The Size of a Postage Stamp. The Power of a Laboratory.
Optomem’s complex gas-sensing
technology demands collaboration.
Maintaining indoor air quality is
essential to everyone’s health, but many
of the most deadly gases have no odour
and give no warning, making accurate
air-quality monitoring problematic.
Historically, complex gas analysis
required large, expensive laboratory
equipment to analyze air samples offsite.
Toronto-based Optomem Sensors
Inc. is developing a revolutionary
air-quality sensor that puts the power
of the laboratory in a microchip and
provides instant comprehensive feedback
on air quality. In the future, the chips
could even be modified to fit into a cell
phone or home thermostat to allow air
monitoring wherever you are.
Optomem is the culmination of a
partnership between Monteco Ltd. and
the University of Toronto (U of T),
specifically Dr. Harry Ruda and Dr.
Carlos Fernandes who co-created the
new technology. Having funded the
early proof-of-principle research, OCE’s
Centre of Excellence for Earth and
Environmental Technologies reviewed
the technology’s commercial potential
with the U of T research team and
helped identify Monteco as the ideal
partner to license and commercialize
this technology worldwide.
Optomem intends to first use its
techonology for the detection of
benzene, a highly hazardous chemical
found at oil and gas refineries,
distribution centres and gas stations.
Scott Monteith, President and CEO
of Monteco Ltd., is confident that
Optomem will become a world leader in
the gas sensor industry, a market worth
hundreds of millions of dollars.
“Since this technology is
so disruptive, it involves
different disciplines to
perfect IT. Being able to
leverage U of T’s vast
resources was critical
to our success.”
—Antonio Liberatore,
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT, Optomem