The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) (www.imeche.org) has completed a new investment (through its £2 million Stephenson Fund) in Bristol-based company Inductosense — a spin-out of Bristol University that is developing novel ultrasonic sensors for monitoring corrosion, cracks or defects.

The technology — known as the WAND (wireless and non-destructive) system — works by bringing a measurement probe near to compact battery-free sensors installed on a structure.

The sensors are small, passive and wireless, so they can be permanently attached to structures — even those beneath a layer of material or a coating. This results in a significant reduction in the cost and down-time associated with conventional monitoring.

IMechE chief executive Stephen Tetlow said: “The technology that Inductosense is developing has the potential to cut maintenance and down-time costs related to wind turbines, nuclear power plants and other large infrastructure.

“It is exciting that we can support cutting-edge technologies, like those being developed by Inductosense — technologies that are, in George Stephenson’s words, ‘likely to be useful to the world’.

“The Institution wants to help companies overcome the hurdle between R&D and bringing a product to market; apart from the monetary investment, our involvement will also connect Inductosense to the vast resources and network of the IMechE and its membership.”

The Institution’s investment in Inductosense forms part of a funding round of £1.1 million from a consortium comprising the ImechE, Perivoli Innovations, the University of Bristol Enterprise Fund (managed by Parkwalk Advisors Ltd), IP Group plc and a number of ‘angel’ investors.