About Geoptic
Geoptic is a spin-out of Durham University, the University of Sheffield and St Mary’s University, Twickenham, founded in 2020 to commercialise muon imaging. For more than five years, our specialists have helped the international engineering community see inside infrastructure and ground that conventional methods cannot reach.
2020
Founded
3
Co-founding universities
5+
Years delivering
7
Major awards won
Leadership
The team behind Geoptic combines particle physics, geoscience and commercial delivery — the same group that pioneered industrial muon imaging in the UK.
Managing DirectorPhysicist, entrepreneur and Co-Founder. With more than 20 years in advanced sensing and commercial muon imaging, Chris has led major projects across subsurface CO2 monitoring, tunnels, nuclear waste and buried infrastructure — including the world’s first muon image of a subsurface stored CO2 plume. Previously, he led the UK’s first industrial muon imaging team.
Profile →
Technical DirectorParticle physicist with leadership experience across major international programmes at CERN, Fermilab and J-PARC. A former head of particle physics at the University of Sheffield, with deep expertise in advanced detector and calibration systems, including the ANTARES and KM3NeT neutrino observatories. Lee works across customer engagement, project delivery and international representation.
Profile →
ChairGeoscientist with a career spanning industry and academia, centred on fluid-rock interaction across petroleum, natural hydrogen, helium, geothermal and carbon geostorage systems. Jon has founded numerous resource exploration and Earth observation companies and the UK National Geothermal Centre, and recently completed a term as President of the Geological Society.
Profile →Our story
Four co-founders brought together expertise in geoscience, particle physics and nuclear physics, with a shared aim of developing a new way to image engineering structures.
Geoptic was founded in 2020 to use the natural flux of muons at the Earth’s surface. This work led to a solution for the UK railways’ historic concealed-shaft challenge. Geoptic continues to deliver bespoke applied muon-imaging R&D and build its IP portfolio and reputation for trusted delivery.
In March 2025, Geoptic passed five years of supporting the international engineering community — with more to come, given the richness of physics within the Earth’s natural cosmic ray background.
Partners
Geoptic is proud to work closely with its UK University partners, and grateful for their continued support.
As a co-founding university, Durham brings extensive experience in technology transfer and scientific commercialisation.
Visit university →
One of the UK’s newest and most vibrant universities, having significant impact with its Applied Sciences — researchers have worked with organisations from the UK’s National Ballet to Chelsea Football Club.
Visit university →
Sheffield takes research from the laboratory to the world, and Geoptic is a clear example of its long-term economic impact. Sheffield spin-outs have significant societal benefits.
Visit university →Recognition
Next step
Share the asset, suspected feature and available access. Geoptic can provide an initial view on feasibility and the most appropriate survey approach.