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.”

Comments (0) »

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.

Comments (0) »

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.

Comments (0) »