About
FISH Innovation was founded by Dr Stuart Colam to develop breakthrough technologies grounded in wave physics. Stuart is an applied-physics inventor whose work spans acoustics, vibration, thermofluids, waveguides, complex media, meta-materials and sensing. His focus is on turning unconventional physical insight into practical, commercially valuable technology.
Stuart’s background combines deep technical expertise with hands-on product innovation. He studied Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) at the University of Surrey, before completing an MSc and PhD in acoustics at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (University of Southampton). His doctoral research centred on low-frequency absorption and waveguide-based control in critical listening environments.
He spent ten years with Arup, leading teams in advanced acoustics and product development. During this time he delivered pioneering work in passive attenuation, wave-based ventilation systems and acoustic-material technologies, with projects that won internal and external innovation awards.
The cross-ventilation system he developed whilst at Arup became a benchmark commercial product (Passivent SoundScoop) and strengthened an interest in applied physics-led invention.
Stuart founded FISH Innovation to pursue this direction full-time: developing early-stage concepts, building demonstrators, and generating high-value IP across multiple sectors. His work has produced patented technologies now deployed commercially, as well as new approaches in fluid-dynamic enhancement, time-of-flight sensing, waveguide attenuation, meta-acoustics and optimisation analogues.
He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng), a Member of the Institute of Acoustics (MIOA), and an award-winning inventor recognised for his contributions to acoustic product development and wave-based innovation.