1st Detect, an Astrotech Subsidiary, Builds Upon Its Patent Portfolio for Chemical Analyzers
May 04 2016 - 7:05AM
Business Wire
1st Detect Corporation, a subsidiary of
Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC), was awarded three
patents by the United States Patent Office (USPTO) enabling the
field use of ion trap chemical analyzers in harsh and demanding
environments. These recent awards bring 1st Detect’s total patent
count to 16 U.S. and 10 international issued and 8 U.S. and 12
international pending as of April 30, 2016.
“These patents build upon our expanding IP portfolio that
protects our technology enabling advanced chemical analysis to be
performed reliably under adverse conditions commonly found in the
field,” said Thomas B. Pickens III, Chairman and CEO of Astrotech
Corporation. “Safeguarding this ability maintains a key
differentiator, particularly as we pursue a broader range of
markets from the battlefield to the factory floor. We are excited
about the market opportunities, and, in fact, several Fortune 500
companies are already evaluating our chemical analyzers for use in
the semiconductor and the food & beverage industries.”
- U.S. Patent No. 9,312,112 titled,
‘Evacuating a Sample Chamber’ describes an alternative method for
introducing volatile and semi-volatile samples into a mass
spectrometer. The use of swab sampling for the collection and
transfer of illicit materials to chemical analyzers for threat
detection is widely used throughout the security sector. However,
the standard practice of heating these swabs to achieve gaseous
transfer of the sample to the analyzer often results in thermal
degradation of the analytes, thereby limiting one’s ability to
detect thermally sensitive components. This most recent patent from
1st Detect provides a novel approach to achieving efficient
transfer by utilizing reduced pressure conditions to increase the
analytes’ vapor pressure. In this way, improved transfer of the
un-degraded sample can be accomplished.
- Japanese Patent No. 5,895,034 titled,
‘End cap voltage control of ion traps’ represents another
significant innovation in ion trap technology pioneered by 1st
Detect. This enhancement to the design and operation of
miniaturized ion trap mass spectrometers enables improved system
performance in terms of extending both the range of ion masses that
can be detected as well as the range of sample concentrations that
can be monitored. These improvements allow 1st Detect’s
miniaturized mass spectrometers to obtain levels of performance
that have previously only been obtainable by much larger
systems.
- U.S. Patent No. 9,299,545 titled,
‘Systems and Methods for Calibrating Mass Spectrometers’ represents
a key technological advantage for 1st Detect to deploy its novel
miniature chemical analyzer technology into security and industrial
applications where the size and complexity of traditional mass
spectrometers have prevented their use. The technology protected by
this patent allows the mass calibration system of the instrument to
operate successfully regardless of orientation or vibration, while
minimizing size and cost. It also allows easy servicing of the
calibration element without the need for tools or advanced
training.
About 1st Detect Corporation
1st Detect, a subsidiary of Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ:
ASTC), develops, manufactures, and sells powerful, sensitive, and
accurate chemical analyzers that streamline processes for
industrial use in the food and beverage, semiconductor,
pharmaceutical, healthcare, research, and environmental markets, as
well as for government applications used in explosive and chemical
warfare detection for the Department of Homeland Security and the
military. The company’s core mass spectrometry technology was first
developed under an agreement with NASA for use on the International
Space Station. The unit is capable of detecting a wide variety of
chemicals including residues and vapors from explosives, chemical
warfare agents, toxic chemicals, food & beverage contaminants,
and pollutants. These capabilities, combined in an
economically priced, transportable, and ruggedized solution, make
it an ideal tool for a variety of applications. For more
information on 1st Detect Corporation, please visit
www.1stDetect.com.
About Astrotech Corporation
Astrotech Corporation (NASDAQ: ASTC) is an innovative science
and technology company that invents, acquires and commercializes
technological innovations sourced from research institutions,
laboratories, universities, and internally and then funds, manages,
and builds proprietary, scalable start-up companies for profitable
divestiture to market leaders to maximize shareholder value.
Sourced from Oak Ridge Laboratory’s chemical analyzer research,
1st Detect develops, manufactures, and sells
chemical analyzers that streamline processes for industrial use in
the airport security, food and beverage, semiconductor,
pharmaceutical, research and environmental markets, and the
military. Sourced from decades of image research from the
laboratories of IBM and Kodak combined with classified satellite
technology from government laboratories, Astral Images sells
film to digital image enhancement, defect removal and color
correction software, and post processing services providing
economically feasible conversion of television and feature 35mm and
16mm films to the new 4K ultra-high definition (UHD), high-dynamic
range (HDR) format necessary for the new generation of digital
distribution. Sourced from NASA’s extensive microgravity research,
Astrogenetix is applying a fast-track on-orbit discovery
platform using the International Space Station to develop vaccines
and other therapeutics. Demonstrating its entrepreneurial strategy,
Astrotech management sold its state-of-the-art satellite servicing
operations to Lockheed Martin in August 2014. Astrotech has
operations throughout Texas and is headquartered in Austin. For
information, please visit www.astrotechcorp.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are
made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements are subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to be materially different from the
forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not
limited to, whether we can successfully develop our proprietary
technologies and whether the market will accept our products and
services, as well as other risk factors and business considerations
described in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission
filings including the annual report on Form 10-K. Any
forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated in
light of these important risk factors. The Company assumes no
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160504005306/en/
Astrotech CorporationRaj Mellacheruvu, 512-485-9530Chief
Operating OfficerorInvestor RelationsLHACathy Mattison and Kirsten
Chapman, 415-433-3777ir@astrotechcorp.com
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