Fast, real-time multispectral and hyperspectral imaging is now possible for spectral identification, target selection, identification and discrimination. The imaging acousto optic tunable filter (AOTF) and spectrally adaptive light filter can be tuned for specific target selection.

Application: Satellite imaging, low contrast and camouflaged object detection, natural and man-made object discrimination, hazardous gas, environmental contamination monitoring, soil quality / contaminates, and medical tumor detection.

Availability: In-house working prototype, ready for OEM application / licensing

POC has developed the autofocusing LC lens with a system which is electro-optic and mechanically “free focusing”. The LC lens approach features a higher numerical aperture, with a less complicated electronic feedback and an object lens which is less complex. The user will find this system much easier to use with no moving parts, and with greater focusing precision. This is all done automatically and virtually unnoticeable to the viewer.
Application: Autofocusing instrumentation, night vision goggles, gastroscopes, microscopes, range finders, cameras, and binoculars.
Availability: Lab demonstration available. Requires NRE for OEM implementation.

ORB is a wireless optical communication system with a 360° field-of-view and at a 15° elevation. Through line of sight, near-infrared ORB with light modulation, transmits an optical, personal signature and survey information. ORB is miniaturized, requires low battery power and can not be jammed.

Application: Robotic surveillances, common knowledge communication and wireless optical communication network.

Availability: Proof of concept completed. In-house demonstration available. Ready for commercialization in 2003.

The “Lobster-Eye” X-ray Imaging Sensor (LEXIS) collimates, focuses, provides better control and greatly improves transmission efficiency of X-rays. LEXIS can focus soft and hard X-rays in the range from 1keV to 140 keV. The collimating hard X-ray optic combined with the X-ray detector (i.e-microchannel plate), significantly lowers the exposure dose, while significantly increasing spatial resolution. At the emitter side, the collimating optics increases flow of X-rays for deeper penetration through industrial samples, with the same X-ray tube.

Application: Industrial and security scanning, medical radiology, and X-ray vision systems.

Availability: Lab research completed - demonstration ready in twelve months.

The Silicon Microchannel Plate (Si-MCP) allows greater X-ray image sensitivity and detection for higher resolution with less X-ray exposure. POC has developed a special technology for the directional Si etching for the fabrication of deep micro channels - 300µm x 5µm x 5µm. The microchannel plate is scalable to a much larger (4” x 4”) area. The Si-MCP can also be used as a soft X-ray collimating and focusing optic. The microchannel structure can be used as a high aspect ratio visible light collimator.

Application: X-ray imaging medical, night vision devices, semiconductor heat - sink, high energy physics, moth eye type antiflection surface, and microbiology.

Availability: The Si-MCP lab feasibility unit is available. Working prototype ready in 2003

Si MCP for NVG and X-ray detection

Advanced optical components and designs can be produced to meet challenging and difficult optical requirements. POC can provide designs, prototypes and production units.

Application: All advanced optical systems.

Availability: Call for assistance.

POC’s compact Continuous Wave (CW) laser and fiber optic is used to identify turbulence signature and atmospheric conditions. By measuring the vibration spectrum, targets can be identified. This eye safe LIDAR is capable of operating at a range up to 5 Km. Long range and high accuracy of distance and velocity measurements is achieved through high frequency modulation of a seed laser diode coupled with a 20W fiber power amplifier.

Application: Measurements of air turbulences, target range finder, atmospheric conditions, vibration spectrum, and wind measurement.

Availability: Current research under way - working prototype in one year.

The Interferometric Target Tracking system measures the position of a fast moving target in the inertial fusion reaction experiment. ITT will not only track but will predict the flight deviation with a precision of 20 microns for objects, moving at a speed of 440 m/sec (e.g. can track a bullet). ITT has a quick reaction rate of less than 0.001 seconds and would warn a soldier of an oncoming sniper bullet in time to move or get out of it’s intended path.

Application: Bullet / target tracking for anti sniper applications, fire arms, missile, and sports equipment.

Availability: Conducting laboratory research.

Designed for the M1 Abrams tank, this special acoustic sensor measures the number and size of dust / dirt / sand particles that come through the air filtering system. These particles can be dangerous to the engine, and can cause critical failure. The SAND system is a sophisticated electonic signal processing system capable of measuring 1200, 5um particles / ft3. SAND works at a frequency wherein scattering is a function of the ratio of particle size to wavelength, producing a clear correlation between the strength of the scattering signal, the concentration of particles, and particulate size.

Application: Dust detection system for heavy duty military and commercial vehicles such as tanks, trucks, plus heavy earth moving, and agriculture equipment. Also environmental and health applications such as conditions found in mines.

Availability: Completing proof of concept lab demonstration in 2003.

A miniature optical sensor, which generates output electric signal if a light reflecting target emerges at a predefined distance in front of the sensor.
Can be installed on a shooting projectile as small as 12-gauge caliber.

