In September 2020, pioNIRS start-up was created for the technological transfer of the joint research between Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria (DEIB) and Dipartimento di Fisica (DFIS), who are leaders since years in the applied research of TD-NIRS, which leaded to the development of the first cost-effective compact instruments for the implementation of such technique in real-world applications.

Time-domain Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (TD-NIRS) is a non-invasive technique based on short laser pulses and single-photon detectors for analyzing scattering materials and tissues in order to estimate their optical parameters (absorption and diffusion coefficients).

pioNIRS aims at engineering and commercializing such instruments in order to satisfy in the research field (and in the clinic, in the future) the need for compact instruments capable of characterizing and monitoring biological tissues in a non-invasive and continuous way, with particular interest in the continuous monitoring of human brain and muscle activity.

The multidisciplinary team of pioNIRS is composed of:

Mauro Buttafava, PhD at the Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, will have the role of CEO in the company; contribution: electronic hardware, software.

Michele Lacerenza, PhD student at the Dipartimento di Fisica, will be a director in the company; contribution: hardware, optics, software, data analysis.

Alberto Tosi, Full-time associate professor at the Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria; contribution: scientific.

Alberto Dalla Mora, Full-time associate professor at the Dipartimento di Fisica; contribution: scientific.

Alessandro Torricelli, Full-time full professor at the Dipartimento di Fisica; contribution: scientific.

Antonio Pifferi, Full-time full professor at the Dipartimento di Fisica; contribution: scientific.

Davide Contini, Full-time associate professor at the Dipartimento di Fisica; contribution: scientific.

Franco Zappa, Full-time full professor at the Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria; contribution: scientific.

Micro Photon Devices s.r.l., former spin-off company of the Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria, will be a director in the company; contribution: electronic hardware, logistics, administrative.

An article published in Sole 24 Ore Economia describes how the high temporal resolution optical technology developed by pioNIRS could be used to monitor how the disease progresses and to help the rehabilitation phases in COVID-19 patients: https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/uno-zainetto-misura-parametri-vitali-ADrosmz?refresh_ce=1

More information at www.pionirs.com