Lumencor Opens Sales, Demo Center at U-PARC; IOWN to Hold First Public Event: Week in Brief: 4/5/24

Lumencor, a developer of light engines and scanners, has opened a new sales and demo center at the University of Pittsburgh Applied Research Center (U-PARC). The facility features a biological research laboratory with capabilities in stem cell and cardiac tissue culture, in support of the company’s VOLTA Scanner, a dual-laser optical system for the detection and functional analysis of transient cellular processes.

An aerial view of the city of Pittsburgh. Courtesy of Lumencor.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The Innovative Optical and Wireless Network Global Forum (IOWN Global Forum) will be holding its first public event in Vancouver, British Columbia titled “FUTURES - Powering Tomorrow with Photonics.” The hybrid half-day conference will be held April 25 at the Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel and is set to engage over 200 key stakeholders representing more than 140 organizations in the optical and wireless network technology space.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Biotech startup Kryptos Biotechnologies has raised $10 million in series A financing led by Osang Healthcare. The funding will go towards further development of Kryptos’ point-of-care molecular diagnostics system KuickTM and advancing the clinical study of respiratory combo tests, which in turn, will help Kryptos receive FDA approval by 2025. The company has also entered into a partnership with Osang Healthcare for the manufacturing and distribution of its product.

Executive members of Diamond Light Source and NPL at the memorandum signing. Courtesy of Diamond Light Source.

DIDCOT, U.K. — Diamond Light Source, the U.K.’s synchrotron light source, and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the U.K.'s national metrology institute, have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding to bring the two organizations closer together to allow students to learn about each other’s science portfolio. Part of the agreement will be the formation of a steering committee that will help shape curriculum content to meet students’ needs, as well as detailing joint meetings, networking, training, and collaborative research and skills development opportunities.

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — NUBURU, Inc., a developer of industrial blue lasers, has received a $3 million investment in the company’s common stock from strategic investors. In connection with the strategic investment, the company intends to call a special meeting of stockholders to approve the issuance of additional common stock for the purpose of acquiring controlling and non-controlling interests in one or more entities. These changes would allow for the acquisition of additional assets and the strategic diversification of the company’s business. NUBURU said it will also continue to explore capital-raising opportunities.

SILVERWATER, Australia — Semiconductor developer BluGlass Limited has closed its share purchase plan raising $5.9 million before costs. The funds will accelerate production and delivery of the company’s gallium nitride lasers, fulfillment of new and existing contracts, as well as support for additional fab capabilities and working capital.

OTTAWA, Ontario — Enablence Technologies Inc., a provider of photonics semiconductors and artificial intelligence technologies, has entered into an amendment to the loan facility established Jan. 30 with Pinnacle Island LP. The amendment will provide an additional term loan in the amount of 4.7 million CAD ($3.5 million), totaling 9 million CAD ($6.7 million) from the initial loan. As additional consideration for entering into the amending agreement, the Enablence has agreed to pay a structuring fee of 215,000 CAD ($159,000) to the lender, which will be paid in full on the maturity date.

Sony’s Airpeak drone equipped with Inertial Labs’ lidar system. Courtesy of Inertial Labs.

PAEONIAN SPRINGS, Va. — Navigation solutions company Inertial Labs has entered into a collaboration with Sony to develop a lidar system specifically for Sony’s Airpeak drone. With the collaboration, the two companies aim to advance drone capabilities in applications such as 3D modeling, aerial mapping, surveying, and cinematic videography.

SAN RAMON, Calif. — Chevron U.S.A. Inc., an integrated energy company, in collaboration with the Fab Foundation, a U.S. non-profit spun out from MIT’s Center for Bits and Atoms, have opened Fab Labs at Fort Valley State University and Florida A&M University. The Chevron Fab Labs will feature equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and electronics workstations for students and community members who will be able to use the facilities for prototyping, digital design, coding, and robotics applications.