Faces of Technology
Picturing the Future of
Sensors
The University of Central Florida in partnership
with The Corridor, Osceola County government
and the Metro Orlando Economic
Development Commission broke ground
on the Florida Advanced Manufacturing
Research Center in Kissimmee October 16, 2014.
Blair Barbour, Photon-X president/CEO, is one
technology leader that is anxiously awaiting
the opening of the Center, having positioned
his company to capitalize on its many benefits.
Barbour relocated the sensor research
company to Kissimmee in 2013 from its original
headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama. After 14
years in Huntsville, it was increasingly important
to be located in a thriving region with a friendly
business climate.
“The Center has provided inspiration for
asserting Osceola County as a good location
for high tech sensors and high tech work,”
said Barbour. “The county is looking forward to
more jobs and we’re just fortunate and happy
that we’re the first one in, so to speak, and
really hope to have a huge impact on what
the Center is doing … to be able to use them
and partner with them in future years.”
Barbour began developing Photon-X’s
technology in graduate school at the University
of Dayton and realized the potential for sensors
early in his career. He focused on using sensors to
create 3-D images, initially for medical imaging
devices, but quickly adapted to a wide variety
of applications for government agencies. Today,
the technology stands out as it takes a different
approach in creating 3-D images.
Imagine a standard camera. With one click
of the button, a complete 3-D image appears
on the screen, displaying high resolution
characteristics in full color from precise pixels
that even correctly depict hair flow. The magic
lies in a silicon sensor that can be inserted into
cellphones, laptops, security equipment and
more.
Blair Barbour
President/CEO | Photon-X, www.photon-x.com
Education:
M.S. in Electro-Optical Engineering, University of Dayton;
B.S. in Engineering Physics, Marshall University
Company:
Headquartered in Kissimmee, Photon-X is an advanced
imaging technology company focused on research and
development of optical products, services and solutions. Its
technology is based on 15 years of development of Spatial
Phase Imaging, and has commercialization opportunities in
health care, media, advertising and energy industries.
“My favorite part of the job is innovation,” said Barbour. “It’s coming in every day
and building things that can help people. If someone has a big problem, we
can provide a solution.”
Photon-X has found such solutions for NASA, the Department of Transportation,
the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense and intelligence
agencies, as well as industrial and oil companies. Among other applications, the
technology can monitor equipment for safety, send notification when equipment
needs to be repaired and verify individuals are in proper areas, all at the same
time.
As a person with a vision for how things can come together, Barbour looks to
future success in innovation and in Osceola County.
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