panchromos Limited undertakes product design and engineering projects, and being small and flexible we are particularly interested in working with early-stage technology clients. We’re based near Cambridge and cover all aspects of the development of discrete, tangible, series-produced products.

For a number of years I’ve been attending Venturefest as I found it to be an event that brings together serious companies with real challenges seeking real solutions. At Venturefest the focus is on funding, but the companies looking for investment are likely to also need other forms of assistance in getting their ideas turned into a business.

During Venturefest 2007 I attended a presentation by Inscentinel, a start-up out of Rothamsted Research in Harpenden. They had the fascinating idea of using the sense of smell of bees to detect trace vapours such as explosives, drugs or other substances, with limits of detection that are so low they are hard to measure precisely. “A dog in a box” as they put it. They were looking at turning their research and initial proof of concept work into a practical instrument for field use so it looked like there was an opportunity for Panchromos to get involved.

We stayed in touch, and after Inscentinel successfully raised capital – I’m sure their appeal at Venturefest had something to do with that – we were chosen as their partner to work on the development of not just an instrument but a complete system that would make using bees a practical solution for applications in fields ranging from security and law enforcement to food processing and medical diagnostics.

We are currently finalising the design and build of a hand-held device that will hold 36 trained bees – it will be able to detect up to 5 different substances at the same time. This “VASOR” will undergo field trials in a security setting in the summer of 2009.

Apart from the VASOR the system consists of various devices that automate the handling and training of the bees – potentially thousands a day – so that it becomes practical for e.g. an airport security department to use the system to screen luggage.

Apart from Inscentinel I have made contact with a number of other companies with whom I could potentially work on product development projects – for me Venturefest has proven to be the absolute best event to find prospective clients. It has resulted in some very interesting and profitable business for Panchromos, and I’ve made it a permanent fixture on my agenda!

Marc Bax. Managing Director