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Optical pH sensing cuvettes turn spectrophotometers into drift-free pH meters
Dunedin, FL (February 5, 2010) – Proprietary sol gel coating materials developed by Ocean Optics have enabled new technology for convenient, non-intrusive monitoring of biological samples. By encapsulating pH indicator dyes into coatings applied to its new Smart pH Cuvettes, Ocean Optics miniature fiber optic spectrometers and accessories can be used for optical pH sensing of 5.0-9.0 pH range samples.  With Smart pH Cuvettes, pH readings can be taken quickly and accurately using existing spectrometer setups, negating the need for a dedicated pH meter.  PH measurements are critical in applications ranging from DNA analysis, drug discovery, and blood analysis, to environmental monitoring and food and beverage production.

Ocean Optics’ Smart pH Cuvettes turn an existing spectrometer set up into a drift free optical pH meter.

The Smart pH Cuvettes’ immobilized indicator dye is encapsulated into a robust sol gel matrix, allowing for the diffusion of ions while preventing leaching of the dye. Unlike traditional pH electrode meters, Smart pH Cuvettes can be used for monitoring low conductivity samples such as boiler water. In addition, fully integrated Smart Cuvette pH systems provide full spectral analysis to help eliminate errors from changes in turbidity, temperature and ionic strength. The physical properties of the immobilized indicator dye eliminate the need for frequent calibration.

Smart pH Cuvettes are 1-cm square, come in plastic Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or quartz and are coated on their inner walls with a sol gel embedded with Bromocresol Green pH indicator dye. The cuvettes are available separately (in 8-, 50- and 100-cuvette packs) or as part of a fully integrated desktop or handheld spectrometer-based pH system.

The PMMA Cuvettes have a temperature range of -5 °C to 70 °C, while quartz is available for high-temperature applications. The PMMA Cuvettes are compatible with aqueous solutions, ethanol/methanol solutions, ammonia, peroxides and sodium hypochlorite solutions. The quartz cuvettes also can be used in acetone and concentrated acids (including nitric, sulfuric and acetic). Although PMMA cuvettes are designed to be disposable, they can be used multiple times depending on sample environments. 

For additional applications, such as through-package monitoring, Ocean Optics’ proprietary pH-sensitive transducer materials can also be formulated as self-adhesive patches and integrated into biological and other types of sample containers.

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Cash prize and grant awarded during SPIE BiOS/Photonics West 2010 conference
Dunedin, FL (January 25, 2010) – Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature photonics, is pleased to announce that Cheng-An J. Lin, Ph.D., is the winner of the SPIE 2010 Young Investigator Award sponsored by the company.

(L-R) Marek Osinski, Chairman Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications V” of BiOS/Photonics West; Rob Randelman, President Ocean Optics; Cheng-An J. Lin, Ph.D., winner SPIE 2010 Young Investigator Award.

The Young Investigator Award is presented to the researcher who is no more than five years out of school and is author of the best juried paper submitted as part of the “Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications V” session of the Nano/Biophotonics Program Track of the 2010 BiOS/Photonics West. The honor includes a $1,000 investigator reward and a company grant to the investigator’s advisor.

Dr. Lin, a post-doctoral researcher at the Center of Nano Bioengineering, Chung Yuan University in Taiwan, was honored for his work as lead author of “Synthesis and Surface Modification of Highly Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters and Their Exploitation for Cellular Labeling.” Lin presented the paper (7576-6) on Monday, Jan. 25 at 11:45 a.m. at the BiOS/Photonics West conference. His advisor is Professor Walter H. Chang of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chung-Li, Taiwan.

“Supporting and encouraging young scientists from around the world is something we believe in deeply,” said Rob Randelman, President of Ocean Optics. “We have a long history of support for researchers ranging from undergraduate students to post-doctoral fellows to novice professionals and budding entrepreneurs. Young investigators represent the promise of both scientific discovery and industry growth.”

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Jaz goes beyond traditional light meters to provide full spectral analysis
Dunedin, FL (January 22, 2010) – Now available from Ocean Optics is a light-measurement system for spectroradiometric analysis of LEDs, lamps, flat panel displays and other radiant sources, as well as solar radiation. With its small footprint, powerful microprocessor and low-power display, the new Jaz-ULM-200 is a convenient, versatile alternative to standard light meters and radiometers.

The Ocean Optics Jaz-ULM-200 Light Measurement System collects spectral irradiance data from LEDs, light sources and radiant sources such as the sun.

