Hamamatsu News 2-2014 - page 7

7
News 2014 Vol. 2
R&D Interview
Can you give a specific example of discussions with the customer?
Hikita:
For example, there was talk about making a glucose monitor
for diabetic patients. If a product could be made that uses light to
diagnose the glucose level, then this would relieve the patient of a
huge burden. To help make this product a reality, we first verify the
necessary specifications and then make the necessary coordination
and adjustments.
Yokino:
The micro-spectrometer was introduced at our technology
exhibition “Photon Fair 2013” held in November last year and we
received positive feedback from visitors. We prepared a concept
module linked with a smartphone to demonstrate applications such
as color analysis. The results led to specific discussions for use in
spectral analysis and other applications. We obtained significant
results from showing the customers the module itself and having
them imagine how it would actually work.
Ito:
At Photon Fair, there were many customers who were interested
in coupling the micro-spectrometer to smartphones. There were also
some unique inquiries such as whether it could be used for adjusting
the lighting in theatres or whether it could be used to teach children
about light wavelengths at school. The small size prompted people
to think, “I wonder if it could be used for this purpose?” and so was
effective in stirring up people’s imaginations for new applications. In
most cases, there is a target application and a product is then made to
match that application, but making such a small micro-spectrometer
will most likely create new applications. You might call it a pheno­
menon that works in reverse. Putting aside the question of what can
actually be accomplished, I feel it really expands future possibilities.
It was officially released in March of this year, how has the reaction
been since then?
Hikita:
Prior to its official release, we had already samples available
at the end of last year, which resulted in nearly 100 samples
being purchased by customers including many from overseas. Some
customers commented, “Even in this small size it still gives accurate
measurements” along with other such positive responses.
Ito:
In September of this year,
our new Building No. 13 at our
main factory site will be starting
operation. There we will be doing
product development and setting
up a mass-production system for
in-vehicle devices and mobile
terminals such as the micro-
spectrometer based on MEMS
technology, while drawing up plans
to deal with increasing customer
demands.
What type of development trends do you foresee from here onward?
Shibayama:
Though micro-spectrometers are now available in a
size that can be placed on a fingertip, we are getting requests from
customers such as “we want you to make it thinner and smaller.”
Current methods that reflect the light one time have reached their
limit in terms of size, so to respond to an even wider range of needs,
we are constantly incorporating new ideas into our designs to develop
even smaller devices.
Hikita:
Up until now we have taken the stance of only providing
hardware, leaving the circuit and software development up to the
customer. However, if we could also provide these extra requirements
to the customer, then our products would be even easier to use. My
section is in charge of module development, so rather than just the
device level, we are now starting to prepare to provide software and
module products that contain the necessary circuits.
Building No. 13 (Main Factory)
Module for measuring
correlated color
temperature (CCT)
and color rendering
index (CRI) for
camera shooting
Light dimmers
for LED light
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