For the highly sensitive characterization of infrared and terahertz radiation, a very expensive and specialized measuring device would actually have had to be purchased, which aroused the ambition of the two: it should be better, more compact, easier to handle and also significantly cheaper. This was reason enough to start developing an optimized radiation detector for use in research laboratories. Shortly after the completion of the first prototypes, inquiries from scientists from other research groups began to arrive. It took another year before the product was ready for the market and is currently being sold internationally. The main customers are universities and research institutes. But that’s not all: they have now received InnoRampUp funding for their latest project, giving them the opportunity to run WiredSense on more than just a part-time basis.

Many successful companies have their origins in a garage. This also applies to WiredSense. Because even if the idea for the radiation detector came about while working together on the research campus in Bahrenfeld, it took a lot of additional work at home. “Thomas milled the first prototypes at his place,” says Matthias, “and I soldered the electronics at home.”

The two met almost six years ago when they started at the Max Planck Institute at almost the same time: Thomas as a beamline scientist and Matthias as a doctoral student in physics. Founding a company on the side was not an obvious choice at the time. For their research on organic superconductors, they worked together on powerful light sources in the infrared and terahertz range. It was important to be able to carry out precise measurements in this spectral range. However, there were only very expensive and difficult-to-use measuring devices that were sensitive enough for their application. The two benefited from their knowledge of pyroelectric materials, which are excellently suited to the broadband detection of radiation. On this basis, they began to build the “MPY-01” radiation detector optimized for research – their first product. “In contrast to existing radiation detectors, our version is highly sensitive, low-noise and enables the detection of electromagnetic radiation over a very broad wavelength range,” explains Matthias, “It is also compact, battery-operated and can be integrated very easily into existing optical setups.” What’s more: Compared to sensors with a different measuring principle but similar sensitivity, it is unbeatably cheap and easier to use.

In research, there are many inventions that never make it “out there”. It was different for Thomas and Matthias. “Colleagues also wanted to use our detector. So we said: ‘Come on, let’s find a way to make this possible’,” says Matthias. What was also crucial: according to the German Employee Inventions Act (ArbNErfG), inventions like this initially belong to the employer, but can be released. Thomas and Matthias received this approval. Now nothing stood in the way of their product and their part-time start-up. With their own online store and due to the small market in the research sector, the project could also be implemented on the side and even covered the development costs of two further detector variants. Time efficiency is a critical factor when starting a business on the side. The two therefore develop and test everything themselves, but then have the components manufactured by external partners. Finally, everything is assembled and packaged where it should be for real founders: In the garage. From there, the detectors are shipped to China, Korea or the USA. “I wouldn’t have thought it possible,” says Thomas looking back, “The support of the  ‘DESY Start-up Office‘ and through the ‘beyourpilot’ project (editor’s note: “beyourpilot” has been operating under the “Startup Port” brand since July 2023). We made contacts, got tips and were able to simplify both the founding and operation of the company considerably.”

In future, WiredSense will shift its focus somewhat. The office is already located in the InnoVillage on the DESY campus, and the founders have been approved for InnoRampUp funding from IFB Hamburg for their latest project. This gives them financial breathing space and time for about a year. “The detectors can still be ordered,” explains Matthias, “but the new project in the field of material analysis will be a few sizes bigger and will build on our development.” It’s a good thing that he recently completed his doctorate, because Matthias will be working 100% for WiredSense in 2021 and Thomas 50%. There is also a small team that is set to grow – provided the new project develops well. “We are happy about the direct connection to research, both spatially and through Thomas’ half-time position at the Max Planck Institute, because feedback is extremely important for us to stay at the cutting edge of technology,” says Matthias, who wants to remain both: Scientist and founder: “In any case, our research idea will not disappear, because the development work never stops.”

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