Jaz is family of stackable components that share common electronics and communications and are configurable for a variety of applications. Included in the Jaz-ULM-200 stack is a CCD-array spectrometer that can be optimized for a variety of radiometric measurements and a microprocessor with onboard display.

Jaz provides functionality not found in traditional light meters, allowing users to capture, process and store full spectra without the need for a PC.  With only three pushes of a button, the system’s irradiance-measurement software, which is stored on an SD card, collects full spectral irradiance information from the selected light source. This data can then be post-processed to give the intensity parameter of choice, including W/cm2, lumens, lux, PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) or any other light intensity parameter. The system’s three-button wizard simplifies operation so that even non-spectroscopy experts are able to perform fast and accurate measurements.

In addition to the Jaz-ULM-200’s spectrometer and microprocessor, it includes an Ethernet module to store data via an SD card slot and allows users to connect to the Jaz unit via the Internet.  The internet capability enables remote measurements such as solar irradiance and the creation of networked sensing modules. Also included are a rechargeable lithium-ion battery module (with SD card slot) for portability and a special mounting fixture for orienting the Jaz stack horizontally to facilitate hands-free operation.

Additional system components include a direct-attach cosine corrector for collecting radiation within a 180-degree Field of View, a carrying case with shoulder strap and a rugged Pelican case for storing all related gear. Software includes the Jaz system software and JAZ-A-IRRAD, an irradiance-measurement application that comes on an SD card.

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Fluorescence-based optical O2 sensor is portable and battery-operated
Dunedin, FL (January 11, 2010) – The NeoFox Sport is a portable, handheld optical oxygen sensor for measuring dissolved and gaseous oxygen pressure in a variety of media. The sensor uses a proprietary sol-gel coating that is embedded with an oxygen indicator and can be applied to patches or probes. Patches are useful for measuring headspace gases and other parameters inside packages and containers; probe options range from slender, 300 µm-diameter fiber assemblies for fine spatial resolution applications to robust, ¼-inch OD stainless steel configurations for process environments. Coating formulations are available for general lab use, high-sensitivity applications and hydrocarbon-rich sample environments.

The portable Ocean Optics NeoFox Sport measures dissolved and gaseous oxygen pressure in a variety of media.

Comprised of a probe- or patch-based oxygen sensor, plus a phase fluorometer, the NeoFox Sport fluorescence-based optical oxygen system includes an onboard microprocessor with low-power OLED display, a user interface and a battery pack. The user interface permits such functions as setting single- or multi-point calibration and displaying oxygen readings in percent oxygen, partial pressure, moles per liter and other parameters. Data is captured and stored to a 2-GB SD card for retrieval on the NeoFox Sport itself or via an SD card reader connected to a PC. Response times range from <1.0 seconds in gas to ~30 seconds in liquids, with dissolved oxygen range (O2% at 1 Atmosphere) of 0-100% for most applications. 

NeoFox Sport sensors combine the best of advances in materials sciences and phase fluorometry. A fluorescence-based transducer material is trapped in a sol-gel coating that is applied to the probe or patch. When the material, or indicator changes optical properties in response to specific analytes in its immediate environment, the NeoFox Sport measures the response. Unlike polarographic and galvanic oxygen meters, the NeoFox Sport optical oxygen sensor is immune to environmental changes in pH, salinity and ionic strength. Other advantages of optical oxygen sensors include no sample consumption, no need for frequent calibration and no interference from electromagnetic interference.

Optional add-on accessories for NeoFox Sport include a battery-life extender for up to 25 hours of continuous operation and a field-friendly carrying pack with shoulder strap. OEM options are also available.

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Extended spectral range with high optical resolution fits project needs and budget
Dunedin, FL (December 14, 2009) – Miniature spectroscopy pioneer Ocean Optics has expanded the wavelength capabilities of several of its popular miniature fiber optic spectrometers. The XR-Series, available for the USB2000+, JAZ-EL2000, and USB4000, covers all wavelengths from ~200-1050 nm with the convenience and affordability of a single, monolithic spectrometer.

XR-Series covers all wavelengths from ~200-1050 nm in a single, monolithic spectrometer.

The new XR-1 grating option developed by Ocean Optics overcomes the traditional challenges of providing broad UV-NIR coverage in a single miniature spectrometer.  With a 500 lines/mm density, the grating delivers high performance at a budget-friendly price, without increasing the system footprint.  The XR-1 grating is available pre-configured in the USB2000+, JAZ-EL2000, and USB4000 and may also be added as an option to custom-built systems.

