From chaos comes encryption

Gerard Vidal's PhD experimental physics studies into chaotic patterns had no obvious application in the "real world" when he completed it in 2010.

But through a series of serendipitous discoveries and a dose of business acumen he co-founded Enigmedia with Carlos Tomás. It promises to revolutionise industrial communications and internet of things (IoT) by using Vidal’s insights into chaotic patterns.

The IoT connects and integrates everything from home appliances to whole factories. It is estimated the IoT will consist of 25 billion connect sensors, machines and devices by 2020. These may range from smart thermostats in the home to factory production line robots.

For his work making the IoT secure Vidal and Enigmedia are the proud recipients of the Real Innovation Award's Alexander Fleming Serendipity Award. Judges were impressed how a pure science endeavour could result in such a timely and marketable product.