Professor Nigel Allinson
Non-executive Director
Professor Nigel M Allinson has held the Chair of Image Engineering at the University of Sheffield since 2004. Prior to this, he held a chair of the same title at UMIST for 8 years after moving from 12 years at the University of York. His research interests are in the areas of scientific imaging devices and systems, image processing and pattern recognition. Nigel has published over 250 scientific papers; including the award of the IEE Premium Prize for Communications (2004) for the most outstanding paper on a new Internet transport protocol for video streaming. Currently, he leads the £4.4m Basic Technology Consortium, MI-3, on active pixel sensors. This consortium has produced several novel CMOS-based imaging sensors including very large devices (6 cm square) for medical as well as x-ray crystallographic applications. A recent research focus has been in providing forensic solutions for the UK Police and other security-related organisations. A system for the secure wireless transmission of fingerprint lifts directly from crime scenes to bureaus has been rolled-out to all Police Forces. Currently, his research team is developing systems for the automatic recognition of footwear patterns for use with the National Footwear Database.
Nigel has assisted in the formation of three spin-out companies including Paraytec. The others were Video and Image Coding Specialists Ltd (sold to AIM-listed company in 2006) and Dmist Technologies Ltd. A survey in the “Times Higher” , in 2006, ranked him as one of the UK’s top academic entrepreneurs.