--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--
September 20, 2011
Contact: Tatiana Brailovskaya, Director of Communications, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences; (207) 633-9633; tbrailovskaya@bigelow.org
Bigelow Laboratory Signs Exclusive Technology License Agreement with Satlantic, Inc.
WEST BOOTHBAY HARBOR, ME -- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences has signed an Exclusive Technology License Agreement with Satlantic, Inc., an advanced ocean technology company based in Halifax, Nova Scotia that develops precision optical sensors for aquatic research and water quality monitoring. The Agreement provides Satlantic with exclusive use rights to Bigelow Laboratory's Underway Aiming System (UAS™) software developed by Senior Research Scientist Dr. Barney Balch and Research Associate Bruce Bowler.
“World-class marine scientists and field technicians have been using Satlantic's innovative oceanographic and aquatic sensors for optical research, satellite calibration, validation, and environmental assessments for over two decades,” said Satlantic’s CEO Dr. Marlon Lewis. “We have a long track record of successful commercialization of science from the world's leading research institutions, and will continue to fund development of new environmental monitoring technology based on leading research. Bigelow Laboratory has always been at the forefront in developing and testing new ocean observing technologies, and we’re excited to have this unique opportunity to work together.”
“Bigelow Laboratory has always maintained a focus on ocean optics,” said Dr. Barney Balch, Senior Research Scientist in the Bigelow Ocean Observing and Optics laboratory. “Indeed, since its founding by Dr. Charles Yentsch, who recently won the prestigious Jerlov Award in optical oceanography, the Laboratory has played a special role in the field of hydrological optics. We’ve been using Satlantic instruments for years in our field work.”
“A big challenge in field optical measurements has been that, in order to relate shipboard light measurements to satellite-derived measurements, it’s absolutely essential that all shipboard sensors are aimed at highly constrained viewing angles from the sun. This is not a trivial problem on a moving ship, given that sun angles and a ship’s course are both constantly changing.”
“The UAS™ allows this aiming to be done automatically, constantly, effortlessly, and to a high degree of precision. This ultimately improves the overall accuracy of ocean light measurements, an important requirement these days for acquisition of climate-quality data,” Balch added.
“Bigelow scientists have been testing and using Satlantic sensors during research voyages for many years,” added Mark Bloom, the Laboratory’s Director of Corporate Alliances and Technology Transfer. “Now, by incorporating the UAS™ software into certain of its products, Satlantic will provide an even more enhanced ocean sensing capability.”
Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences an independent, non-profit center for global ocean research, ocean science education, and technology transfer. The Laboratory’s research ranges from microbial oceanography to the large-scale biogeochemical processes that drive ocean ecosystems and global environmental conditions. A recognized leader in Maine's emerging innovation economy, the Laboratory is spurring significant economic growth in the state through construction of a major Ocean Science and Education Campus in East Boothbay. The Laboratory’s Office of Corporate Alliances and Technology Transfer serves as a bridge between discovery science and commercialization partners.
From its early years as an optical sensor company, Satlantic, Inc. has developed collaborative research and development relationships with several world-renowned research institutes. The company has earned a reputation for innovation, outstanding quality, and diligent client support that has positioned it as a leader in the ocean sciences community. ####