INSIGHTS / News

Scale-Up member Actisense has been awarded a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) grant to accelerate the development of an innovative, low-cost digital level sensor.

Actisense specialises in delivering intelligent technologies that simplify data for end-user analysis and diagnostics in the marine and agriculture industries. Its range of buffers, multiplexers, sensors, and accessories support users in understanding what their data means and how to use it to troubleshoot problems as they arise.

Partnering with the University of Bath, Actisense is developing a low-cost sensor to overcome some of the issues associated with existing devices on the market. The two-year-long partnership, enabled through Innovate UK’s KTP scheme, will address issues of cost, reliability, and inaccuracy whilst allowing the device to be suitable for use in both liquids and solids.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme grants innovative businesses the academic expertise and personnel to deliver on vital projects of their choosing. Since 1975, KTPs have helped more than 14,000 businesses collaborate with academic partners to bring innovative products and services to market. Now, Actisense will join this select cohort.

Heading up the academic team for this project is Charles Courtney of the University of Bath’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. His knowledge and expertise in ultrasonics and acoustics will support Actisense to bring this new and improved solution to market.

This will be achieved through acoustic profiling, a technique which allows the technology to determine the distance from the sensor to the surface using acoustic waves. This system uses an innovative approach employing low-cost elements and an advanced digital signal processing algorithm to keep the sensor operational even with minimal power.

Speaking on the partnership, Phil Whitehurst, CEO of Actisense said, “We first approached the University of Bath with the idea to do an advanced research KTP project back in 2019. We were impressed by their knowledge in the subject area, and we got a great application together with the help of the University and our SETsquared Scale-Up programme advisors.”

“We are very excited going forward to starting the project with Bath. I’m sure it’s going to be the start of a great partnership.”

Charles Courtney added, “This Knowledge Transfer Partnership will use the academic team’s expertise in ultrasonic measurement and sensor development to produce a new low-cost product for measuring fuel levels. This represents a great opportunity for the KTP associate to develop a broad portfolio of technical, interpersonal, and commercial skills and for the University of Bath team’s research to generate commercial impact.”