Business briefs

29 Mar 2010

Featuring news from Optics Balzers, StockerYale, Edmund Optics, JPSA and more.

• Optics Balzers of Liechtenstein, a supplier of optical thin-film components and assemblies, has acquired mso jena Mikroschichtoptik of Germany for an undisclosed sum. Mso, a specialist developer of optical components based on interference coatings, has changed its name to Optics Balzers Jena. In a statement, Optics Balzers said the deal would generate additional sustainable growth for both parties and secure jobs at both sites.

• StockerYale, a manufacturer of diode-based laser modules and LED systems, said it had experienced a substantial increase in bookings across all product lines during Q4 of 2009 and Q1 of 2010 as it reported its financial results for fiscal 2009.

“Fourth quarter orders increased 64% over the prior year and increased 68% sequentially over the third quarter of 2009,” stated Mark Blodgett, chairman and CEO of StockerYale. “Based on this trend we expect a continuation of sequential revenue growth in the first quarter of 2010. We are heartened by the recent improvements in our business outlook and view StockerYale’s future with optimism.”

• Leap Medical of Canada has secured $1.025 m (Canadian dollars) in seed financing. The cash will help the company to develop its technology for the rapid detection of brain injuries and infection. The company has also negotiated an option agreement with McGill University (Montreal) for exclusive worldwide license rights to develop and commercialize products based on its pioneering photonics research.

McGill's technology is said to be the first to exploit the properties of an evanescent field to non-invasively analyse biofluids located several centimetres behind outer tissue layers. A light source is directed onto a scattering surface (such as the skull), and is internally reflected. This internal reflection generates a wave of energy out of the far side of the scattering layer, called an evanescent field. The evanescent field interacts with the layers of tissue beneath the skull and affects the properties of the light that is internally reflected. An external detector receives the reflected light and the signal is processed to extract the characteristics of the different (deep) tissues encountered.

• Tessera Technologies has licensed its OptiML focusing solution to AzureWave Technologies. OptiML provides automatic focus capabilities in camera-enabled devices to deliver high-quality images with no moving parts. AzureWave, based in Taiwan, will integrate the innovative technology into its next-generation camera modules for laptop computers, webcams, mobile phones and other camera-enabled devices.

• Edmund Optics (EO) has penned distribution agreements with the Brazilian company, Cidepe – Centro Industrial de Equipamentos de Ensino e Pesquisa Ltda, covering Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Columbia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and Intecs Instrumentación S.A. de C.V. covering Mexico. Both distributors will offer technical support and conduct sales in local currency and language.

EO’s UK office has relocated into a newly constructed 10,000 ft². facility in York, UK. The move will allow company to continue to offer world-class service, support and quick delivery to any point in Europe.

• TOPTICA has appointed Patrick Leisching as its new head of R&D. Leisching takes over Frank Lison, who will concentrate on the management of TILL Photonics, a company recently acquired by TOPTICA which specialises in live cell imaging.

• J. P. Sercel Associates (JPSA) has appointed AGK-World as its Business Development Consultant to enhance its presence in the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe. JPSA develops excimer and diode-pumped solid-state industrial laser machining systems.