AnthroTek has specialised silicone skin in the game

AnthroTek, a start-up developing silicone hyper-realistic skin, is pushing the boundaries of material science from its workshop.

Formed by former head of DNA synthesis at Evonetix, Raoul Peltier, and Nazmus Tareque, founder of Cambridge-based video production agency Lumifig, AnthroTek leverages Raoul’s scientific and technical expertise and Nazmus’ commercial and tech insights to fuse cutting-edge AI, 3D technology, and artistry.

“Together,” says Nazmus, “we aim to redefine silicone replication and create specialised silicone skins for cinema SFX, medical, robotics, and prosthetics.”

The company was formed in July. Raoul had left Evonetix earlier in the year to pursue his passion for crafting SFX prosthetics for the cinema industry and specialised applications. Nazmus was working at Lumifig. They went punting along the Cam one day and realised they had complementary skill sets.

“Fast forward two months,” says Nazmus, “and we have now secured substantial funding, acquired a commercial lease, set up our workshop in Newmarket, built a team of five, delivered SFX masks for three upcoming blockbuster movies, and landed contracts with leading medical device and surgical training providers.

“For these medical clients, we are creating anatomically correct body parts and hyper-realistic silicone skins for surgical training.”

The silicone ‘skin’ is developed using 3D modelling techniques.

“Our in-house team has created hyper-realistic skin textures that can be printed with 3D printers to create moulds. Our silicone technicians, in-house artists, and painters then work together to produce hyper-realistic skins and prosthetics tailored to specific applications.”

AnthroTek’s customers come from three main industries: medical and surgical training, the cinema and entertainment industry, and, increasingly, some innovative humanoid robotics companies.

“On the medical and surgical training side, we’re thrilled to be working with one of Cambridge’s prominent, human-centered medical device manufacturers, CalriMed, to create anatomically accurate body parts and hyper-realistic skins for surgical training.

“In the cinema industry, our customers are primarily high-end productions. Over the last two months, we successfully designed, printed, and shipped special effects masks for three movies.”

AnthroTek has also recently signed Dr Paul Stanley as chief science officer.

Nazmus notes: “Paul holds a PhD in chemistry and material science and, for the past five years, has served as the technical lead at a company specialising in 3D printing of DNA. He brings expertise in 3D modelling and printing, utilising advanced software and hardware to create precise structures, and excels in developing new materials specifically for 3D printing by integrating biochemical techniques with engineering principles.

“All our production is in-house at our workshop in Newmarket.”