A Cambridge UK nanotechnology company has started shipping product globally and has strengthened its management to bolster the international scale-up.

Ionscope manufactures Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopes (SICMs) for imaging living cells. SICMs are used by neurological and cardiac scientists to understand fundamental processes associated with diseases and therapeutics, because of the unique combination of nano-scale topographical and physiological information they provide.

Ionscope has built a user base in laboratories around the world, and we are committed to building on this base as we expand into new areas, says Ionscope chairman Dr David Cleevely.

Material scientists are also using Ionscopes products to see nano-scale changes in battery electrodes during charging and discharging. Understanding this charging cycle is highly important for increasing the battery capacity and lifetime in mobile phones and electric vehicles.

As in living cells, the ability of SICM to monitor changes whilst the battery is operating has attracted the attention of top European and American researchers.

I have been involved in nanotechnology and analytical instrumentation for over 20 years now, says Dr Hills who previously helped to mould Cambridge life science business Pneumacare into a commercial venture.

Its clear to me that Ionscopes products have real potential to become an important part of surface science in very difficult environments.

Dr Hills trained as an analytical chemist with early experience in instrument development, electrochemistry and the energy sector working for both the US and Japanese governments.

He co-founded networks dedicated to the advancement of stem cell and micro-nanotechnology, and has gone on to lead several companies to win business internationally.

Dr Richardson added: Nanotechnology is a hugely exciting industry that is expanding rapidly. I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute in the R & D of current and future Ionscope products and to become involved in this industry with one of its leaders.

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Nanotech venture goes global