February 8, 2018
Ocean Optics has expanded its spectroscopy capabilities by partnering with Pyreos Limited (Edinburgh, Scotland) to develop new mid-IR solutions. Unlike traditional FT-IR spectrometers, the unique combination of Pyreos’ detectors and Ocean Optics applied spectroscopy knowledge will enable businesses and researchers to create rapid, accurate and field-portable devices. MIR technology makes possible a wealth of potential applications in chemical and pharmaceutical quality, food and agriculture analysis, environmental testing, and scientific research.
Ocean Optics has extensive applications and OEM development experience across the UV, Visible and NIR ranges, while Pyreos is the world’s only supplier of thin film PZT pyroelectric sensors. These are used for MIR sensing including in-line arrays. The partnership combines Ocean Optics spectrometer design and manufacturing expertise with the Pyreos line array technology.
Ocean and Pyreos are working on an ultra-fast, compact Mid-IR ATR reflectance system for labs that will set a new benchmark for size and value in the research and science market. This is expected in the first half of 2018.
One of the first OEM products to result from the collaboration is a device intended for anti-counterfeit detection in food, including milk contamination. The device will screen for the presence of adulterants.
The speed, compact size and robustness of MIR-based devices will enable new OEM products to meet the needs of challenging applications such as food safety, oil quality, and anti-counterfeiting. Ocean Optics and Pyreos are co-developing bespoke MIR solutions for customers and are actively seeking new application areas.
“The collaboration with Pyreos allows us to broaden our mid-IR applications expertise while being part of projects with life-changing potential,” said Lora Allemeier, President of Ocean Optics. “We will continue to explore strategic partnerships with the leading innovators in optical sensing and take on emerging analytical challenges on a global scale.”
Andrew Wallace, CEO of Pyreos, commented, “Compact Mid-IR spectrometry sensors and products are now a ‘pull’ market and we see increasing awareness of new applications across the industry. Ocean Optics is a recognized leader in spectrometry and has brought expertise and precision to the project. Partnerships such as this are key to rapid development of new Mid-IR techniques.”
Ocean Optics offers a variety of spectrometers, Raman systems, light sources, sampling optics, chemical sensors and optical fibers for researchers, educators, developers and OEMs. The company recently added multispectral sensing and imaging offerings into its portfolio, and continues to build its design, manufacturing and application capabilities in support of researchers, developers and OEMs across a wide range of applications including biomedical, food and agriculture, and process monitoring.
To learn more about Ocean Optics optical sensing capabilities, please contact an Ocean Optics Applications Scientist.
About Ocean Optics
Headquartered in Largo, Fla., Ocean Optics is a leading supplier of spectral solutions for optical sensing – fundamental methods of measuring and interpreting the interaction of light with matter. With locations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, the company has sold more than 260,000 spectrometers worldwide since 1992. Ocean Optics’ extensive line of complementary technologies includes UV-Vis, NIR-MIR and Raman spectrometers; chemical sensors; analytical instrumentation; multi-wavelength sensors and multispectral cameras; and optical fibers and components. The company is a subsidiary of Halma plc, an international market leader in safety, health and sensor technology.
Pyreos is the world’s only supplier of thin-film PZT pyroelectric sensors. The company develops and makes these infra-red sensors for use in a wide variety of industrial and consumer products ranging from devices that detect flames or analyse gases through to spectrometers that analyse foodstuffs, engine oils and blood, through to switches and other electronics that detect gestures and presence. The company was spun out from German multinational Siemens in 2007 following €10m (£7.5m) of research and development work and is based at the Scottish Microelectronics Centre in Scotland. Shareholders include Siemens Technology Accelerator (STA), Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH (RBVC), Seraphim Capital, Perscitus Advisers, Wren Capital, Kelvin Capital and Scottish Investment Bank (the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise).