Ocean Optics - a Halma PR news blog

Spectroscopy Leader Opens its Doors to Teachers June 17, 2008
Dunedin, Florida (May 8, 2008) – Ocean Optics is hosting an open house for high school educators at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida, on June 17, 2008 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. (GMT-5).

Founded by former University of South Florida and University of Central Florida researchers nearly 20 years ago, Ocean Optics continues to be a strong advocate of education and scientific discovery in the community.

The free event will allow local science teachers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience using spectrometers in chemistry, physics and biology instruction. Experiments will be conducted to demonstrate the fundamental principles of absorbance, Beer’s Law and kinetics, using Ocean Optics spectrometers and software.

Lunch will be provided and attendees will receive a free optical fiber as well as a copy of the company’s Applications in Spectroscopy curriculum – a $200 value.

“Our goal is to help educators bring excitement back into the classroom,” says event host, Monde Qhobosheane (Dr. Q). “This is an opportunity for us to advocate for teachers and pupils alike by giving them the tools they need to inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers.”

Those interested in attending this free event can obtain information at www.spectroscopy101.com, by calling Ocean Optics at 727-733-2447 or by emailing education@oceanoptics.com.

Two-Day Learning Conference for Science Teachers June 18-19, 2008
Dunedin, Florida (May 1, 2008) – Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature spectroscopy, has announced a two-day learning conference for science educators to be held June 18-19, 2008 at the Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

The conference is part of the company’s Spectroscopy 101 (www.spectroscopy101.com) learning program, a structured guide that leads educators through the use of Ocean Optics spectrometers by conducting lab experiments in chemistry, physics and biology.  The Education Division of Ocean Optics is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists with curricula that brings excitement and creativity back into the science classroom experience.

Learning conference attendees will be introduced to the basics of spectrometers, spectroscopy software, optical-sensing technologies, and principles such as Beer’s Law, pH measurement and kinetic measurements.

Additionally, attendees will receive a full conference manual with experiments, a SpectraSuite software site license and a 10% discount off any Ocean Optics spectrometer.

The event is co-sponsored by Vernier Software & Technology, publishers of Logger Pro data collection software and is presented by Monde Qhobosheane, Ph.D., known industry-wide as Dr. Q.  Registration for the full conference is only $99.  Additional information and registration details can be obtained at www.spectroscopy101.com, by calling 727-733-2447 or by emailing education@oceanoptics.com.

New, long-term warranty the first of its kind in the photonics industry
Dunedin, Florida (April 4, 2008) – Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature spectroscopy has instituted an exclusive 3-Year Warranty for the company’s entire line of spectrometers.

Beginning April 1, 2008, spectrometers purchased from Ocean Optics and its authorized distributors are now covered for a full three years against manufacturing defects – regardless of application.  The warranty covers parts and labor needed to repair manufacturing defects that occur during the coverage period and also covers the costs of shipping warranty-related repairs from U.S. customers to Ocean Optics and from Ocean Optics back to the customers.

“To my knowledge, no other manufacturer makes such a bold guarantee,” said Ocean Optics President, Rob Randelman.  “Our spectrometers have gone from the lab to inside active volcanoes and have stood up to rigorous use for years.  That experience, combined with our continuing improvements in quality and manufacturing, ensure the reliability and durability our customers have come to expect.”

More details about Ocean Optics new 3-Year Warranty are available online at www.oceanoptics.com/warranty.asp.

Michael Kayat to lead global sales and marketing activities for leading optical sensing company
Dunedin, Florida (March 25, 2008) – Ocean Optics, a global leader in optical sensing solutions, has appointed Michael Kayat, Ph.D., to the position of Vice President, Sales and Marketing.  He succeeds Rob Randelman, Ph.D., who was promoted to company President.

As Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Kayat will be responsible for managing all sales and marketing activities for the company’s line of miniature fiber optic spectrometers, optical sensors, sampling accessories, light sources, fibers, probe, thin films and optics.  He will supervise a team of application and software sales engineers and identify new applications and markets worldwide for Ocean Optics’ existing and new products.  With world headquarters in Dunedin, Fla. and locations in Europe and Asia, the company is able to provide regional sales and service for its global customers.

Prior to Ocean Optics, Kayat served as President of the Intellectual Capital Consulting division at UTEK Corporation, a specialty finance company focused on open innovation solutions for customers in a wide range of industries including biopharmaceuticals, consumer products, entertainment, semiconductors and telecommunications.  He was previously Director, OEM Sales at semiconductor sensor products company SMaL Camera Technologies, which was acquired by Cypress Semiconductor.  While at SMaL, he was successful in winning multi-year production programs with top global OEMs.  Earlier positions include Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Exa Corporation and sales management positions with two supercomputer companies.  He began his career at LogicaCMG, a global management and systems consulting company. 

