Daily News Briefs

Catalyst Semiconductor Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., and Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions Inc. (TAOS), of Plano, Texas, announced they have signed a nonexclusive agreement to promote each others' solid-state illumination (SSI) products. Catalyst makes dedicated circuits for LED backlights, LCD displays and automotive/aircraft interior lighting, such as white LED drivers, GPI/O expanders and digitally programmable potentiometers, that incorporate ambient light sensing. TAOS, formerly the optoelectronic business unit of Texas Instruments, makes light sensor products including color sensors, light-to-frequency converters and ambient light sensors. Catalyst said it will incorporate the TAOS TSL2561 light-to-digital converter into its future application notes, evaluation boards and reference designs. . . . Jmar Technologies Inc. has entered into an agreement to beta-test models of its BioSentry waterborne microorganism monitoring system with the Olivenhain Municipal Water District, in northern San Diego County. The district will use three BioSentry units to continuously monitor water quality at various points in its treatment plant. Test results and evaluations will be shared with water producers and suppliers throughout the US. . . . David A. Saperstein has joined the scientific advisory board of Visient Therapeutics, a Seattle, Wash., subsidiary of Light Sciences Corp., the developer of Litx light infusion technology. Litx uses a photoreactive agent (LS11) activated by noncoherent light infusion devices to treat a variety of disorders; Visient is using the technology to treat AMD and other eye diseases. Saperstein is a practicing ophthalmologist who specializes in retinal diseases, especially age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and inherited retinal diseases. He is an associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Washington in Seattle and was formerly an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Emory University.