Cambridge Ultrasonics is a niche consultancy business that has been in existence for 18 years. The business is based upon Cambridge University PhD physics graduates. We have built a reputation for developing novel ultrasonic equipment used in the following fields:

• Concrete structures.
• Drug delivery.
• Oil well inspection.
• Homeland security.

We want to change direction in the business, create a spin-off business to exploit three patents in the field of concrete inspection and to make the new business grow.

Cambridge Ultrasonics intends to raise £ 1 M. We will use the money to:

• Make engineering modifications to one of the patented instruments, to manufacture it and to promote and to sell it in the market.
• Develop a fully working version of our third patented instrument, to manufacture it and to promote and to sell it in the market.

We predict the business will start to be profitable after two years and will grow after five years to an expected annual turnover of £ 8 M and an annual pre-tax profit of £ 4 M.

There is a growing need throughout the world for better inspection methods for concrete structures:
Present non-destructive methods cannot determine the internal state of corrosion of steel forms in concrete - virtually all concrete structures depend upon internal steel for strength.

• Existing structures are aging, they have become too expensive to demolish and rebuild so there is a need to extend working lives.
• Environmental pressures work against any substantial demolition and rebuilding.
• New structures are now being designed with monitoring systems installed.
  

The key to prolonging the use of concrete structures is better inspection information. In the past the need has reached crisis condition, usually after a serious collapse of a structure and almost certainly this will happen again in the future after some natural or man-made disaster.

Cambridge Ultrasonics is known internationally for research into ultrasonic inspection and monitoring of concrete structures and we have been at the centre of major advances in the field for the last 15 years. We have:

• Three key patent applications on inspection instruments.
• Valuable know-how leveraged from £ 3 M research over several R&D projects.
• Adapted techniques from radar and medical ultrasound and used them successfully to inspect concrete.

We have a working prototype of one of the instruments. A prototype of another has been developed by a licensee and royalties should be accruing in 2006. The third product is based upon proven methods but a full development program is required.

Potential customers of the products and services we propose to sell are:

• Operators of concrete structures.
• Construction companies.
• Inspection service providers.
• Government agencies.
• Museums.
• Equipment rental businesses.
• Research institutes and universities.

If you would like more information then please contact.