LightPath Technologies and CREOL enter into research agreement on moldable IR glass
Orlando, FL--LightPath Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: LPTH), which produces optical components and assemblies, has entered into a research agreement with the University of Central Florida's (UCF) College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL) to develop new processes for the handling and molding of IR glasses. Funding for LightPath's agreement was partially obtained through matching funds available from the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTC).
Molded aspherics
LightPath is working on low-cost IR optics for the defense, military, and commercial IR markets. The company is targeting such high-growth applications as IR countermeasures, thermography, gas sensing, and thermal imaging for commercial night-vision systems. LightPath intends to use new techniques developed under its UCF agreement to increase production volumes and reduce the cost of its molded aspheric IR lenses.
"Infrared technology has numerous real-world applications, and sophisticated molding processes and glass materials provide the foundation to help drive down costs of optics used to build infrared devices," said Jim Gaynor, CEO of LightPath Technologies. "We are excited to have the opportunity to work with the exceptional staff at UCF to develop new processing techniques for moldable infrared glasses."
The collaborative funding by LightPath and the FHTC will support a research team consisting of two postgraduate students led by CREOL professor Ayman Abouraddy.
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John Wallace | Senior Technical Editor (1998-2022)
John Wallace was with Laser Focus World for nearly 25 years, retiring in late June 2022. He obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and physics at Rutgers University and a master's in optical engineering at the University of Rochester. Before becoming an editor, John worked as an engineer at RCA, Exxon, Eastman Kodak, and GCA Corporation.