DiffraQTion
See Further, Understand Deeper
Location:
United States
Founded:
2023
Team Size:
2
Industry:
Research and Development (R&D), Robotics, Defense, Biotechnology, Hard Tech, Life Sciences, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals
Founders:
Johannes Galatsanos, CEO
Prof. Saikat Guha, CSA
About:
We are building the next generation of super-resolution microscopes & telescopes allowing breakthrough discoveries in Biology, Pharmaceuticals, and Space.
Drug Discovery and diagnostics rely on highly magnified and fast-captured images of biological processes.
Super-resolution microscopy is overcoming the physical boundaries of lenses, the diffraction limit. The discovery of the first super-resolution technique, STED, was awarded with the 2014 nobel prize.
Current best-in-class methods of Super-Resolution Imaging go to depths of several nm, but are too costly and can harm the sample in different ways.
We intend to change that with affordable add-ons to widefield, confocal and super-resolution microscopes, giving a significant increase of magnification and temporal resolution without harming the sample.
Our technology was developed in partnership with DARPA and NASA for high-precision space situational awareness. It is intended to fit into the Habitable Worlds Observatory, the successor to the James Webb and Hubble space observatories, dedicated to finding exoplanets that can support life. We will bring the same technology to microscopes, allowing us to unlock the secrets of life.
We are pursuing modal imaging at the quantum limit of resolution, for passive imaging with incoherent light, of scene features of size far below the Rayleigh resolution limit. We attain the fundamental quantum limits in the regimes when conventional imaging techniques struggle, using pre-detection spatial mode sorting, including adaptive techniques.
Describe your startup. What is your startup's mission, and what problem are you solving and who are your customers?
We are building the next generation of super-resolution microscopes & telescopes allowing breakthrough discoveries in Biology, Pharmaceuticals, and Space.
Drug Discovery and diagnostics rely on highly magnified and fast-captured images of biological processes.
Super-resolution microscopy is overcoming the physical boundaries of lenses, the diffraction limit. The discovery of the first super-resolution technique, STED, was awarded with the 2014 nobel prize.
Current best-in-class methods of Super-Resolution Imaging go to depths of several nm, but are too costly and can harm the sample in different ways.
We intend to change that with affordable add-ons to widefield, confocal and super-resolution microscopes, giving a significant increase of magnification and temporal resolution without harming the sample.
Our technology was developed in partnership with DARPA and NASA for high-precision space situational awareness. It is intended to fit into the Habitable Worlds Observatory, the successor to the James Webb and Hubble space observatories, dedicated to finding exoplanets that can support life. We will bring the same technology to microscopes, allowing us to unlock the secrets of life.
We are pursuing modal imaging at the quantum limit of resolution, for passive imaging with incoherent light, of scene features of size far below the Rayleigh resolution limit. We attain the fundamental quantum limits in the regimes when conventional imaging techniques struggle, using pre-detection spatial mode sorting, including adaptive techniques.
Who are the founders, and what sparked the idea for this venture?
Johannes is a researcher at MIT and the Center for Quantum Networks and an Oxford, Uni Frankfurt, and MIT Sloan Fellows MBA graduate. He spent 15 years in the Pharmaceutical and Data & AI space, latest as an Ex. Director at Novartis. Johannes is passionate about transforming the way we do research in Life Sciences using quantum technologies.
Saikat is the Director of the NSF Center of Quantum Networks, and the Clark Distinguished Chair Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland.
Saikat is the inventor and patent holder of Mode Sorters for optical applications like we use at DiffraQTion, and is passionate to use this to discover the Secrets of Life on our planet and beyond.
What makes your product or service unique in the market?
Our technology was developed in partnership with DARPA and NASA for high-precision space situational awareness. It is intended to fit into the Habitable Worlds Observatory, the successor to the James Webb and Hubble space observatories, dedicated to finding exoplanets that can support life. We will bring the same technology to microscopes, allowing us to unlock the secrets of life.
We are pursuing modal imaging at the quantum limit of resolution, for passive imaging with incoherent light, of scene features of size far below the Rayleigh resolution limit. We attain the fundamental quantum limits in the regimes when conventional imaging techniques struggle, using pre-detection spatial mode sorting, including adaptive techniques.
What milestones have you achieved so far if any, and where do you see your startup in the next 2-5 years?
We are receiving DARPA SBIR direct-to-phase-2 ($1,5m non-dillutive) to build an MVP in 2025 both for defense and the biology use case. We will seek fundraising at that time to scale up manufacturing for the microscopy/diagnostics use case.
What defines your company culture, and what type of talent are you looking for?
We value excellence in science, bold, curious leaders who want to push the frontiers of understanding of life in space and on earth. We look for scientists to develop the MVP for microscopes and telescopes.
Are you currently open to investments or partnerships?
Yes, for contacting and discussing with KOLs in microscopy. We would seek investments in 2025 to expand manufacturing capabilities.
How can interested investors, partners, or potential employees get involved or learn more?
Please contact Johannes Galatsanos, CEO.
What were the best and worst pieces of advice you received as a founder?
Best: Involve and build relationships with investors early on before seeking investments. Worst: Don't take the risk, join an established company.