UCD spin-out LirOptic unveils new optical lens technology
19 February 2025
Simon Forsyth, co-founder and CEO of LirOptic Credit: Vincent Hoban
LirOptic, a UCD spin-out company raising €3 million in seed funding, has announced the unveiling of its pioneering optical lens technology.
The breakthrough innovation operates without mechanically moving parts and improves the performance of compact camera modules (CCMs), which are commonly used in smartphones.
It will allow for higher-quality imaging, better zoom capabilities, and enhanced low-light performance, as well as freeing up space within smartphones by reducing the size of CCMs.
This extra space enables manufacturers to integrate larger batteries, improved sensors and additional functionalities, leading to smarter, more powerful devices.
CCMs are also essential in augmented reality and virtual reality headsets, MedTech, and space technology.
LirOptic’s new technology was originally developed by (opens in a new window)Professor Dominic Zerulla following research carried out with his team over a number of years at the UCD School of Physics.
The company was co-founded by Professor Zerulla along with CEO Simon Forsyth and Joe O’Keeffe, with the support of NovaUCD, where the company is now headquartered.
LirOptic formally launched the pioneering technology at an event held during the Photonics West Exhibition, the world’s premier event for photonics and optics technologies, in San Francisco in January.
Having previously secured funding from Enterprise Ireland through the Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF), LirOptic is currently raising €3 million in seed funding to grow and scale its operations.
“Our adjustable solid-state lens technology is a first-of-its-kind solution that is poised to bring the future of optics into sharper focus,” said Forsyth.
“Over the last six months, we have collaborated with a multinational consumer electronics company and a US-based firm in the XR space to integrate our new lens technology and enhance existing optical system performance. We’re passionate about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible utilising our optical lens technology, and we’re very excited about the future ahead.”
By: Rebecca Hastings, Digital Journalist, UCD University Relations (with materials from Micéal Whelan, UCD Research and Innovation)
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