“Ocean Optics is a recognized leader in applying cost-effective photonics technologies to a wide range of optical sensing solutions.  Our miniature spectrometer really did change the world,” commented Dr. Kayat.  “We will continue to address our customer’s needs in current and new markets.  As a member of a world class team, together we will take the company to new levels of corporate growth providing innovative products that truly give our customers compelling returns on their investments.”

Before entering the commercial world, Kayat was a research physicist developing and using imaging and spectroscopy instruments on board rockets and satellites.  Together with a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Leicester University (UK) and an undergraduate Physics degree from University of Bristol (UK), Kayat holds an MBA degree from Pepperdine University (USA).  He is a member of several professional organizations including OSA and SPIE, and a member of the Sales and Marketing Executives International.

Cash prize and grant to be awarded at BiOS Conference in San Jose, California

January 17, 2008 - Dunedin, FL – Ocean Optics (www.oceanoptics.com), the industry leader in miniature spectrometers, has announced the winner of their Young Investigator Award and will be presenting a cash prize and grant January 20, 2008 at the 4:50 pm session at this year’s BiOS Conference in Convention Center Room A5.

The award is presented to the author of the best juried paper during the Colloidal Quantum Dots for Biomedical Applications session, who is no more than 5 years out of school.

This year’s cash prize of $1,000 will be awarded to Graduate Student, Allison M. Dennis of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and author of Quantom dot-fluorescent protein FRET probes for protease activity. Additionally, Ocean Optics will award a $1,000 grant to Dennis’ advisor, Professor Gang Bao, Ph.D., the university’s Robert A. Milton Chair in Biomedical Engineering.

“Supporting and encouraging young scientists is something near and very dear to our hearts,” says Rob Randelman, President of Ocean Optics. “Young investigators represent the promise of our industry.”

CCD-array spectrometer ensures accurate color measurement critical to sorting reliability

Dunedin, Florida (December 20, 2007) – Ocean Optics miniature fiber optic spectrometers have been chosen by Huge Winners CNC System (Shenzhen, China) Co. Ltd. for use in its LED (Light Emitting Diode) sorting systems.  After experiencing reliability and accuracy problems with its existing supplier, Huge Winners elected to switch Ocean Optics’ USB4000 Miniature Fiber Optic Spectrometer, a 3648-element CCD-array spectrometer with enhanced resolution and on-board electronics for convenient integration of spectrometer operation.

Each LED manufactured is unique and has slightly different electronic and optical features, requiring that all LEDs be tested and sorted. In LED sorting machines, color measurement is critical to a machine’s reliability and the quality of its results.

Ocean Optics offered Huge Winners a comprehensive plan to dramatically improve the reliability of its LED sorting system. Following close cooperation between the two companies to develop a workable solution, Huge Winners decided to transfer all its business from its existing spectrophotometer supplier to Ocean Optics Asia, based in Shanghai.

With bulbs moving through their sorters at a rate of approximately 8,000 pieces per hour, speed was another important factor for Huge Winners in selecting a spectrometer.  Ocean Optics’ USB4000 measures and processes individual LED spectral data within 10 to 50 milliseconds.  Spectral data is quickly digitized and processed by computer for dominant and peak value wavelength, CIE color and irradiance (lumens).  Based on these results, the sorter then transports each individual bulb to the appropriate collection bin for storage.  Even under rigorous 18 hour work days, the USB4000 maintains consistent speed and accuracy.

The USB4000 Spectrometer selected by Huge Winners is distinguished by enhanced electronics: 16-bit A/D resolution for auto nulling (an enhanced electrical dark-signal correction); EEPROM storage of calibration coefficients for simple spectrometer start-up; 8 programmable GPIO signals for controlling peripheral devices; and an electronic shutter for spectrometer integration times as fast as 3.8 microseconds – a feature that prevents detector saturation. In addition, the USB4000 has signal-to-noise of 300:1, sensitivity of 130 photons/count at 400 nm, and optical resolution (FWHM) ranging from 0.3-10.0 nm.

About Ocean Optics
Headquartered in Dunedin, Fla., Ocean Optics is a leading supplier of solutions for optical sensing - fundamental methods of measuring and interpreting the interaction of light with matter.  With branch offices in Asia and Europe, the company has sold nearly 100,000 spectrometers worldwide since 1989.  Ocean Optics’ extensive line of complementary technologies including chemical sensors, analytical instrumentation, optical fibers, thin films and optics is also used for diverse applications in medical and biological research, environmental monitoring, science education, and entertainment lighting and display. The company is part of the Halma group of safety and detection companies.

