Nature-published principle
The underpinning principle, published in the Nature portfolio in 2020 in work linked to ANU, cuts discharge thresholds by about 30%.
Capability · Epcotec
Applied research, built into working systems.
A dedicated R&D group industrialises optically-guided-discharge research into implementable systems, from feasibility to TRL-raise. Applied research and development has run since the founding year 2011; peer-reviewed publication began in 2019. Delivered by named senior engineers, fixed scope, staging from week one.
Epcotec runs applied R&D in optically-guided discharge technology, the lineage behind our founding HFTRS survey method, from feasibility studies and proofs of concept to TRL-raise programs. Our R&D co-leads industrialise published principles into reproducible experiments with measurable envelopes, then hand validated systems to the engineering teams that turn them into products.
What we deliver
The research scope.
Feasibility studies
Short, decisive studies that establish measured envelopes for optically-guided discharge in the target regime. Feasibility runs 4 to 8 weeks and ends in a go or no-go decision.
Beamline and particle-replenishment design
Beam shaping and optical trapping are designed together with particle replenishment, so a run holds discharge guidance continuously.
Characterisation harnesses and safety regime
Fixed measurement harnesses built around plasma diagnostics, paired with a written safety regime and interlocks. Characterisation is the first deliverable.
Application tracks
Three tracks are maintained: deposition, sterilisation and static dissipation. A track is opened only after characterisation supports it.
TRL-raise programmes
Staged programmes that raise a capability from demonstration to industrial readiness, with defined measurement criteria at each technology readiness level.
R&D-to-engineering handover model
A defined model that hands systems over as implementable products: C++ real-time control loops, harnesses, procedures and operating limits, all documented and transferable.
Rough time estimate
Window: Feasibility 4-8 weeks; full TRL-raise programmes longer
Team: R&D co-leads (Gene and Ottie Pratt) + engineer
Complexity: L
Indicative only. A fixed price follows a free scope review.
Get a fixed quoteDelivery process
From feasibility to prototype.
Characterisation first
Every programme opens with characterisation, and application work comes second, every time. Plasma diagnostics establish the baseline before any application claim is made.
Parameter sweeps
Beam shaping, trapping geometry and discharge parameters are swept systematically, and results are recorded as measured envelopes.
Environmental validation
Candidate regimes are validated against target environmental conditions before any application track proceeds.
Safety interlocks
Interlocks and operating limits are fixed before hardware runs outside the laboratory envelope.
Engineering handover
Control ships as C++ real-time loops with documented procedures, so the engineering group can own and operate the system without the R&D team in the loop.
Benchmark deliveries
Proven on the bench.
Industrialised repetition
Measurement harnesses convert single laboratory results into repeatable, characterised runs with recorded envelopes.
First client trials
Optically-guided discharge has moved from bench to first client trials across the deposition, sterilisation and static-dissipation tracks.
More evidence in the delivery history and the complete 756-engagement register.
The research programme behind this capability spans machine perception and remote data collection, the data and telemetry systems that industrialise measurements, and optical and laser engineering. The physics, the quality control and the discipline behind every claim are written out on the research and development pages, including the discharge control and filament research line.
Standards & compliance
Documented research, clean ownership.
Operations and deliverables conform to the cross-cutting standards below, and research runs under documented governance: measurements, notebooks and feasibility records are kept to a standard that survives review, and all resulting intellectual property is assigned cleanly to the client.
ISO/IEC 27001-aligned information security management
Operations and deliverables run under a documented management system aligned with ISO/IEC 27001:2022. The controls shape scoping, review, change management and evidence capture on every engagement.
Australia: Governs every Australian engagement, including hosting decisions and data residency.
Canada: Governs every Canadian engagement, including hosting decisions and data residency.
ISO 9001-aligned quality management
Quality management aligned with ISO 9001 governs scoping, review gates, acceptance criteria and handover, so every deliverable passes the same documented checks.
Australia: Applies to delivery for Australian clients across all service lines.
Canada: Applies to delivery for Canadian clients across all service lines.
Privacy Act 1988 and Australian Privacy Principles
Personal information handled in Australian engagements is processed in line with the Australian Privacy Principles, with access controls and data-handling rules carried through every environment.
Australia: Applies to all Australian engagements and to data processed on behalf of Australian clients.
PIPEDA and provincial privacy law
Personal information handled in Canadian engagements is processed in line with PIPEDA and applicable provincial law, including Quebec Law 25 where relevant.
Canada: Applies to all Canadian engagements, with Quebec Law 25 obligations observed where data or operations touch Quebec.
SOC 2-aligned controls
SOC 2-aligned controls are embedded in delivery: change management, access control, monitoring and evidence capture run on every engagement.
Australia: Evidence packs are available to Australian clients under NDA.
Canada: Evidence packs are available to Canadian clients under NDA.
Research governance and documentation
Feasibility studies, proofs-of-concept and TRL-raise work are documented to a reviewable standard: methods, measurements and quality-control records are kept per programme.
Australia: Research records are retained under the cross-cutting management system for Australian programmes.
Canada: Research records are retained under the cross-cutting management system for Canadian programmes.
Clean intellectual-property assignment
All research outputs and resulting intellectual property are assigned to the client, with no retained claims on deliverable work.
Australia: Applies to every Australian research programme.
Canada: Applies to every Canadian research programme.
ISO/IEC 42001-aligned AI management
Where AI is in scope, AI management aligned with ISO/IEC 42001 governs registration, evaluation and human oversight of merges and releases.
Australia: AI-related data is handled under the Australian Privacy Principles.
Canada: AI-related data is handled under PIPEDA and, where applicable, Quebec Law 25.
References to standards describe alignment. Certification is claimed only where an accredited certificate is published on this page.
FAQ
Asked before the first experiment.
What is optically-guided discharge?
A shaped laser beam traps graphene microparticles in air. Discharge initiates along the trapped particle chain at a threshold about 30% below unguided discharge. The principle was published in the Nature portfolio in 2020, in work linked to the Australian National University.
How long is a feasibility study, and what does it conclude?
Feasibility runs 4 to 8 weeks. It ends in a measured envelope for the target regime and a go or no-go decision. Full TRL-raise programmes run longer and are scoped after feasibility.
What does TRL-raise mean in practice?
Staged movement from laboratory demonstration to industrial readiness. Each stage carries defined measurement criteria, characterisation harnesses and a written safety regime before the next stage opens.
What happens at engineering handover?
Systems transfer as implementable products: C++ real-time control loops, measurement harnesses, operating limits and procedures, all documented. The principle is treated as workflow rather than personal credit, so handover is complete and unambiguous.