Research & Development

Edinburgh Instruments (EI) has consistently been active in R&D opportunities mostly generated by the needs of our customers.  It is always essential to identify a market pull when applying the results of new scientific and technical research to creating new products.

The Interference Filter Infrared (IR) Gas Sensor was an early product arising from the Founder’s expertise in optical coatings.  These devices reduce the volume of devices for spectral selection by orders of magnitude and the miniature of these was developed for City Technology as part of the current total volume of more than 60,000 units – mostly the successful OEM product the “Gascard”.

The company, through provision of research equipment, has always been known for “bespoke engineering of its products as customers require”.  The gas laser series started in this way by providing a CO laser at 5µm in the IR for the “Spin Flip Raman Laser” which provided the highest resolution by laser spectroscopy of molecules recorded at the time and led to an invitation to the company to take part in the 50 Year Celebration of the Laser.  This led to the EI series of gas lasers. 

Earlier Heriot-Watt University work on grating monochromators then with the co-operation of Strathclyde University led to the series of Fluorescence Spectrometers.  These have application in Chemistry, Physics, Bio-Chemistry and Medicine and, through European Framework and UK  Programmes, the company has pursued the development of such fluorescence technology in conjunction with wider aims by European partners. 

Recently, EI has led two major R&D programmes: Fluorescence Lifetime Applications in Science and Health from the TSB with Edinburgh U., Dundee U. and Almac Sciences and a Eurostars Programme developing novel Tunable Interference Filters with Delta of Denmark.  The company has also been engaged in two further Framework Programmes with fluorescence applications in life sciences.