A miniature projector that is being developed by Upstream Engineering Corporation in Oulu caused a storm of clicking on the company's website in the spring. Almost everybody seems to be interested in the new technology, ranging from electronics giants to the automotive industry.

"Contacts are coming around the world thick and fast. Interest is being aroused from one end of the scale to the other: aviation, military applications, consumer products, research, medical technology applications, industry and artists," says Mikko Alasaarela, the President of the company.

Great potential

The technology being developed by Upstream is based on Photon Vacuum technology, which maximizes the number of photons sent to the target from a light source. The technology will make it possible in the future to create a projector the size of a matchbox that will need only batteries as its source of power.

"One major difference compared with present equipment is that there is no need for many expensive optical components. While present projectors cost about 900 euros at the cheapest, by using our technology it will be possible to go well under that," Alasaarela emphasizes.

A small, inexpensive projector would make it possible to produce a pocket-sized video player. It could be integrated into mobile phones and laptops, so the display could be projected onto a wall when the user is surfing the Internet or with Powerpoint presentations. The automotive industry is interested in a windscreen display for cars. Alasaarela reckons the microprojector will be ready for the market at the end of next year.

Competition rock hard

The applications with the new technology are almost limitless. "I believe that our technology will initially become commercial through smaller-volume specialized products, and from there it will move to consumer products as production costs fall. Markets seem to be developing promisingly for products like these."

Upstream Engineering Corporation, which has operations in Finland, Switzerland and the USA is now a small start-up company. Co-partners are being found in the USA, Japan and Europe.

"Developing pioneering technology is always expensive. Resources must be available quickly and in plentiful supply, because international competition is rock hard. Big companies are investing large sums in their own product development in order to be first onto the market," Alasaarela says.

"More people with skills are also needed. The standard of electronics know-how in Finland is excellent, but we lack the practical expertise on the optics side.

>> www.upstream.fi

Upstream Engineering Corporation's Photon Vacuum technology is expected to spread and become an essential part of miniature projection displays in the future.