It was announced last week that Varadis Ltd, a Cork based deep technology radiation detection company, has won a significant contract with the European Space Agency (ESA). 
 
The company’s novel radiation detection sensors and sub-systems are already well known to the global space exploration industry and have already been used by astronauts in the International Space Station. Varadis technology is also used by several of the largest private and public sector organisations around the world.

The technology, Radiation Sensing Field Effect Transistors (RADFETs), is built on 30 years of research at Tyndall National Institute, and accurately measures the absorbed doses of ionizing radiation such as gamma rays, protons, and x-rays. Now ESA are expanding the use of this technology on satellites.
 
Welcoming the announcement Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Damien English said, "The success of Irish companies in this highly competitive environment is a testament to the quality of research and development taking place in our third-level institutions and the support infrastructure that enables the commercialisation of this research. I look forward to more Irish companies benefiting from the Government’s ongoing investment in ESA this year and achieving similar success to Varadis."
 
Manager of ESA Space Solutions Ireland and Head of New Ventures at Tyndall, Peter Finnegan added, "Varadis is an ESA Business Incubation Centre Ireland supported company that is commercialising ground breaking propriety technology that was developed at Tyndall. Varadis has been supported by Enterprise Ireland, the European Space Agency, UCC Innovation and Tyndall, which underscores our combined commitment to the commercialisation agenda."

Source: www.businessworld.ie