Ion Optics Closes Funding Round

WALTHAM, Mass., June 16 -- Ion Optics Inc. announced it has closed a $2.5 million investment, the first phase of a planned $4 million Series B financing round being led by Ardesta LLC and other first-round investors.

Ion Optics has developed what it describes as breakthrough photonic crystal technology that allows precise wavelength control of infrared light. It said the most prominent application for this photonic bandgap technology is the shrinking of IR gas sensors onto a MEMS chip, which lowers cost, size and power consumption.

The company said it will use the funding to complete the design and product launch of its SensorChip products, which will be targeted to the industrial safety, indoor air quality and medical device marketplaces.

Steve Johns, co-founder and senior vice president of corporate and business development for Ardesta, said, "SensorChip, integrated with the new wireless networking and portable power technologies we have invested in, will play a huge role in enabling the 'pervasive sensing' model."

For more information, visit: www.ion-optics.com