Prof. David Birch: Exciting times built a Fluorescence Company!

J. Heyrovský Institute, Brdička Hall, Prague 8
March 25, 2025, 10:30 AM

Since I first installed a fluorescence lifetime system at the Institute of Physics in Prague in 1981 customers in Prague, including the Heyrovský Institute, have played a key role in demonstrating many interesting applications of IBH spectrometers. From humble origins in I, B and H’s PhDs at Manchester University and founding in 1977 as one of the earliest spinout companies in Scotland I will outline the products and path of IBH Ltd to becoming the present-day market leader in fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy. I will recount some of the lessons learned and exciting adventures we had on the way. In our dual role as academics and directors we were researchers just like our customers so we understood their needs and let customer-focused innovation grow sales and shape what was initially an underdeveloped market. With around 90% export IBH instruments continue to have global societal impact in research and applications across many disciplines including healthcare, life sciences, chemistry, nanotechnology, solar energy and semiconductors. Interest in fluorescence lifetimes is increasingly moving out of the research laboratory and into medical practice and I will highlight this for guided surgery.

David Birch is the Emeritus Professor of Photophysics at the University of Strathclyde and cofounder of HORIBA Jobin Yvon IBH Ltd, the longest-established company in fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy and the market leader in its field.  David’s research in fluorescence began with his PhD in 1975 under the supervision of the late John Birks when he developed a fluorescence lifetime spectrometer with novel features that were later to become industry standards. Since then he has made many significant contributions to fluorescence techniques and applications including the development of multiplexed time-correlated single-photon counting and biomedical applications that include glucose sensing and guided surgery. His work has been recognised internationally. He holds the Visiting Chair of Applied Physics at ČVUT and has previously held the Sir C V Raman Endowed Chair in Madras, the Green Honours Chair in Fort Worth, a Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship and Chair at Kyoto Institute of Technology.  He was awarded the Institute of Physics (IOP) Gabor Medal in 2020, served as editor-in-chief of IOP’s Measurement Science and Technology journal from 2012-16 and is presently founding co-editor-in-chief of IOP’s Methods and Applications in Fluorescence.