About Huge Winners
Located in Shenzhen, Huge Winners CNC System (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. (www.hwincnc.com) is a technology leader in LED manufacturing, testing and sorting machines, precision laser machines, PCB drilling machines and semiconductor laser min-machines. The company has over 150 employees and over 40% of its technicians are involved in research and development.

Spectrometer Manufacturer looks to annual conference to introduce new products
Dunedin, Florida (December 14, 2007) – Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature photonics, will exhibit new spectrometer products at the 2008 Photonics West Conference and Expo, January 22 – 24, 2008 in San Jose, California.

During the annual conference and expo, Ocean Optics will introduce updates to its product line of spectrometers and measuring instruments including its new Jaz modular sensing suite.

Developed by Ocean Optics to be a stackable, multi-module optical sensing solution, Jaz boasts remote sensing capabilities, has a powerful onboard microprocessor with OLED display and is available with a battery module for field work.

Situated in Booth# 927, Ocean Optics will offer demonstrations of Jaz and other systems, provide visitors technical assistance and generate on-the-spot quotations.

“We anticipate that this Photonics West will be the most exciting one yet for Ocean Optics,” says Rob Morris, Director of Marketing and Customer Relations. “There is so much that is new to share with attendees, including some exciting UV and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy technologies. But, people will be most amazed by Jaz, which we believe will change the entire face of optical sensing.”

Company expands R&D department to include specialist in Photonics, Optics and Laser Technology

Dunedin, Florida (November 12, 2007) – Ocean Optics, the industry leader in miniature photonics, has appointed Hwan Kim, Ph.D. as the company’s new Optical Research Scientist.

Dr. Kim comes to Ocean Optics with an extensive background in photonics, optics and lasers with both theoretical and practical experience.  In his new role at Ocean Optics he will focus on characterizing and supporting the company’s existing products while helping to develop the next generation of optical measurement technologies.

A Ph.D. graduate of Optical Physics from the School of Optics/CREOL at the University of Central Florida, Dr. Kim earned his Masters of Science and Bachelors of Science from Pusan National University in South Korea.

New distributor headed up by former company president

Dunedin, Florida (October 12, 2007) – Ocean Optics, Inc. has appointed SpectrEcology, LLC as a distributor of its line of miniature spectrometers, fiber optics, chemical sensors and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) systems.  SpectrEcology was formed by Mike Morris, former president and founder of Ocean Optics, and will provide engineering and support services to introduce Ocean Optics’ technologies into new market areas.

SpectrEcology will focus on clients who need assistance with field science applications, in-situ or environmental applications such as heavy metals detection, oxygen and pH measurements, natural coloration and color vision, ultra fast laser characterization and radiometric measurements.  Spectrometer use is increasing in a wide variety of applications from agriculture to consumer product manufacturing lines.  SpectrEcology will provide customers with hands on expertise in incorporating this technology into their operations.

SpectrEcology founder Mike Morris has more than 20 years of experience developing oceanographic instrumentation.  Morris founded pHish Doctor, Inc. in 1988 to manufacture and distribute pH sensors for aquariums.  In 1989, he founded Ocean Optics and was awarded two Small Business Innovation Research grants that led to the development of the world’s first miniature spectrometer.  Since its inception, Ocean Optics has sold nearly 100,000 spectrometers and has developed over 1,500 new products.  In 2004, Ocean Optics was sold to Halma, plc a U.K.-based public company.

For more information, visit www.SpectrEcology.com, or contact SpectrEcology, LLC at 727.230.1697 or info@SpectrEcology.com.

Rob Randelman takes helm at Dunedin-based photonics manufacturer

Dunedin, Florida (October 5, 2007) – Ocean Optics, leading spectroscopy and photonic instruments manufacturer, has promoted Rob Randelman, Ph.D. to the position of company President.  Randelman’s appointment follows the move of former President and company founder, Mike Morris, to the position of Vice Chairman for the company.

Randelman joined Ocean Optics in 2006 as Vice President, Sales & Marketing and has been instrumental in driving the company’s continued sales and profit growth.  He has directed the expansion of the company’s geographic presence, which included the establishment of a full sales and service facility based in Shanghai, China. 

Prior to Ocean Optics, Randelman served as Director of secure electronic payment technology company, VeriFone, where he directed a $40M services division.  His career also included management stints with Hewlett Packard and Exxon.  Before progressing to industrial management positions, Randelman worked in miniature fiber optic sensor and spectrometer research.  He earned Doctorate and Master of Science in Engineering degrees in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University (Bethlehem, Pa.) and dual undergraduate degrees in Physics and Chemistry from Ursinus College (Collegeville, Pa.).

“Having been on both the academic side and the technology management side during my career, I feel like I bring a unique perspective to Ocean Optics,” said Randelman.  “I’m looking forward to using that experience to help the company continue on its successful track and look for ways to better serve our end users.”