Cree Wins Laser, LED Contract for Detecting Anthrax

DURHAM, NC, March 22 -- Cree Inc. said it had won a government contract to develop light-emitting diodes and laser diodes for use in systems that could detect the presence of anthrax and other biological agents. The light-emitting diodes and laser diodes will emit at 280 to 340 nm, Cree said.

The company said the total estimated value of the contract was $26.55 million of which the government is providing $14.5 million, if fully funded, over a four-year period. The contract was issued by the U.S. Army Robert Morris Acquisition Center for the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.