Inductosense, a University of Bristol spinout and former member of the SETsquared Bristol incubator, has been honoured with a King’s Award for innovation.

Now in its 59th year, The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

Inductosense’s technology that uses ultrasonic sensors for monitoring corrosion, cracks and defects was originally conceived by Dr Chenghuan Zhong during his PhD at the University of Bristol. Together with Professor Anthony Croxford, Professor Paul Wilcox and Dr Matt Butcher they spun-out the company and joined SETsquared Bristol in 2015 for business support.

Inductosense has developed a WAND (Wireless and Non-Destructive) system that is based around wireless, battery-free ultrasonic sensors. These sensors are permanently attached to metal structures to provide simple and accurate wall thickness monitoring.

The company now employs 40 people and has thousands of sensors deployed globally, enabling customers to reduce costs and digitise their corrosion monitoring.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see an invention we developed in the lab now delivering real value to our customers — and to have that impact recognised with a King’s Award!” Dr Chenghuan Zhong, founder and CTO at Inductosense.

Professor Michele Barbour, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Innovation at the University of Bristol, said: “It’s wonderful that Chenghuan, Anthony, Paul, Matt and their colleagues have been honoured in this way. The work Inductosense do in non-destructive corrosion and defect monitoring, and the impact their innovative technology is having all over the world, really highlights what a huge impact research commercialisation can have. Huge congratulations to team Inductosense!”

Learn more about Inductosense: Inductosense | Corrosion Monitoring.‍

Find out about SETsquared Bristol’s incubation programme.