SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Redfern Integrated Optics, Inc. (RIO) announced today that the company is a key member of the team chosen by NIST to develop advanced optical sensing systems to monitor the health and safety of the nation's infrastructure. NIST's new Technology Innovation Program (TIP) will fund the development of a network of distributed, integrated sensor architectures that will monitor and protect bridges, roadways, dams, water systems and other critical public infrastructure.
RIO will develop the laser source technology for these advanced systems, which will be based on its high-performance Planar External Cavity Laser technology platform, PLANEX(tm). The low noise and narrow linewidth of lasers based on this highly integrated platform will enable cost-effective high performance systems with high reliability and low cost of ownership.
"The focus of the NIST TIP program is to support research and development initiatives that will deliver a high value to our society through important infrastructure projects deployed in the coming years," stated Dr. Radu Barsan, chairman, president and CEO of RIO. "The scope and national importance of these large infrastructure projects merit the significant matching investment provided by NIST to RIO and partners Distributed Sensor Technologies, Inc., Optiphase, Inc. and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Close collaboration and integration of the specialized, best-in-class, multi-disciplinary technologies being developed by the partners will result in the best return on this investment."
The TIP award entitled "Fiber Sensing System for Civil Infrastructure Health Monitoring" of which RIO is a member, will provide matching funds of over $4 million as part of a total program cost of $8.55 million over a three year period, ending in January 2012. The award funding in the TIP program was established as part of the 2007 America COMPETES Act to support, promote, and accelerate innovation in the United States through high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need.
About RIO Inc.
Redfern Integrated Optics, Inc. (RIO) develops and manufactures optical transmitters based on its proprietary planar external cavity laser technology (PLANEX(tm)), which delivers unique price-performance advantages in multiple markets. RIO's product lines include 1550nm single frequency narrow line width lasers with very low noise and long-reach 2.5-10 Gbps directly modulated transmitters, with DWDM wavelength stability, at low cost, small size and with low power dissipation. For more information, please visit www.rio-inc.com.