Application: The OPS is a critical component for non-lethal munitions. Also OPS can be applied in collision avoidance devices, delivery of electronic tags etc.

Availability: Completing proof of concept. Two 12 gauge prototypes are available.

LORR is an automatic system for measuring dust cloud opacity in military operations and monitoring potential threats to the environment. Such measurements are required by the EPA for environmental protection and security. Current technology relies on subjective observation, while LORR offers reliable objective measurements. LORR measured opacity provides high accuracy at a range of 2Km. Eye safe laser diodes are used in the system with cylindrical retroreflectors. This system is portable, can be tripod mounted or attached to vehicles of structures such as buildings or bridges.

Applications: Pollution monitoring, stack monitoring, military exercise, and EPA monitoring.

Availability: Lab proof of concept in 12 months.

Micom is a membrane based interference contaminant monitor that features a Fabry – Perot interferometer and selective membrane to detect NOx and other gases such as N2 and O2 levels in parts per million. The membrane performs functionally as a gas chromatograph, separating various gaseous components in time. This allows effective use of the highly sensitive electro – optical sensor. It is important to note this sensor is useful in detecting amounts of liquid radioactive waste, of which NOx is a by product.

Application: The nuclear industry would be an application where continuous monitoring of NOx and other contaminants are required. Other applications include gaseous sensors, instrumental in pollution detectors and smog detection.

Availability: Completing research – lab feasibility will be ready in 12 months.

The MCP can also be used as a microchannel Proteomics array and can detect and measure up to 100,000 proteins of any species. Most importantly, the high sensitivity of the system will permit simultaneous discrimination of low - abundance proteins and polypedtides, as well as high – abundance proteins.

Application: Automated proteomics array for basic medical research, clinical diagnostics and drug discovery.

Availability: Working prototype in 2003.

Etched Silicon Wafer 300um x 5um x 5um

This system offers quantitative detection and monitoring of bacterial and viral contamination as well as drugs in saliva or sputum, thus avoiding problems with blood and urinary testing. This discrete system uses a saliva or sputum sample, instead of urine or blood to detect drugs or transmission of food born or respiratory diseases. The POC system is highly sensitive (5 pg/mL - e.g. marijuana and cocaine), highly specific, and can produce test results in under 10 minutes. This system is portable, compact, easy to use, and features a low cost mass producible cartridge.

Application: This system can easily measure bacterial and viral contamination prior to entering hospitals, cruise ships, schools, food industry facilities and military installations. Drug, hormone and metabolites detection for pharmaceutical and health care industries. This can also be used to detect biological and chemical warfare agents.

Availability: Completing research.

The POC corneal mapping system will take real-time precise measurements of the corneal shape during photorefractive keratotomy, which is widely used to correct visual acuity. Current instrumentation can only measure the corneal shape several days after the procedure. The POC system can be used during the procedure and can accommodate the uneven surfaces caused by the laser procedure. Our solution provides accurate corneal mapping during lasik procedures and gives corneal shape information with the amount of removal tissue. Doctors can take immediate measurements and make corrections with greater accuracy during the procedure.

Application: Speckle interferometer for corneal mapping and precise measurement systems.

Availability: Lab demonstration to be completed in 2003.

MPA for automated Detection of proteins consists of three components: a microfluidic chip, a microfluidic ststion and a processing/analyzing station. This highly sensitive technique combined with a massively parallel automated analysis array yields ultrahigh throughput. The microchip will consume only nanoliters of sample and reagents.

Application: Simultaneous assay of multiple cancer-related protein markers in unpurified sample body fluids and/or tissue lysate in hours. MPA facilitates early diagnosis of cancer, improve tumor treatment efficiency and save life of thousands of people.

Availability: Accomplishing proof of concept laboratory demonstration in 2003. High-throughput, precise-isolation, and high sensitivity quantitative analysis of a low abundance protein (P-glycoprotein) in unpurified cancer cell line lysate has been demonstrated.

A pain free Laser Lancing device has been developed for taking blood samples from experimental animal models. The stress and pain of other sampling methods cause an immediate change in hormonal status of lab animals. Laser Lancing is a painless and stress free way to acquire a true profile of physiological parameters. This approach will improve the study and test results of biological and medical research. Eventually the POC lancing devise can be used in biomedical research at universities and pharmacological companies.

Application: Biomedical and pharmacology research.

Available: Research completed – lab demonstration available in 2003.

The spatial light modulation performed by POC’s liquid crystal lens can perform separate measurements of venous and arterial blood oxygenation of the retina. For the first time it is possible to conduct non – invasive measurements of brain oxygenation in the emergency room, intensive care, first responsive emergency rescue, or on the battlefield.

Application: Emergency, hospital, and battlefield.

Availability: Research completed.