The XR-Series spectrometers deliver an optical resolution of ~2.0 nm (FWHM).  Ocean Optics’ proprietary order-sorting filter is applied directly to the detector to eliminate second- and third-order effects.  The 25 µm slit on the preconfigured units delivers good optical resolution for most applications. XR-Series spectrometers are a convenient single-instrument solution for setups where both UV-VIS and VIS-NIR measurements are needed, and are well suited to measurement of samples with response across the entire wavelength range, such as solar irradiance, atomic emission line measurement and some plasma applications.

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Spectrographic data from “ALICE,” part of NASA LCROSS Mission
Dunedin, FL (November 19, 2009) – Spectrographic data taken from an Ocean Optics spectrometer has helped NASA confirm the presence of water ice on the moon. The spectrometer, custom re-engineered for space duty by Aurora Design & Technology (www.AuroraDesignTech.com) and dubbed “ALICE,” was part of the scientific payload on NASA’s Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission.

Ocean Optics’ ALICE Spectrometer has helped NASA confirm the presence of water on the moon.

The LCROSS shepherding spacecraft (S-S/C) carrying ALICE made spectroscopic measurement of the permanently shadowed crater Cabeus, near the lunar south pole, as the spacecraft’s Centaur upper rocket stage impacted the floor of Cabeus.  The instruments on board the S-S/C monitored the emission caused by the Centaur impact, as well as the resulting two-part debris plume created by the impact.

NASA scientists announced Friday (November 13) that the signature of water was seen in both near-infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopic measurements taken during the mission.  Ocean Optics’ ALICE provided the ultraviolet measurements, confirming the findings of the near-infrared spectroscopic measurements.  From the data gathered, NASA scientists were able to estimate that roughly 220 pounds of water were found by the instruments in the material excavated from the 20-30 m wide crater form by the Centaur impact.  It is hoped that water on the moon could set the stage for further space exploration by providing drinking water or even rocket fuel derived from its hydrogen and oxygen molecules.

Ocean Optics’ highly-sensitive QE65000 Spectrometer was adapted to withstand the rigors of space- extreme temperature ranges, radiation, shock and vibration.  With a wavelength range of 270-650 nm and an optical resolution of less than 1.0 nm, ALICE was designed to identify, with a high degree of accuracy, ionized water (visible at 619 nm), OH radicals (visible at 308 nm) and other organic molecules containing carbon.  Though the measurements were made from the ejecta reflecting sunlight scattered off of the crater walls, the unit’s back-thinned detector was able to make the most of the available light.

ALICE was developed in partnership with Aurora Design & Technology, which played a significant role in the mission, developing the optics that collected light from the impact and resulting ejecta plume for the mission.  Aurora’s Dr. Dave Landis was the only private sector member of the LCROSS Science Team.  The company specializes in providing low-cost modifications of COTS instrumentation for use in the aerospace industry as well as other demanding physical environments.

Ocean Optics and Aurora Design & Technology have collaborated on other NASA space projects, including the ChemCam Mars mission.  A unit designed around Ocean Optics’ HR-Series spectrometers will be part of the mission to study rock and soil composition on the red planet, scheduled to launch in fall 2011.  Aurora Design & Technology is also developing spectroscopic systems for NASA’s LADEE mission (based on Ocean Optics’ QE65000) and O/OREOS mission (based on their USB2000+).

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Saves OEMs time and money in developing custom software
Dunedin, FL (November 17, 2009) – Initially developed for OEM use in embedded system applications, Ocean Optics  has introduced the new SeaBreeze OEM Driver Software. This compact, fast and flexible software saves OEMs time and money with a basic starting platform that can be customized, by developers, for their own unique applications and instruments.

SeaBreeze OEM Software Development Platform

Without the typical Java run time load of other platforms, SeaBreeze delivers faster processing and is compact enough to be built directly into spectral libraries smaller than 500k. Its superior speed is achieved by minimal overhead between requesting and reading out data. SeaBreeze communicates with devices using different protocols and buses and easily accommodates the addition of support for new features within existing devices. The portable software design enables SeaBreeze to be adapted to new platforms simply by providing a native implementation of the bus interfaces for the target.

Intended for use by experienced C/C++ programmers, SeaBreeze provides a starting point for developers that would otherwise have to create an equivalent device interface because existing options are too large or complex for their application.  It supports most Ocean Optics’ USB spectrometers for Linux and Windows operating systems, and is extensible so developers can add required enhancements to increase functionality and device compatibility.

