The Client
More than a technology partner — an investor and co-creator.
Qubiz is more than Figura Analytics' technology partner. Through the InQubator by Qubiz, we are also an investor and co-creator in their groundbreaking solution for contamination detection, supporting the company from its earliest software foundations through to its readiness for market.
The Challenge
Deep scientific expertise, without the in-house software specialists to commercialise it.
Figura Analytics was founded by a team of scientists with deep expertise in nanopore research, but without the in-house software specialists needed to turn that science into a commercial product. They required a partner who could build their applications to a high standard, within budget, and on a realistic timeline.
The technical demands were considerable. The solution needed to interpret very large volumes of sensor data, build a reliable “fingerprint” for each particle, and determine whether a sample contained contaminants, all at a speed that could challenge established laboratory methods. Traditional liquid analysis can take several days; Figura's ambition was to deliver an answer in minutes, which meant the software had to process tens of thousands of data sets every second in real time, without compromising accuracy.
Just as importantly, the product had to be usable. An earlier version of the application was highly technical, crowded with buttons and configurations that demanded expert knowledge to operate. For Figura to gain customers and scale, the software needed to become intuitive enough for any operator to run with confidence.
What We Built
Figura Data Reader
Controls the valves, pumps and sensors of Figura's hardware, processing the liquid and capturing the resulting data. Built from a stripped-back, rebuilt fork of an open-source amplifier application, removing everything that wasn't needed and rebuilding the rest around exactly what Figura required. Written in C++ to deliver the performance real-time processing demands.
Figura Data Analyser
Built entirely from scratch by Qubiz, this application interprets the captured data, presents it through clear graphs, and compares each sample against a fingerprint to determine whether it falls within expected parameters.
Interface redesign and automation
Working with a dedicated graphic designer, Qubiz replaced a dated, intimidating interface crowded with expert-only controls with a clean, modern and far simpler one. Operators can now configure a sample, start the process and step away — the system clears obstructions automatically, and only raises a banner and audible alert if manual intervention is genuinely required.
Shape analysis & fingerprinting
Shape analysis characterises the particles detected within each sample. Separately, a Random Forest classifier compares the sample against an expected fingerprint, analysing 50,000 to 60,000 data sets per second in real time and giving the operator a clear visual pass or fail indication. Fingerprints, projects and captured data are shared through the cloud, replacing a manual file-handling process.
The Results
Days to minutes, without becoming scientists.
- 2–3 minutes per run, down from several days with traditional liquid analysis.
- 50k+ data sets / second analysed in real time by the machine-learning fingerprinting algorithm.
- 2 purpose-built applications delivered: the Figura Data Reader and Figura Data Analyser.
- 30-minute cycle for the full capture-and-analysis process, completing comfortably within half an hour.
Key Learnings & Takeaways
Co-creation builds the right product
As an investor and co-creator through the InQubator, Qubiz was able to shape the solution alongside Figura's scientists, ensuring the technology served both the science and the business.
Usability drives adoption
The redesign demonstrated that even the most advanced technology only succeeds when people can use it easily. Simplifying the experience was as valuable as any technical gain.
The right tools for the right job
Choosing C++ and a performance-focused stack made it possible to process tens of thousands of data sets per second in real time, proving that thoughtful technical decisions underpin real-world results.
Building from A to Z creates value
Owning the full development, from hardware control through to data analysis, allowed Qubiz to optimise resources and deliver a complete, dependable solution within budget.
In Their Words
“This software is transformative, capturing the data and making it ready to use the second the user wants to do so. It has had a massive impact on the research and methods we've been able to deploy.”
Dr. Mark Platt — Co-Founder at Figura Analytics
Frequently asked questions
01What does Figura Analytics do?
Figura Analytics, a spinout from Loughborough University, uses a patented method to characterise particles within a solution — from beverages to fluids such as blood and saliva — delivering liquid-analysis results in minutes rather than days.
02What was Qubiz's role?
Beyond being the technology partner, Qubiz is an investor and co-creator through the InQubator, supporting Figura from its earliest software foundations through to market readiness.
03How fast is the analysis?
A measurement run takes 2–3 minutes and the full capture-and-analysis cycle completes within about 30 minutes, with a machine-learning classifier analysing 50,000+ data sets per second in real time.
04How was usability improved?
Qubiz replaced a dated, expert-only interface with a clean, modern one. Operators configure a sample, start the process and step away — the system only alerts them if manual intervention is genuinely required.
