A camera revolution comes into focus with NexOptic’s
lens technology
Since early telescopes,
we have seen various
lens designs that aid
users in viewing distant
objects, though they all suffer
from fundamental weaknesses.
These models use curved lenses
that have size limitations and
are also prone to aberrations.
Vancouver-based NexOptic
Technology Corp. hopes to
change that.
As a creative optical development
company, the firm aims to
revolutionize lenses by improving
how we capture digital media.
Their overarching goal is to
produce lenses capable of superb
definition and clarity in a smaller
housing.
For instance, a flat lens system
they designed gathers about 27
percent more light than a comparably
sized curved aperture lens
with squared corners. More importantly,
NexOptic designs increase
the aperture to-depth ratio
in devices that currently exhibit
depth limitations. Their lens sizes
can be miniaturized by several
factors thus opening the door to a
multitude of applications ranging
from space telescopes to handheld
phones.
West Tech Report spoke recently
with Paul McKenzie, president
and chief business officer
(CBO) of NexOptic Technology.
A serial entrepreneur, he has
made significant resource discoveries
worldwide and has overseen
and negotiated joint-venture and
alliance partnerships with companies
whose market-capitalizations
have exceeded $20-billion.
Inspired by smartphones
with dual camera systems
An Alberta/BC based company
focused on developing new products
with far-reaching potential,
NexOptic came together as the
two original founders were in
Alberta and McKenzie was in
Vancouver. Together they made
the company a reality.
“I met the founders four years
ago. They were at a conceptual
stage at the time, and even though
the technology was new to me, I
could tell that there was something
significant going on,” says
McKenzie. “They came from
strong backgrounds themselves.
One engineer has an MBA, another
has a business degree. They
have built and managed companies
in the past.”
This is significant, but this was
not the main reason that led
McKenzie to support NexOptic.
“It was how meticulously they
explained their ideas and how
they wanted to move forward and
their passion for their idea that
really resonated with me,” he
adds.
NexOptic has benefited from
government support out of the
province of Alberta through the
ACAMP and Alberta Innovates
programs, which helped to incubate
and fast track their efforts.
They earned $50,000 through a
grant from the National Research
Council (NRC-IRAP), but it was
more about the symbolism behind
it that helped NexOptic,
explains McKenzie.
“We were one of the few [grant
recipients] out of many applicants,
giving us a strong endorsement
- as to who we are and what
we’re doing. Because they went
rather forensic in their due diligence
of us, the process and
award gave our shareholders increased
confidence in us,” McKenzie
says.
A few years back NexOptic was
inspired by iPhones that began
delivering dual camera systems,
which improved low light and
distance photography issues.
“We are expecting our technology
will provide a more substantive
shift to see farther with
higher resolution, as well as produce
crisper photographs in low
light,” says McKenzie. “When we
try to take pictures at a dimly-lit
dinner party, or a sunset, we
struggle due to the amount of
light the smartphone can take in.
We want NexOptic’s solution to
be a leap forward for the industry.”
NexOptic is aiming to produce
a smartphone application where,
with additional engineering, their
lenses can be scaled using lower
aperture-to-depth ratios. Since
the geometry of their lenses can
be scaled up or down according
to the size required, the lenses can
also be adapted for laser light or
monochromatic light and narrow
fields of view.
Lenses will permit an
enhanced shareability and
viewability
If successful, NexOptic will
change the camera industry. For
instance, their product allows
the viewer to see much further
- compared to conventional
binoculars.
“We would bring into the digital
age an enhanced shareability
and viewability. You are going to
be able to see it on a screen, share
the experience with anyone beside
you, image it... basically
binoculars on steroids,” explains
McKenzie.
For the mobile device space,
users can expect cheaper, more
precise photographs, paving the
way for extended zoom lenses on
traditional smartphones with increased
resolution. OEMs and
engineers may note that while
smartphones are the most imminent
opportunity, these applications
are just the beginning for
this technology.
“My advice to the budding
entrepreneur is - it really is about
passion. Passion combined with
capital allows a company to
launch. If you have passion and
no money, and you are determined
enough, then you will find
your way.”
NexOptic is working toward a
line of sports optics, after which
they will target the smartphone
industry. For more information,
go to nexoptic.com.
nexoptic.com |