Ocean Optics’ dedicated OEM engineering team provides expert integration support to assist OEMs with their development challenges.  As the result of specifying and delivering over 100,000 custom-system spectrometers since 1992, the OEM team is able to address any mechanical, software, optical, or electronic integration need. 

To learn more about SeaBreeze, or the company’s full range of sophisticated software, contact Ocean Optics’ dedicated engineering team through its new website, www.oceanoem.com, by phone +1 727-733-2447, or by e-mail oem@oceanoptics.com.

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Dunedin, FL (November 6, 2009) – To augment its dedicated OEM engineering resources, Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature photonics, has launched www.OceanOEM.com, devoted to the needs of its OEM customers.  The new site offers product, application and engineering information geared specifically to the makers of analytical equipment requiring optical and oxygen sensing components.

www.oceanoem.com

Ocean Optics offers a variety of spectrometer models, custom photometric solutions, light sources, sample holders, and optical fibers for OEM applications.  The OEM Engineering Team has assisted OEMS in medical, process manufacturing, environmental, agricultural, life science, laboratory, pharmaceutical, metrology, semiconductor and forensics applications with the development of both components and entire systems.

At www.OceanOEM.com, customers can browse only the products and content relevant to their OEM mechanical, software, optical, or electronic integration needs.  The site’s Resource section serves up manuals, datasheets, engineering drawings, and educational articles. 

“Our modular product design and engineering expertise have enabled us to develop more than 130,000 unique customer solutions,” explained Bob Kearton, Director of the OEM Business Unit. “Ocean Optics’ OEM services have long been an under-marketed asset. We’ve built an incredible knowledge base that allows us to provide time- and cost-effective answers to even the most challenging OEM problems.  With the launch of this web site, we convey the real value and solutions driven approach offered to OEM accounts.”

To learn more about Ocean Optics’ OEM capabilities, visit www.oceanoem.com, e-mail oem@oceanoptics.com, or call 727.733-2447.

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Versatile InGaAs-array spectrometer for a host of applications from 900-2500 nm 
Dunedin, FL (September 23, 2009) – A high-performance optical bench, low-noise electronics and various wavelength range options make the NIRQuest Spectrometer from Ocean Optics (www.oceanoptics.com) versatile enough for NIR applications ranging from moisture detection and chemical analysis to high-resolution laser and optical fiber characterization. This robust, plug-and-play spectrometer is available in versions for 900-1700 nm, 900-2050 nm and 900-2500 nm coverage.

NIRQuest uses a high-performance Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs)-array detector in a compact optical bench with thermoelectric cooler and low-noise electronics. A high gain mode option improves system sensitivity for low light-level and low-concentration measurements. In addition, integration times as rapid as 1 ms are possible.

NIRQuest’s modular design and new grating options deliver more customization for a wider variety of applications: moisture analysis in grains and cereals; chemical analysis of blood and tissue; bacterial detection in food and beverage production; nitrogen content monitoring of plants and soils; and chemical composition of pharmaceuticals. A special grating option and external triggering are useful tools for high-resolution (to 0.25 nm FWHM) laser characterization. NIRQuest Spectrometers are also available for integration into OEM devices.

The NIRQuest uses SpectraSuite Spectrometer Operating Software – a modular, Java-based spectroscopy platform that operates in Windows, Mac OS and Linux operating systems. Plus, NIRQuest can be bundled with the Remora Network Adapter from Ocean Optics to turn the system into a multi-user spectral data server over Ethernet or your existing Wi-Fi connection.

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Dunedin, FL (September 1, 2009) – To better serve its growing global OEM business, Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature photonics, has formed a dedicated OEM engineering group.  This group provides expert integration support to optimize and expedite the commercialization efforts of both new and established OEM customers.  These services are extended to all OEMs whether they contract directly with Ocean Optics, or purchase through local distribution channels.

The OEM team brings together expertise across disciplines, including PhD level optical and biochemistry engineering; physics; electrical engineering; mechanical engineering; and software development.  With extensive experience in optical design and applications such as blood chemistry analysis, the team is poised to address any mechanical, software, optical, or electronic integration need. 

The company’s vertically integrated product line enables the OEM team to offer complete system design capability for OEMs from supply of fiber assemblies and light sources, to coatings and sample holders.  This is especially useful for OEMs with limited resources, and has proven very time- and cost-effective for OEMs requiring a fast track solution. 

Ocean Optics provides integrated system and sub-system manufacturing, inventory control of customer owned material, lean manufacturing practices such as Kanban releases for JIT shipment, and is ISO 9001:2008 certified.  The company currently ships close to 20,000 spectrometers per year with the capacity to more than double that amount.

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