In an era where innovation and technology shape the future, Innofocus Photonics Technology is pushing the boundaries of resolution and precision in manufacturing. With a mission to “Reinvent Manufacturing at Nanoscale,” Innofocus is deeply committed to developing intelligent laser nano-manufacturing and 3D photonics metrology equipment, enabling next-generation advanced photonics devices and nanostructured green materials. By leveraging the world’s top-notch expertise in intelligent laser nanofabrication, the company is delivering cross-disciplinary solutions through its four-pillar strategy: New Equipment, New Devices, New Materials, and New Plant, driving a future era of nano-manufacturing and positioning itself as a global leader in the photonics ecosystem.
Australian-made excellence in 3D laser nanofabrication
Innofocus was founded on a clear vision: to harness the power of photonics and nanotechnology to address real-world challenges and revolutionize traditional manufacturing. At the outset, Frank Yao, the founder and CEO of the company, recognized the potential of 3D laser nanofabrication to translate frontier laboratory successes to the manufacturing space. Noticing that few people in the marketplace could fill in the gap, Frank embarked on a journey to build Innofocus as a leader in this field.
In 2021, after years of intensive R&D, Innofocus launched the world’s first all-in-one intelligent laser nanofabrication system with in-situ refractive index characterisation functionality. The system represents a major advancement in the laser nanofabrication sector, which solves low productivity bottleneck and simultaneously improves the quality, energy efficiency and stability of the fabrication process, taking nanofabrication to the intelligent era.
Leveraging the state-of-the-art laser nanofabrication system, Innofocus has been dedicated to developing high-precision, high-performance products and solutions that meet the growing demands of multiple industries including communication & sensing, healthcare, food & agriculture, etc., transforming the robust nanofabrication technology into valuable industry-scale applications.
“We can use our precision manufacturing capabilities to help traditional industries advance their processes. And also, in terms of the information age and quantum, we help in areas such as ICT (computing, AR/VR, sensing), MedTech/biotech, renewable energy, food and agriculture, logistics, and aged care — by giving them a revolutionary way to develop new devices and materials,” Mr. Yao said.
Thanks to its continuous investment in product R&D and market development, Innofocus has become a multi-award-winning company in the fields of ultrafast laser nano-manufacturing equipment development, photonics metrology, holographic imaging equipment development, and sustainable material innovation. Just to name a few, Innofocus is a Top 10 Photonics Solution Provider in 2021 in Asia Pacific, awarded by Semiconductor Review, a consecutive winner of the Australian Made Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024, a finalist in the Engineers Australia 2022 Victoria Excellence Projects Awards, recognized as one of the 20 Most Promising Australian Tech Companies in 2023 by CIO Review, and also awarded the Winner Prize of the 2023 Australian Innovation Competition.
From Lab to Fab: Pioneering innovation through open collaboration
Working toward a multitude of innovation, Innofocus’ team works closely with their customers, industry partners, and research partners across disciplines to foster more collaborations, driving advancements in frontier solution development. The company’s key breakthrough in developing a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective 3D laser nanofabrication equipment has enabled the manufacture of high-performance nanodevices and nanomaterials for various sectors that previously remained confined to the lab.
Deeply engaged in open collaborations with clients, Innofocus is able to stay ahead of industry trends and understand the dynamic market demands. “We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the needs of our clients,” Frank says. “Whether it’s developing nanoscale QR codes for the pearl industry or creating self-cooling devices for agriculture, we always strive to offer solutions that are tailored to the specific challenges our clients face.”
Taking nanotechnology from lab to fab, Innofocus identifies their technologies as enabling platforms to develop valuable industrial solutions in the forms of New Equipment, New Devices, and New Materials, which create greater value to the industry. It is their world-leading capability of translating intelligent manufacturing technologies into business products and value services that established Innofocus as a global leader in the market.
Building a nano-manufacturing ecosystem
Innofocus is at the forefront of a new era—the era of nano-manufacturing. With a mission to “Reinvent Manufacturing at Nanoscale,” Innofocus endeavors to accelerate the global shift toward the nano-manufacturing landscape.
Demonstrating such commitment, the company has established the world’s first Nano Manufacturing Plant (NMP) with 1000 sqm offices, open labs, and production lines located in Melbourne. Building on the leading intelligent nano-manufacturing capabilities, the facility aims to connect resources across Australia’s sectors to catalyze more cutting-edge product R&D.
The company is advocating for a thriving ecosystem in Australia to harness the full potential of 3D laser nano-manufacturing, making it accessible to a wide range of users. From biomedical to quantum technology, from mining to healthcare, the NMP can help Innofocus to integrate their nanotechnology into diverse fields, positioning Australia as a world leader in global technology competition.
Innofocus is not just pushing the boundaries; it’s rewriting the rules, leading the way into a future of limitless possibilities.
“We’re excited about what the future holds,” Frank concludes. “We believe that the next decade will bring unprecedented advancements in nanomanufacturing, and we’re committed to staying at the forefront of these developments.”
